How do we teach kids about giving and being gracious? What behaviors demonstrate gratitude? From a young age we tell kids they need to say thank you when ever they receive something. Kids learn that the response to being given something whether a physical thing or a...
All of us are bombarded with advertisements, pressured to always gather more, and rarely satisfied by simply being. This is especially true for our children, as they may not yet have the ability to filter through the materialistic messages; instead, their "need" for...
Take a big breath. Inhale, blow up your belly like a balloon. Exhale, pop your balloon. Breathe with your diaphragm…. Whether teaching adults or children, there is a big focus in every yoga class on the breath. So, what’s the big deal? Pranayama is the word we use...
Cuando tomé mi curso de yoga para niños tenía muy clara la meta: acercar a mi bebé al yoga. Era fácil y sencilla, bueno, eso creía yo, hasta que empecé a poner todos mis conocimientos en práctica con mi hijo de dos años y dos meses. El resultado, para no extenderme se...
Una técnica increíble que aprendí en mi entrenamiento de profesora de yoga para niños, fue la de el “bastón de la palabra”. No sólo se trata de una manualidad infantil sencilla y muy divertida, sino que además resulta una útil herramienta para ayudar a mantener el...
In my house "Yoga" is an everyday word. One or all of us can be seen practicing or just playing as we work on a various posture. Even my 11-month old, Jewel, can be seen going from Downward Dog to Upward Dog multiple times a day. You get it, we are a Yoga family. It...
(Children already know how to calm themselves naturally with crayon and paper. This article is for the adults that forgot this hidden gem.) Mandalas seem to be everywhere nowadays. I go into the local book store and they have a table dedicated to these intricate...
Stuffed animals and fuzzy, furry puppets—especially of the owl variety!—are my favorite props to engage students. There are so many types of stuffed animals and furry puppets! I usually bring small-ish ones so they fit in my bag, but sometimes I bring Timmy the...
Remember the Beanie Baby craze in the early 90s? Chances are that yes, you not only remember the craze, but you are still holding onto your favorite Beanie - or two- or three. Is you Prance the Cat collecting dust on a shelf? Or is Seaweed the Otter stuck in a box...
We've all heard the old saying, "Laughter is the best medicine". Turns out, it isn't just an old-wives'-tale. Scientist have found that laughter has the exact opposite effect on the body and mind as stress! When you laugh you: Lower your blood pressure by 6% (laughing...
Incorporating Mindfulness into your classroom or home can help your little ones grow up to be calm and focused adults. In addition to being fun, these techniques are beneficial to a child’s overall well-being! Belly Breathing Bring both hands to your belly. As you...
Can you spare a minute? Just one minute is all it takes to check out of the chaotic, busy real world, and check into your own body and mind. Mindful Minute practices are simple and effective ways to settle into an aware state, rather than just moving robotically...
Of all the mindfulness practices I have taught to children (and adults!), the Loving-Kindness Meditation is by far my favorite. The words are precise, like poetry, and their positive meaning is undeniably powerful. In fact, I use a variation of the Loving-Kindness...
Spring is a wonderful season for everyone—it’s the time of year full of growth and renewal. Welcoming the season of spring provides rituals for all of us—whether you plant new flowers or take a bike ride through the park, the repetition of a springtime activity helps...
As spring and summer approach, so do the oft dreaded tests in school. These assessments can cause loads of stress and anxiety for kids. While you may not be able to forgo the tests, you can help your child (and you), reduce the fear and stress that...
Watch at your leisure!
Watch at your leisure!
