Yogainmyschool.com is thrilled to offer three downloadable kids yoga classes. Family Time, Man on the Moon and Tour of India are fun, engaging and a great way to teach yoga to children. Expert in yoga for children and teens, Donna Freeman leads these 30 minute classes and is joined by young yogis who demonstrate real kids practicing yoga, making the videos easy use at home or in the classroom.

Based on stories found in Once Upon a Pose, these classes reinforce themes taught in school, involve children physically, mentally and emotionally in the learning process, reduce stress through movement, breathing and relaxation, and improve mental and physical health and well-being.

Available for download in both PC and MAC formats, these videos are now available for the introductory price of only US$9.99 each.

Visit the Yogainmyschool.com Store for details/to purchase.

Practicing yoga with kids has never been easier!

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A local yoga instructor is doing her part to promote healthy living for children. Donna Freeman is the author of the new book Once Upon a Pose and today she joins us in studio. She’s also brought along some kids.

We are talking about yoga and kids and how fun it can be. But you’re specifically looking at how to get yoga into schools.

Yes, yoga in schools is a really wonderful combination of bringing the health benefits and the intellectual and emotional training into the classroom. It’s just vital to bring it into the classroom these days. Kids need these skills.

Q: What’s some of the stuff you are able to do in the classroom?

You can use what we are doing today which is a whole lot of partner poses. Partner poses develop cooperation and team work and they get kids talking with one another and working together in a really unique way.

Another thing that is nice about a school is you can use what’s in a school, a desk and a chair, to do yoga. A lot of people don’t think of that because in their typical class, which is in a studio, and there is a mat and they aren’t sure how to adapt it to a school.

Q: What are some of the benefits for kids?

Increased focus, improved concentration, their creativity skyrockets, their impulse control is greater. As well, it reduces their stress so that they are in a mental and emotional place where they’re ready to learn.

Q: And you think you can use this in different subjects?

For sure. You can use yoga in a science classroom, mathematics classroom, language arts classroom, even in an art classroom. Y0u can incorporate yoga poses in all those subject areas.

Watch video for more …

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February is Teacher Convention Month in Alberta, Canada. This is a time for teachers to enrich themselves personally and professionally. I teach various workshops to help teachers bring yoga into their schools and lives. Each workshop lasts approximately 75 minutes at conventions, but are ideally suited for 2-3 hour in-service sessions. Here are a few workshops which can be used for in-service or PD Days. If you are interested in learning more or in booking a workshop for your group/school please contact donna@yogainmyschool.com

Once Upon a Pose

Yoga stories for children fulfill numerous curriculum requirements and are a fun, fully interactive teaching methodology. Learn how to use basic yoga poses in story format to enrich the classroom experience, improve physical fitness, reduce stress, increase attention span, and engage students on a totally different level. Stories in French also provided. A fun, high energy workshop with great ideas to use today. Come prepared to actively participate. K-6 applications in Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, Science, Art, Music and PE. Also meets the DPA Requirement.

Yoga for Teens

The ancient practise of yoga can have a tremendous positive impact on adolescents. Benefits include improved self-esteem, better academic performance, increased attention span, and greater stress management. This fully interactive workshop will progress through seven types of yoga poses (standing, balance, forward bends, back bends, inversions, twists and arm balancing) as well as include relaxation techniques and breathing exercises. Come prepared to actively participate and discover how to use yoga with your students. Applications to Physical Education, Fit for Life, CALM, Physics, Biology, Algebra, Social Studies, English, Foreign Languages, Drama, Counselling and school athletic teams.

Yoga with a Chair

Yoga with a Chair is a fun way to work yoga into your everyday routine. Reduce fatigue, prevent carpel tunnel, improve posture, strengthen your core, and open your hips all while using a standard chair. This workshop will surprise you as you discover the many adaptations to the poses and the incredible workout you can get while sitting down. Come prepared to participate and leave with numerous tips and techniques on how to use yoga at the office, in the classroom or while in a wheel chair.

These are just a few of the possible Professional Develoment workshops offered. For a complete listing of in-service workshops visit the In-service Page.

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Light Connections Press has generously donated a copy of What I See, I Can Be to one lucky commentator. Leave a message below and enter to win. Draw date will be March 1, 2010. Good luck!

Janet William’s book What I See, I Can Be is a lovely guided yoga flow for children. The book is beautiful with engaging colour illustrations of each object and two sweet children, one boy and one girl, doing the corresponding pose. Some of the poses included are mountain, tree, triangle (kite), cat, cobra, child’s (mouse), bow, and seated forward bend (oyster). The yoga flow itself is well thought out and child appropriate, with step-by-instructions that are easy to follow.

Williams has done a lovely job of engaging children’s imaginations with her vivid descriptions. I especially like Bridge pose (drawbridge).

I lie on my back and I place my feet on the ground. I bring my feet close to my bottom and my knees point to the sky. A ship is ready to leave the harbour and head out to sea. I put my hand on my back and lift my tummy high into the air. I breathe as the ship slowly sails under the bridge. I am a Bridge. When the ship is through, I slowly lower the Drawbridge by bringing my back flat onto the ground.

I fully appreciated the included audio CD as it enabled my five year old to follow along independently doing the poses with the book at the front of her yoga mat. When asked which pose was her favourite, she answered, “The lying down one” referring to the Meadow page where the children are lead through an active progressive muscle relaxation while in Corpse pose. I think this age is ideal for the book and they will enjoy the calming music while being able to do yoga all by themselves. The book is aimed at children 3-9 years old.

The series of supporting materials is one of the great things about this book. A colouring and activity book, poster of poses, and teacher resource materials help round out this resource for teachers, parents, day-care providers or health professionals who may not have a back ground in yoga but want children to enjoy its many benefits.

Williams firmly believes in promoting healthy and active children. This book is a wonderful way in which to do exactly that.

The book has a special introductory price of $23.97 CAN +taxes and is available at Childrens Yoga Books.

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Many teachers want to bring yoga into their school. However, they are not sure what steps to take in order to make this desire a reality. Over the course of the next few months I will outline a step by step process which, when followed, will enable teachers to bring the benefits of yoga into their classrooms and schools. For Step 3 we are going to get creative in the possible ways yoga can be incorporated into the school setting. Step 1 – Know the Benefits can be found here. Step 2 – Find Examples can be found here.

Step 3 – Get Creative in How You Will Incorporate Yoga into Your School

Often when people think of practicing yoga with students they think of gym class. This is a wonderful place to begin. However, there are a number of ways to bring yoga into your school with gym class being only one possibility. Here are a few creative suggestions.

Sports Teams

Using yoga as a cross training tool is becoming mainstream. It helps develop core strength, improve pulmonary efficiency, prevent sports injuries, develop balance and focus, increase endurance and flexibility, and relieve stress. For more information visit How Yoga is Used as a Cross Training Tool For Teen Athletes. Encourage coaches throughout your school to access these benefits by incorporating yoga into their training routines. Starting with Sun Salutations and then moving into sport specific stretches is one of the most effective ways to accomplish this.

DPA

The Daily Physical Activity Requirement, standard in schools in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, is a perfect place to incorporate yoga into your school. This educational standard aims at increasing student health and fitness levels with 30 minutes of physical activity per day. Yoga is an easy, economical, non competitive way of meeting this requirement and best of all the kids LOVE it. One of the easiest ways to do this is to download THE PET STORE (see right side bar).

Yoga Club

Start a yoga club which can meet during recess or lunch break. This will require some expertise in yoga on your part or involving a yoga instructor willing to help get the club up and running. Having a standard meeting place and investing in school owned yoga mats simplifies physical requirements. Clubs can be hugely successful and provide an opportunity to work with kids who are keen to learn more than the basics.

Yoga Breaks

Yoga breaks are 5-10 minute stretching and relaxation intervals spaced throughout the school day. They are extremely effective at reducing stress, promoting concentration, and providing balance. I often encourage kids to perform simple twists in their seats if they are feeling sluggish or tired as it will increase their energy level and clear their minds creating a more receptive learning situation.

CALM

Career and Life Management class is a wonderful opportunity to teach healthy living and stress management skills. A Yoga Unit could be taught which employs a more yin style workout and focuses on breathing exercises, affirmations, and guided meditation. You may also want to include Yoga Journal Writing as a means of introspection and personal development.

Character Education

The philosophy behind a yogic life as explained in the yamas and niyamas correspond beautifully to character education initiatives. Bringing yoga into the classroom supports and reinforces these initiatives and teaches basic societal values and virtues. For a number of ways in which yoga teaches specific elements of character education visit the Character Education page.

Special Needs

Yoga is extremely useful as a therapy for special needs individuals. It has been proven successful with ADHD, autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and in many other situations. In addition, yoga benefits children with asthma teaching them their triggers and how to breathing efficiently and effectively.

Gym Class

There are a few options when introducing yoga in gym, PE, or Fit for Life classes. Read Help! My High School PE Class Wants to Do Yoga. One of the most successful ways is to use a 3-5 class Yoga Unit which includes breathing exercises, a variety of poses (standing, balance, forward bend, back bend, twists, inversions, arm balancing), and relaxation techniques.

Yoga Class for Credit

The greatest commitment when bringing yoga to your school is to develop and get accreditation for yoga  in the program of studies. This would involve working with the school administration, school district and local governmental agencies responsible for education. I’m thrilled about this possibility as the students would truly benefit from a more in depth study of a yoga practice and lifestyle but realise it is a huge endeavor.

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Last week I was thrilled to be interviewed by a Reader’s Digest writer researching an article on yoga in schools. She was commenting on how little information there was regarding the benefits to kids about doing yoga in schools.

Then over the weekend the PranaMama sent me this great article from Active.comwhich tells of the link between brain function and activity. Charles Hillman, one of the researchers, commented “The fit kids processed information more quickly and performed faster and more accurately than their sedentary peers. Exercise can really affect cognition, just as it affects muscles.” In fact,

According to neuroscientists, exercise increases blood flow in the brain, encourages activity between the neurons, and even promotes new neurons to grow in the hippocampus, which plays a major role in memory and learning.

“Exercise is the single most powerful tool you have to optimize your brain function,” says Harvard psychologist John Ratey, M.D., and author of the book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.

So yes, yoga really will make you smarter and now science is proving it.

This is great news for teachers. Suddenly the DPA Requirement isn’t just about healthy bodies and habits (though those goals are valid in their own right). Its also about how to maximize children’s learning potential. 

So crack out the yoga games, get your downdog on, do a few washing machines at your desk, or be majestic as a mountain and know that you are feeding your brain. You’ll feel better, be healthier, and best of all be smarter.

And as a Mom I’m relieved to know that my children are brilliant!

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