This is Part 3 of a four part series on Om for Kids and Teens. Enjoy Part 1: Om the Sound of the Universe,  Part 2: Chanting OM: Teaching Kids to Chant (Video) and coming soon Part 4: The Benefits of Om.

When and Where Is Om Appropriate?

In the Studio

In private yoga studios and classes I often chant “om” at the beginning and end of each session. This helps to open and connect the chakras, bringing us into harmony with ourselves and one another, and creates a space between the busyness of life and yoga class. Most children really like to chant “om” and look forward to this ritual. I’ve even had some kids specifically remind me to “om” before class ends if they think I’m going to rush them out the door with only a “namaste”.

“Om is like a tuning fork, it brings everyone to the same point.” ~Manorama

Sometimes though the students aren’t really into it. Often a group of tweens/teens may be reluctant, embarrassed to chant in a group, or may think chanting is a little too “out there.” You can either persevere and hopefully convert them to the power of “om,” or not. At times it may be best to back off and allow children and teens to discover yoga in stages and steps, accepting what they are prepared to accept, as they are prepared to do so. If this means leaving “om” out of class, or including it occasionally, then do so.

In the School

Most often I follow the children’s lead when introducing chanting in schools. If they are really excited about learning to “om” properly then I’ll teach it (always without Hindu references). If they don’t bring it up, I leave it alone.

Many schools are keen on bringing the physical and mental benefits of yoga to their classrooms, but understandably want to stay well away from the spiritual. Respect is necessary.  Many of the benefits of chanting have nothing to do with the spiritual connection, so feel free to explain why it is valuable citing it’s physiological and mental effects. More on this in the upcoming Part 4: The Benefits of Om.

What’s your experience with teaching “om” and other chants to children and teens in various situations?

Related posts:

1. Chanting OM: Teaching Kids to Chant {Video} Today Alea has joined me. She is going to learn...
2. OM The Sound of the Universe One of the easiest, and most approachable, ways to teach...
3. Finding Your Still Quiet Place with Amy Saltzman Join us for easy to implement techniques which are proven...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

5 Days To Increase Love in Your Life

Make your Valentine’s week more loving by connecting with yourself and others in a positive, respectful way. From Monday to Friday of Valentine’s Week put into practice these simple daily tasks and watch your heart embrace goodness and joy with appreciation and compassion. Get your family and friends involved too.

It’s easy to cultivate love in your life with the YIMS Valentine’s Week Tender Loving Care Challenge.

Monday: Give the Gift of Love

Tell each member of your family you love them. Look them in the eye and let them know the depth of your feelings. Write a note and slip it into their lunch bag. If they live far away, send them a quick e-mail, e-card or Facebook message. If you can, pick up the phone, Facetime or Skype them so they can see you and hear you as you express your love. Simple or profound, doesn’t matter. Just let your family know how much they mean to you.

Tuesday: Increase Confidence w/ Compliments

Tell the people in your life what you admire about them. It could be your kids, spouse, co-workers, boss, teacher, neighbor, friend, or a stranger on the street. Express how much you like their natural style, how they take on challenges, their new haircut, a piece of jewelry, their smile, the kindness they show to others, etc. The best compliments are those which are specific and sincere. Compliments are a wonderful boost to anyone’s day so be generous.

Wednesday: Share the Love of Positive Affirmations

Affirmations are a powerful way to access your sub-conscious. Share positive, encouraging, heart-felt messages with those important to you, including yourself. Write them on post-it notes, cards, homemade Valentine’s, paper plates, poster-board, Facebook messages, Twitter updates, lipstick on the mirror…everywhere and anywhere. Have fun, be creative. Some ideas to get the ball rolling: Believe in Yourself, Love with an open heart, You are Fabulous, Sweeter than Candy, Smile from deep inside, Share the joy, Abundance abounds. Photo from ChildLight Yoga Facebook Page.

Thursday: Indulge in a Hand or Foot Massage

Healing touch is a wonderful gift. Take a few moments and connect physically and emotionally with someone. You don’t need to be an expert, simply use confident strokes, gently giving attention to all areas, especially on hands: the fingers & fleshy part at the base of the thumb, and on feet: the toes & the tender areas of the arch. For specifics watch this video on how to give a fab foot massage.

Friday: Relax w/ Loving Visualization

Spend 5-10 minutes lying in savasana while focusing on opening your heart. Let go of old hurts. Clear your heart and mind of those things which are holding you back. Soften and let go. Allow space within your chest for the heart to rest comfortably and perform it’s proper function. Focus on your heart center, anahata chakra, and tap into your true heart’s desire. Fill your body with compassionate awareness and peace. Take this feeling of contentment and hope with you throughout your day and share it with others.

Leave a comment letting us know how the YIMS Valentine’s Week TLC Challenge went in your life. Have fun cultivating love!

More Yoga Valentine’s Day Ideas

For more yoga inspired ideas on celebrating Valentine’s Day visit

• Kids Valentine’s Day Yoga Class: a heart centered practice
• play Sending Joy: fill the the entire world with good intentions and watch it make our own life more loving
• In Search of a Softened Heart healing & opening for teens and adults
• Give Love: A Valentine’s Day Yoga Lesson Plan from OMazing Kids Yoga
• enjoy this Loving Kindness Meditation
• play Hearts Hide ‘n Seek: increase intuition & sensitivity

photo courtesy of lifelikeapps

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Music to Express Gratitude

Thanksgiving Yoga Playlist

• Turkey in the Straw
• Over the River and Through the Woods
• Thanksgiving Day by John McCutcheon
• Thank You For the Music by ABBA
• Thank You by Dido
• Kind & Generous by Natalie Merchant
• What a Wonderful World by Louie Armstrong
• I Thank You by Sam & Dave
• The Thanksgiving Song by Mary Chapin Carpenter
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole
• Thank You, Mom by Good Charlotte
• Thanksgiving Theme by Vince Guaraldi from “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”
• Beautiful by Marillion
• Sanctuary by Donna De Lory

Thanksgiving Kids & Teens Yoga Class

Related posts:

1. A Day at Kids Yoga Camp Children are often intrigued by the idea of yoga camp....
2. Kids Yoga and the Power of Storytelling Explore the magic that happens whenever you combine oral storytelling...
3. Successful Adapted Yoga for Youth with Special Needs An innovative adapted yoga approach is proving highly successful in...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

San Quentin Prison is not the typical locale for a yoga class. James Fox, founder of the Prison Yoga Project,  however teaches three classes a week here in an effort to bring the rehabilitative benefits of yoga to inmates. For the past decade James has dedicated himself to at-risk populations in detention centers, residential treatment facilities and prisons. He is a firm believer in the power of yoga and mindfulness to assist in working with emotional and psychological issues. Incarceration leads to severe mental, emotional and physical distress with many suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Helping prisoners learn non-reactivity, self-control and self acceptance is key. Join James as he shares his extraordinary experiences and compassionate insights. Your yoga practice may never be the same.

Original Air Date: October 28, 2011

Learn more about the Prison Yoga Project on their website, Facebook and Twitter @PrisonYoga.

You can also access a 4 part series of articles regarding yoga for prisoners on Elephant Journal.

1. Do Prisoners Deserve Yoga
2. Know about yoga & mediation for at-risk & incarcerated youth
3. Yoga at San Quentin: Prisoner Interviews & Photos
4. Interview with San Quentin Yoga Teacher

Watch for our upcoming interview with Still Quiet Place founder Dr. Amy Saltzman. Download any of our extensive repertoire of interviews from Yoga In My School on  iTunes includes conversations with Leslie Kaminoff, Shakta Khalsa, YogaDork, Anna Guest Jelly and more.

Related posts:

1. Mindfulness for Youth with Dr Dan Siegel Discover the importance of mindful awareness in youth to foster...
2. From Monkey Mind to Peace of Mind Dr Catherine Phillips, founder of the Mindfulness Institute.ca discusses MBSR...
3. Successful Adapted Yoga for Youth with Special Needs An innovative adapted yoga approach is proving highly successful in...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Comment below to enter this giveaway. Contest ends Friday, October 14th at 9:00 pm MDT.

The good folks over at Addriya have done it again. Created another fab yoga card deck, this time with a focus on small spaces.

Yoga for Small Spaces includes 52 large sized (5″x7″), heavy duty cards that can withstand lots of use. Each card features a yoga activity which can be done in a small space such as an office, classroom or airplane. The front of each card has a fun graphic which shows the pose and an object the pose is inspired by. The back is packed with information including step-by-step instructions, benefits, modifications and a positive affirmation.

One of the things I like best about the cards is the color coding system. Each card has a border which defines the health and behavior benefits such as Red: to help ground and support especially good for people that are nervous, anxious or fearful or Yellow to help foster self-esteem, risk-taking and leadership. I find this super helpful as a reference tool when preparing classes.

For years I have taught a popular Yoga with a Chair class in schools and for professional development workshops. Everyone is always amazed at the thorough and fun workout you can get by sitting in a chair. This yoga deck added to my repertoire of poses and is handy for a quick yoga game.

So if you think you can’t do yoga unless you move the furniture or have a yoga mat, block, strap and other props, think again. With Yoga for Small Spaces yoga can be done anywhere and the poses are ideal for all ages and abilities.

You can purchase your own deck for $19.99 from the Addriya on-line store.

To enter to win leave a comment below sharing the most unique location you’ve ever done yoga.

Additional Entries:

• Follow Addriya Yoga on Facebook and comment back here
• Share this review on Facebook with an @yogainmyschool.com mention (multiple entries allowed-max of one per day)
• Tweet it including an @DonnaKFreeman mention (multiple entries allowed- max of three per day, one hour apart): “Small Spaces Yoga Cards #giveaway @DonnaKFreeman @addriya“

Addriya generously donated resources for this review and giveaway. The opinions expressed here are completely my own.

Contest ends Friday, October 14th at 9:00 pm MDT. Winners will be contacted by e-mail and will have 48 hours to reply. Winners names will be published here, on Facebook and Twitter.

Update: Congrats to Julie Johnston who was very excited to win the Yoga for Small Spaces card deck.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Stephanie Gottlob and Yuji Oka are on a mission. These two are the creators of Movement, a physical re-education program for children and teens with special needs. Their unique training program includes an holistic somatic approach including adaptive yoga. Their goal is to teach a core physical vocabulary of 12 movements through creative play. They join us to talk about their innovative approach and its incredible success in helping youth with ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome, hyperactivity and emotional disturbances. Youth in their program learn not only physical skills but self-confidence, social skills and control. Based out of the Spiral Movement Centre in Toronto, Canada, Stephanie and Yuji transform lives one spin, hop and breath at at time.

Original Air Date: October 3, 2011

Connect with Stephanie and Yuji at Movement for Kids with Special Needs or the Spiral Movement Center on Facebook

Access our extensive library of interviews with leaders in the yoga and mindfulness community on iTunes. Guests include John Friend, Elena Brower, Cora Wen, Waylon Lewis, Sydney Solis, Sadie Nardini and many more.

Related posts:

1. Mindfulness for Youth with Dr Dan Siegel Discover the importance of mindful awareness in youth to foster...
2. Back to School Yoga ABCs Back to school yoga ABC's: essential school supplies which will...
3. Daily Act of Kindness: Breathe This is an excerpt from Integrity is a Muscle: a...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Yogainmyschool Webinar Teacher Training and Professional Development.

Webinar training is a virtual classroom providing access to the skills and expertise of world class training from the comfort of your home, school or work place. Using your computer you are linked to a live webinar presentation where topics relating to teaching yoga to children and teens are explored in depth. Learn from and interact directly with Donna Freeman, the founder of Yogainmyschool.com and author of Once Upon a Pose.

Our training is ideal for teachers, parents, yoga instructors, day-care workers, youth leaders and professionals who want to share the joy and benefits of yoga with children and youth. You will learn tried and true techniques that will impact your life while you make a difference in the lives of children and teenagers.

Our first webinar is: ABCs of Teaching Yoga to Children: Essential Skills, Attitudes & Guidelines for Success

• Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2011
• Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM MDT
• Cost $39.00 USD

Click HERE to register.

Quality – Convenience – Excellence

Watch for upcoming Yoga for Literacy training. Our three part series includes:

• Once Upon a Pose: What, Why & How of Yoga Adventure Stories
• Reading Readiness with a Twist: Yoga & the Development of Early Reading Skills
• Ohmazing Children’s Literature: Books that Rock in Kids Yoga Class

Please sign up for our newsletter (you’ll even get a Free copy of The Pet Store when you do) so you don’t miss any details and announcements. Sign up form in Right Side Bar.

Related posts:

1. Back to School Yoga ABCs Back to school yoga ABC's: essential school supplies which will...
2. Yoga for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Discover how yoga helps individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder....

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

YogaSlacker Jason Magness lives an unconventional life. With no fixed address and a penchant for living life on the edge of adventure racing he knows to expect life to go in unexpected directions. From mountaineering in Alaska and studying physics with his twin brother at the University of Oklahoma to traveling the world giving AcroYoga and YogaSlacker workshops Jason’s life has taken some interesting turns. Join us as he shares the lessons he has learned through his adventures and by combining the dynamics of slacklining with the meditation of yoga.

Original Air Date: August 24, 2011

Connect with Jason through the Team YogaSlackers Blog and Facebook Page.

Mark Your Calendar: Our next interview is Friday, Sept 2nd with Shakta Kaur Khalsa, author of Fly Like a Butterfly and founder of Radiant Child Yoga.

We are beginning to put together the all star line-up for Reflections 2011 which will run throughout December: Amy Ippoliti and Christina Sell already confirmed. Who else would you like to hear from?

Related posts:

1. From Monkey Mind to Peace of Mind Dr Catherine Phillips, founder of the Mindfulness Institute.ca discusses MBSR...
2. Mindfulness for Youth with Dr Dan Siegel Discover the importance of mindful awareness in youth to foster...
3. Life, Light and Kundalini Yoga with Hari Bhajan Khalsa Yoga has been a constant for nearly 40 years for...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Yoga Skills For Your Backpack

It’s back to school time and families everywhere are busy buying supplies, sharpening pencils and trying to resume something of a schedule after a summer filled with adventures, sun and free time to explore and grow. Thankfully our summer yoga practice (gotta love yoga in the park and yoga camp) has provided a wonderful foundation for the kids as they head back to school. Here are some yoga ABC’s which will help youth succeed in the classroom as well as in life. Be sure to include them in your child’s backpack along with the books, paper, markers and other essential school supplies.

A is for Attitude

Your attitude will influence every aspect of your life. When you approach your yoga practice with joyful enthusiasm, it is a creative, energetic, fluid experience. If you begrudgingly hit the mat you’re not going to get as much out of it, though you will feel better from moving your body and engaging your mind. Know that how you approach your school day will impact what you get out of it. Be positive. You’ve got to be there anyway, you may as well eek as much joy out of it as possible.

B is for Basics

When learning yoga asanas (poses) you start with beginner poses and work toward a more advanced, subtle expression of the postures. So it is with school work. You’ve got to master addition and subtraction before moving onto algebra. Sometimes we want to rush through the beginning stages to get to the fancy stuff, but the basic work and practice we do lays an important foundation to future growth and learning.

C is for Confidence

Remember how it felt the first time you rocked Half Moon Pose, Crow Pose or another pose you’d been working on? I do! Keep that feeling in mind at school. Be confident that you can meet any challenge. Be your best, giving genuine effort, and you just might surprise yourself. Let go of others opinions. Don’t worry if you are one of the popular crowd or not. Be yourself and know that you are amazing.

D is for Deliberate

When coming into yoga poses you follow specific instructions on where to place your feet, hands and other body parts. As you deliberately follow these instructions you are able to a achieve nuanced, energetic pose which at first glance may have appeared impossible. Be deliberate at school as well. Listen to your teachers. Follow instructions carefully. Proceed one step at at time. For example in yoga we do inward spiral before outward spiral. There is a reason to this. Be deliberate as you engage in school work. The results are well worth it.

E is for Energy

Prana (life force) resides within each one of us. We are able to direct, control and change our energy through breathing, meditation and asana practice. Strive to cultivate a calm, receptive energy. At times you may need to increase your energy through vigorous practice. Other times you may need to become more grounded and centered. Know that you are in charge and can influence your physical, mental and emotional energy.

F is for Focus

Ah, Tree Pose…so many lessons, one of which is single minded focus. Transfer that ability to the classroom and you will be a successful student. Focusing on and completing assignments, homework and other tasks is essential. There are tons of distractions which can interfere with the important work of learning. Focus on what needs to be done, get it done, then enjoy a sense of accomplishment while you indulge in your distraction of choice.

There I’ve got you started. Practicing yoga with kids and teens helps equip them with essential skills which will help them to do their enthusiastic best in and out of the classroom. Remember that what we learn on the mat are lessons for life. What other essential yoga ABC’s can you think of?

Related posts:

1. A Day at Kids Yoga Camp Children are often intrigued by the idea of yoga camp....
2. Ten Trees: Varieties of Tree Pose Discover how to take a basic yoga tree pose and...
3. Daily Act of Kindness: Breathe This is an excerpt from Integrity is a Muscle: a...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

This is an excerpt from Integrity is a Muscle: a program developed to empower children and teens as they connect with themselves developing a firm foundation of skills and attitudes in order to increase identity and understanding and withstand negative forces.

It may seem simple but the greatest act of kindness you can perform is to breathe. Not the everyday, not paying attention to it, kind of breath, but one that is long, slow and deep. Breathe in a way that invites you to slow down, releasing the tension in your body. Turn your awareness inward. Connect with yourself.

As you are breathing listen carefully. Close your eyes if it helps to focus your attention. Don’t force it. Allow the breath to naturally expand the lungs and rib cage, gently finding space. Be relaxed, yet alert. Quiet and still the mind. Allow it to drift with the inhalation and the exhalation like a toy boat floating along a stream. Let go. Tap into your true nature, the inner core of joy, serenity and creative potential which lies inside you. Smile gently from deep inside.

As you breathe deeply and slowly, the chatter in your head will quiet, the fluctuations of the mind still. You will clear your mind, increase healthy and vitality, realize greater understanding and focus, and discover a reservoir of peace.

If you enjoyed this post be sure to sign up for our newsletter to hear more about Integrity is a Muscle as it is released Fall 2011. You’ll also receive a copy of our free e-book The Pet Store.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.