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...
It’s August and it’s that time of year! That’s right - vacation time. As any parent knows, vacations are simultaneously fantastic and stressful! Between packing, travelling, eating, the incessant “are we there yet?”, and bathroom breaks, EVERYBODY needs a way to...
Self-regulation is an often overlooked, yet quite teachable, tool we can provide the littles in our lives. In all honestly, I feel like it’s only been my adulthood exposure to yoga that has really helped me develop the ability to calm myself down, think through my...
When it comes to flowers, there’s more than just lotus pose in yoga. Think of the whole life cycle of a flower, from seed to sprout to flower, then back to seed. It just begs to be done as a poetic variation of a Sun Salutation. Not to mention all the things...
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...
Can kids meditate? My answer to this is, yes, absolutely! I was pleasantly surprised the first time I realized I could just sit and meditate, however brief, even as my daughter played with her toys nearby. She came and sat down to imitate me and looked like a pro; she...
It's a tale as old as time - a child is so upset, so wound up, or so inconsolably sad that he/she cannot communicate the problem. Mom sees the struggle and gives a simple direction: take deep breaths and count to ten. And it works! Now if you asked the Mom how or why...
I remember a group of kids I taught that loved to fall! They were 2-4 years old and whenever I asked them to balance on one foot, they’d go, “Wha-, woe, woe, whoa, whoaaaaa!” and come crashing down dramatically as if they were trying to balance on a bucking bronco....
Every winter season brings a plethora of illnesses, and blogs about prevention to go with it! Most, however, do not talk about how preventing the spread of colds and flu has a lot to do with a specific yoga philosophy! What? Believe it or not, trying our best to live...
Meditation may be a new trendy buzzword, but the practice of settling your mind has developed over many centuries in several philosophical and religious traditions. Let's take a walk down Meditation Memory Lane! C.5000-3500 BCE: Wall art showing people seated in...
Let's take an in-depth look at one of the most iconic yoga postures - Downward-Facing Dog! This is filled with potential for creativity and games! Pose: Downward-Facing Dog Sanskrit: Adho Mukha Svanasana (pronounced: AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna) Sanskrit...
Turn down the lights and turn up the fun! With a little planning and a lot of creativity, you can create a memorable yoga experience for the whole family. • Decorations: Of course, this means glow sticks! You can get them at most dollar stores, so load up. Some can be...
I am a scavenger - I love to find the treasures within the junk. I think of myself as an educational MacGyver. Give me some random object and I'll figure out how to teach with it. This habit (gift?) started when I was a student-teacher, finishing up my Elementary...
“Miss Julie, did you bring those things that cover our eyes today?” This question is often the first thing asked from at least one of the kids when they see my “bag of tricks” at the start of our Yoga class. My “bag of tricks” is fully-stocked and contain my staples:...
Watch at your leisure!
Watch at your leisure!
