Mindfulness in schools is a hot topic. Studies prove its effectiveness at helping children reduce stress, self regulate and focus.
Now available is a series of Mindfulness Moments board books to enable even the youngest child to cultivate skills to feel calm wherever they are. Musician, kids yoga expert and author, Kira Willey, joins us to talk about her latest endeavor to help children manage body, breathe and emotions.
Listen to the podcast here
Some topics we cover:
the importance of music, movement and mindfulness
the evolution of Kira’s career from musician to author
how to teach the littlest yogis mindfulness
ways to incorporate mindful moments into your day
Enter to win the giveaway
Enter below to win a signed copy of Mindfulness Moments for Kids: Breathe Like a Bear OR Mindfulness Moments for Kids: Listen Like an Elephant. Kira has one of each book. Two winners will be chosen. Multiple entries allowed. Contest open to resident of USA and Canada. Contest ends Oct 26 at 12:00 am.
We are thrilled to partner with a private villa in Jamaica to offer an incredible, transformative, intimate yoga retreat. Relax, renew and relieve stress with this incredible 8 day / 7 night yoga retreat that includes a perfect balance of mindfulness, movement and local flavour.
Welcome to your Jamaican Home – a Taste of Paradise
Dive deep into the harmony of nature and reconnecting with self through yoga, meditation, journaling, and time spent exploring an island paradise. Tune in and up to your best self. All levels of yoga experience are welcome.
Highlights of this experience include
accommodation at a private eco-friendly villa in the Jamaican jungle
transportation from Montego Bay airport to the villa and back again
spacious rooms with private balconies
daily continental breakfast with local seasonal fruit and fresh pastries
personal chef prepared authentic Jamaican cuisine dinners
twice daily poolside yoga and meditation sessions (morning and evening)
dolphin shaped pool
daily outings to local sites – transportation included, admission/activities not included we have included some approximate prices to help with budgeting
Blue Hole
Half Moon Beach (snorkeling approx $60 US)
7 Mile Beach / Rick’s Cafe
Westender Buffet
Seastar live drumming (admission approx $50 US)
local market & shopping
DATES: November 6-13, 2019
Maximum group size is 11 participants. Don’t delay. Reserve your spot.
** Donna Freeman is a YACEP (Yoga Alliance Certified Education Provider). This retreat includes 20 contact hours. These can count toward your Ambassador Yoga Edmonton 500 hours.
Payment plans available. Email donna@yogainmyschool.com to arrange a deposit and reserve your room.
Choose your package
Each package is for one person. Bring yourself and be open to sharing a room with someone or invite a friend /significant other to join in the fun.
1 Person Private Loft
Sun Kissed. Located at the top of the house this open concept loft space has a private bathroom (sink & toilet) and the best views of the Caribbean Sea. Shower shared with another room. Approximately $1600 Canadian. Listed in US$.
Available Qty: 1
Price: $1,185.00
1 Person - Queen Bed - Sleeps 2
Sunny Side Up - Spacious main floor room off the family area, with spacious adjoining bathroom and private balcony overlooking the pool. Approximately $1750 Canadian. Listed in US$.
Available Qty: 2
Price: $1,295.00
1 Person - Queen Bed - Sleeps 4
Sun 'n Fun - With 2 Queen beds this ocean view room is located on the main level and boasts a bath tub. The view from the balcony is breath taking. Approximately $1670 Canadian. Listed in US$.
Available Qty: 4
Price: $1,236.00
1 Person - Queen Bed - Sleeps 2
Walking On SunShine. This spacious pool side suite is on the main level of the house and has a Queen bed. Approximately $1750.00 Canadian. Listed in US$.
Available Qty: 2
Price: $1,295.00
1 Person - Twin Bed - Sleeps 2
SunShine in My Pocket - Quiet Room with two twin beds and a bathroom. Has a side entrance door. Approximately $1750 Canadian. Listed in US$.
Available Qty: 2
Price: $1,295.00
Not included:
Flight, recommended travel insurance, alcohol, lunches, items of a personal nature/souvenirs, gratuities for staff, additional tours and activities
What to Pack:
island clothing (shorts, short sleeve tops, bathing suit, etc.)
sun hat & strong SPF sun screen – protect yourself & your skin
water shoes (some of our excursions require your footwear to get wet)
comfortable walking shoes
yoga clothes
journal
1 article of white cotton clothing (could be a tshirt, skirt, shorts, wrap)
Ideal for Mother’s Day this classic Dr Seuss book transforms into a fun kids yoga class. Grab a little yogi and practice together.
This version is quicker than I usually teach it – a sweet abbreviated version for your home practice. You can find the complete lesson plan HERE for Teacher’s Lounge members or in our online store HERE.
Kids Love Easter Yoga. Discover an easy way to take Bunny Breath up a notch by adding in developmentally appropriate levels to stimulate body and mind.
During our weekend workshop Yoga for Preschoolers and Kids with Special Needs we cover a lot of material having to do with developmental milestones and how you can assist children to meet these milestones in creative and fun ways. What is really inspiring is by adding in somatic techniques into your kids yoga classes you are also developing essential neurological pathways and helping the brain to organize itself. Truly a win-win.
This IGTV video explains why you want to add hopping to your Bunny Breath pranayama practice.
Bea is anxiously waiting for her friends to show up for her birthday party. Discover how Bea’s thoughts take over and what she does to find calm so she can enjoy her party.
We’ll discuss the rise in anxiety issues in youth, how mindful breathing and visualization can help manage anxiety, and the importance of mindfulness in schools to promote physical and emotional well-being.
Listen here
Enter to win a copy of Mindful Bea and the Worry Tree
Contest runs midnight April 12 to April 19 and is open to participants in the USA and Canada. Multiple entries allowed including daily tweeting. Enjoy and share!
Are you looking for ways to help kids be calm, overcome anxiety, and live happy, healthy lives?
Wynne Kinder shares her extensive knowledge on mindfulness for kids in her new book Calm. For years Wynne has been involved with developing amazing resources for schools and families to use to invite more mindful moments into their day. It’s a delight to reconnect with her and highlight the amazing work being done.
Join us as we talk all things mindfulness, ways to get buy in from reluctant participants, and goats. Let’s not forget the goats.
Listen here
US cover
UK cover
Wynne w her goats
Enter to win a copy of Wynne’s new book Calm: Mindfulness for Kids
This contest runs Feb 20 to Feb 26 midnight. Multiple entries allowed.
Sun Salutations with a large group of teens – oh YEAH!
Teaching large groups can be a challenge. This group of 70 grade 9 students learned Sun Salutations by taking apart the 9 poses which make up Surya Namaskar A and then putting them together again.
Love that these teens get to learn tools to foster a healthy mind and body as part of their school day.
Tips for teaching yoga to large groups
⭐️ set yourself up in the center of the gym to be more easily seen and closer to students
⭐️ to fill a gym filled with teens you’ve got to find your gym voice and project
⭐️ with younger teens pace your class on the quicker side. Keep them moving
⭐️ use lots of positive reinforcement
⭐️ have FUN – these guys loved saying CHATARANGA! with power and authority
⭐️ expect there to be chatter, help to keep students on task with engagement (questions), authenticity (walk the talk) and movement (do yoga, lots of yoga).
This is one of my favorite mindfulness techniques. I often use it at the beginning of class to set the tone and allow everyone the opportunity to slow down and check in. The activity can be done anywhere but this script is for a classroom where students are seated at their desks. I highly recommend it, especially for teens and tweens. Speak slowly, allow for pauses and space for participants to look inward.
Body, Mind, Mood, Breath
Invite everyone to get comfortable sitting back in their chair or with heads down on desks. Maybe eyes are closed or turned down to encourage focus and minimize distractions.
Turn the attention inward to how you are feeling.
What is going on in your body? Is there any tension? Softness? Aches? Openness? Just notice without judging or trying to change it.
Now observe your mind. What is it’s level of activity? It is busy? Calm? Stuck on one thing? Or jumping from thought to thought?
Now notice your mood. How are you feeling today? What are you bringing into class? Can you name the mood you are currently in? Allow whatever it is to be without judgement.
Now turn your attention to your breath. Notice the inhalation and the exhalation. Is it fast, slow, steady, ragged, smooth, warm, cool? Where in your body do you feel the breath?
Take two more breaths. Simply observe. When you are ready open your eyes.
Kids have big emotions. Often they don’t know how to manage these emotions, what to do, how to express themselves or how to find that place of calm inside.
Today’s guest on the Yoga In My School podcast is Sara Pletcher. Sara is a teacher and author passionate about helping teachers help kids. She writes about topics that lead to important conversations to foster awareness, self regulation and integration. Her latest book, Ride the Wind, is a colorful exploration of feelings and thoughts.In her creative way our heroine Genelle, taught by her Mom, shows us how to Ride the Wind through mindfulness and visualizations.
Join us as we explore contemplative practices for young children. Discover tips on teaching kids how to manage emotions and ways you can support your children in fostering mindfulness and meditation practices to last a lifetime.
Discover yoga partner poses suitable for all ages and abilities to foster kindness, communication and teamwork. Learn how to partner effectively, best practices and considerations for a safe and wholesome school yoga practice. All poses are suitable for the school environment with age recommendations to cultivate connections and ensure safety. This e-book has been developed from years of hands-on experience working with students from preschool-grade 12.
This downloadable PDF includes:
Benefits of Partner Poses
Classroom Management Tips
Creating a Safe Space
8 unique Creative Ways to Partner
41 Partner Poses for ages preschool-highschool with lots of variations, age recommendations, color photos and step-by-step instructions
Special Introductory Pricing
School Friendly Yoga Partner Poses
Discover yoga partner poses suitable for all ages and abilities to foster kindness, communication and teamwork. Learn how to partner effectively, best practices and considerations for a safe and wholesome school yoga practice. 18 page full color PDF. Includes 41 partner poses.
I LOVE yoga nidra. Years ago I was first introduced to this amazing restorative practice during a local yoga nidra afternoon workshop. From that first experience, each time I practice it feels more and more as if I am coming home to myself. The gift of taking time to soften, relax and listen is deeply healing.
Yoga nidra is fabulous for teens and tweens. The practice of yogic sleeping is both meditative and therapeutic. Different from the unconscious sleep of night time, yoga nidra cultivates relaxed awareness of body, breath, and mind encouraging all to surrender, to compassionately be here now without judgement.
Benefits of Yoga Nidra
Available to Everyone: Everyone can practice yoga nidra. No special skills, attitudes or abilities are prerequisite.
Can’t be Done Incorrectly: Anyway you do nidra it is a success. Some people fall asleep, some are wide awake the entire time, some drift in and out of awareness. What matters is that you surrender to the practice and let it be whatever it is, trusting that it is what you need in the moment.
Simple way to Reduce Stress: Yoga nidra requires no special equipment. It’s beauty is in its simplicity. Practice it once and you’ll notice its profoundly relaxing impact.
Balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems: The quiet, calm produced by stillness in the body and attention to various states of awareness is deeply soothing and healing to body and mind.
Builds patience and self control: The invitation to remain still and observe during yoga nidra fosters tolerance and equanimity.
Connect with Yourself: Probably one of the greatest benefits is a greater understanding of yourself, your goals, your inner being. This provides important insight, sensitivity and receptiveness for teens as they navigate the often difficult years of junior and senior high school.
The 8 steps to a Complete Yoga Nidra
Entry
Resolve/Sankalpa
Body Scan
Breath and Pranayama Awareness
Feelings and Sensations Perception
Images, Visualization and Journey
Repeat Resolve/Sankalpa
Return
Tips for Practicing Yoga Nidra with Teens
Keep it short: while adult practices can range from 15-60 minutes, yoga nidra for tweens and teens is best kept abbreviated. Five to 15 minute practices are perfect. The younger the participants the shorter the practice.
Keep it simple: Keep your language approachable and simple. Use easy to understand terms. Work in broad generalities. Adult yoga nidra can sometimes become extremely detailed. The younger the participants the more general the terms. For example during the body scan focus on a general overview of the body.
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat: We thrive on repetition. It provides routine and a touchstone in a often confusing world. Feel free to use the same script every time, repeat the same words/phrases (Deepen the breath, relax the body, calm the mind), or at least do one part of it the same way during every practice.
Allow a variety of positions: Invite participants to find a comfortable position where they can remain still for the duration of the practice. This may be lying on their backs, sides, stomachs or seated against a wall. The goal is comfort and that may look different for different individuals.
Use Background Music: Soothing, ambient music without words is lovely to have playing in the background. You can find lots of playlist for massage, reiki, relaxation and more on your favorite music source.
Click on the button below to download a Yoga Nidra script. Please feel free to modify to find your own words, expression, and adaptations for your students and loved ones.
Gabi Garcia is passionate about helping kids to be kind to themselves, to listen to their bodies and to their hearts.
Join Yoga In My School founder, Donna Freeman, as she chats with counsellor, teacher, author Gabi Garcia about how we can foster positive self talk and emotional awareness in children.
Gabi’s beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written books, Listening to My Body and Listening with My Heart, are for parents, teachers and practitioners who are helping children learn mindfulness and calming practices. Discover tools that you can use today with the children in your life. You may even find yourself employing self-regulation and self-compassion skills more often in your own life.
Listen to the interview here:
Gabi Garcia Books Giveaway
Enter to win copies of Gabi’s books in either English or Spanish below.
Contest runs June 7-14 and is open to participants in USA and Canada. No purchase necessary. Winner randomly chosen will be contacted via email or Instragram messaging and have 24 hr to claim their prize.
