Every morning we wake up, and before we even open our eyes or get out of bed, we strap on a backpack. Not a school backpack – you can’t touch this backpack or see it with your eyes. But it’s there. You can feel it. When it’s full, your shoulders get tired, it is hard...
There are A LOT of activities for children to participate in these days, aren't there? Every sport ever invented (including some straight from fictional stories, like Quidditch) has a team kids can try out for. Your three year old likes wearing a tutu? There's about a...
In this fractured, divisive world, is there any one thing we can all agree on? One thing that everyone can rally behind and pursue together? Anything? My answer is pretty simple: we all want to live a good, fulfilled life that brings joy to others. This may look...
First of all, how awesome is the job title "Happiness Researcher"? Apparently it is a real career and Shawn Achor is just that - a happiness researcher out of Harvard University and author of The Happiness Advantage. His TedTalk on happiness and success is one of the...
Stop what you're doing for a moment. Take a long sip of air through your nose. Good! Now exhale so slowly that you wouldn't blow out a birthday candle held right in front of your face. Congratulations! You just hacked into your body's relaxation response. Easy-peasy,...
Many of us are visual learners - we retain the most information and process most efficiently when we SEE what we are trying to learn. Get the most out of this learning style by creating an entire yoga class around the idea of copying, mirroring and matching! Yoga...
It's funny, isn't it? The place we spend the most time, day and night, is the exact same place we know the least about. Our brain is the ultimate mystery. The bunch of gooey cells and invisible stringy nerves that inhabit our skulls control EVERYTHING in our lives....
Yoga isn't just about poses and breathing. It's also a creative practice, open to children's imaginations and creative play. Use an art theme to really explore yoga in a deeper way. I Ain't Gonna Paint No More (Karen Beaumont): This was a favorite around my house, and...
The Lion King is a beloved Disney movie - first the cartoon from 1994 and then a live-action remake in 2019. Filled with humor and heart, it is the perfect theme for a fun-filled yoga class! Here are some ideas: Sleeping Lion: Form a circle. One child is the lion and...
Ask anyone to show you what yoga or meditation looks like, and most people will sit cross-legged on the floor, place their hands on their knees, close their eyes, and say, “OM.” It’s the cartoon version of a yoga practice and a great starting point for a discussion on...
**This blog article was written by (all grown-up) KAY kid, Whitney James, currently a student at Elon University in North Carolina** WHAT IS THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM? The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is part of the body’s autonomic nervous system...
It's not just an old wives' tale - taking a few deep breaths really does help you regain control in stressful or angering situations. Not only does it give you a moment to hit the pause button before you explode (or implode), but deep breaths also physiologically...
Playing games seems like simply child's play, doesn't it? You set up a situation, have pre-determined rules and a goal, and then go about reaching the goal, either competitively or cooperatively. Simple, right? Not so fast. There's an entire psychological theory that...
When it comes to raising children, we all know the basics. Kids need healthy food, a safe home, and plenty of rest. And, obviously, loads of love and support. But what about emotional health? Is there a tool or practice that may provide children a way to support...
I've been teaching kids' yoga for about eight years now and at first I was surprised by how naturally children embraced and practiced yogic principles. If given the opportunity, kids organically stretch and challenge their bodies. Babies breathe with their entire...
Watch at your leisure!
Watch at your leisure!
