I sit cross -legged on the floor with my hands in prayer pose saying to the class, "Take a deep breath in and exhale out everything you need to let go of. " Am I just saying those words or am I actually doing them? How much of what we say during our classes are we...
There has been plenty of research over the years on the benefits of brain breaks for children. Whether it is in a traditional classroom, a homeschool classroom, or just recognizing that your child needs to change gears to calm down, refocus, or release anxiety within...
Heart opening poses are one of the best ways to get children interested in doing yoga. They really stretch the chest and sternum, strengthen the back, and encourage our physical body to open up to allow our emotional body to grow. Kids love the symbolism behind...
Although kids’ yoga has become much more popular in recent years, kids can always benefit from going deeper into the aspects of yoga beyond the physical postures. In other words, they need to ‘break the ice’ with yoga itself and this is a great opportunity for...
“Highest happiness comes upon the yogi whose mind is calmed,” says the Bhagavad Gita. Easier said than done. We all have thoughts that cause us to get on that hamster wheel and ride it continuously going nowhere. Sometimes, the hardest part of our yoga practice is...
Namaste. You know the word. You’ve heard it before. You almost always think “yoga” when you hear the word, Namaste. But, what does it mean, actually? In a very literal sense, Namaste means, “I bow to you”. It is a form of namaskar, which in many parts of India and...
We kids' yoga teachers often get asked how one can implement yoga in the classroom. School can be stressful and each hour filled to the max, leaving kids and teachers busier, and more dizzied, than ever. Some schools already have yoga programs in place for their...
I love to use yoga cards in my yoga classes! There are many ways to integrate them into your class. You can also play with them at home with your child for a family game night! Here are my reviews of the card decks that I own: Yoga & Mindfulness: Practices for...
When we yogis say you can practice yoga from anywhere, we mean it! One place where you can most definitely fit in a little yoga is from your bed. It helps kick-start your energy in the morning or conversely, calm your nighttime anxiety in the evening. It benefits...
Today’s kids are under a lot of pressure. From having the perfect grades to being the best pianist, children have a lot on their plate. One of the biggest areas we see this in is high-stakes testing. Standardized tests are an oft-debated topic (even amongst...
When we help kids deal with anxiety in yoga class, there are two main methods we can use: 1) releasing the tension of anxiety, and 2) redirecting their efforts and attention in a positive way. Below are some ideas on how to help kids explore their minds and bodily...
“Are there any boys taking your yoga class?” If I had a dollar for every time I have been asked this question by a parent who wants to sign their son up for one of my yoga classes, but wants to make sure there are other boys in the class, I would have about $25! I...
It can be difficult to get your “namaste” on in the mornings when all you really want to do is stay in bed. Good news--you can actually do both! While the benefits of getting up in the morning and doing a few sun salutations are numerous, sometimes actually rolling...
"Looking intently with an unwavering gaze at a small point until tears are shed is known as trataka..." (Hatha Yoga Pradapika, 2:31) Trataka Sadhana is a deceptively simple practice. To the outside observer, you just stare at a candle. That's it. How can that be...
“Meditation takes FOREVER”. “I don’t have time to meditate.” “I just can’t remember to do my meditations”. Does this sound like you? (It does ME!). Meditation is that really tricky part of a yoga practice that a lot of us like to pretend doesn’t exist. It’s...
Watch at your leisure!
Watch at your leisure!
