Teaching Kids Yoga

Medical study - Yoga Helps Some Kids with ADHD

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:04:00 +0000

This week I'm taking a sixty hour Yoga Teacher Training called Vitality and Stress, learning all different aspects and qualities of stress. My favorite so far has been examining our "stress monster" personality. Sounds like something that could work in kids yoga - don't you think?

Here's an intersting article and video on how yoga helps relieve stress, balance cortisol levels, and create a better state of mental health. About half way through you'll find this:

"A German study found that yoga was superior to conventional motor training in a small population of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)."

- source link MedPage Today

One thing we're also understanding is that low levels of stress can be motiviting. Its the unrelenting, ongoing stress that we want to avoid.

Hope everyone has a low stress week. I'll have some more tips next week.

Aruna Kathy Humphrys
http://www.youngyogamasters.com/

Announcing: Kid Yoga Teacher Training Dates

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Avoid the common mistakes of teaching kids' yoga:

Young Yoga Masters Certificate Program: Kids Yoga Teacher Training

Announcing the next Kids Yoga Teacher Training Dates
This Kids Yoga Teaching Training course gets you ready to teach kids yoga and avoid the problems that new teachers experience. With a tested six week kids yoga curriculum filled with yoga and activities that kids love. You will also discover additional poses, games, meditations, and songs to build the skills and confidence to design your own classes. This course will equip you to spread the health and joy of yoga with children at home, in daycares, studios, or in the classroom.

Two New Courses starting in 2010:

New Program: 12 Hour Training + 6 Hour Co-Op Training (6 weeks): Toronto, Ontario, Canada Starts Tuesday, January 12, 2010
12 Hour Training Weekend: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Friday, April 30 – Sunday, May 2, 2010

Who Should Attend the Kids Yoga Teacher Training:

Attention: Those who want to give kids the life-long rewards of healthy bodies and happy minds.

Yoga Teachers
School Teachers
E.C.E.’s (Early Childhood Educators)
Doctors, Therapists, and Kids Specialists
Specialty Kids Teachers
Teaching Assistants
Parents
Grandparents
Those who work with kids
And all those who love and care for kids

Teaching Kids Yoga Training is for you!

About the Course:

Connect with kids from toddlers to tweens with a meaningful yoga practice.

Young Yoga Masters is a unique Kids Yoga Teacher Training program that will give you the tools to explain yoga and meditation to kids. It is for those who are just starting out and also for those who teach kids regularly and want to rejuvenate their lesson plans with inspiring ideas and activities.

For Developing Focus & Keeping Imagination Alive
Teaching Kids Yoga features age old postures and meditations that can build self-awareness and confidence. The stories from Ancient Secrets of Success for Today’s World by Tulshi Sen inspire teachers and kids alike.
Take your classes from good to awesome! In this weekend workshop you will discover:

Classroom Management: How to gain kid’s cooperation, work with groups, and build passion for yoga,
Child Development: An overview of the ages and stages of children’s abilities and development,
Yoga Fundamentals: The fundamentals of yoga and meditation and how to present them to kids,
A six week class curriculum based on Ancient Secrets of Success for Today’s World by Tulshi Sen – a tested program that inspires kids, filled with inspiring kids yoga, meditations, games and stories. This curriculum tells you exactly how to introduce yoga to kids in a way they can understand and apply. It will give you the tools to create a meaningful yoga curriculum to teach in your kids classes;
How to develop your own kids yoga classes for different ages, time frames, and settings from the living room to the classroom;
Quick Yoga: Quick, everyday tools for calming and centering for kids and adults;
Rejuvenation: An amazing course to connect with others and nourish your soul. Practical and personal development that’s full of imagination and fresh ideas.

For full course details link here: http://www.youngyogamasters.com/in-person-training/

Please contact me if you have any questions about the course. I'd love to see you there,

Aruna Kathy Humphrys
Aruna@YoungYogaMasters.com

Halloween - Did You Have these Kids Yoga Problems?

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:20:00 +0000

Last Friday's Kids Yoga Halloween Class

Halloween makes a great theme, as mentioned here and here, that can be used for at least a week before the actual holiday. But a kids yoga class that happens during a Halloween party requires special attention. As I experienced last Friday, here are a few....tricks and treats.... for those who end up teaching a kids yoga class where the children are actually wearing costumes. Be sure to watch for:

Overheating: some costumes are full body cover ups, some even made for trick-or-treating outside in fall weather. If you're teaching kids wearing costumes, go for simple easy poses (tree, warrior, spinal flexes) that won't get the kids overheated.
Pointy Objects: Get these out of the way before you start your yoga. I'm talking Magic Wands, Swords, Pitchforks, and even wire used in wings and capes. Some costumes make many yoga poses difficult to do - like lying on your belly or back if you've got a belt, skirt, tail or other extra appendages. I ended up doing mostly standing and sitting poses so the kids could participate.
Candy Overload: Depending on when your class takes place, the kids may have already ingested a lot of candy, chips, and other forms of junk food. So hold off on any intense forward bending. Teach a light class that you could give someone who's just had a meal.

When I taught my classes last Friday I knew yoga was going to happen during the Halloween party. I dressed up as an Indian Princess, I'd like to know how women do yoga in Sari's - trust me, it's fun to wear but your legs get stopped in the long slip if you try to take a big step apart.

I also don't give out candy, I give out bindi's (stickers for their forehead or hand) which everyone wanted, both the boys and the girls.

To compensate for the costumes I knew the kids would be wearing, I brought in one of my felt board stories. We started with an old folk tale about how to think positively and we talked about how to stay calm when you might feel a little afraid.

For this class the story time increased, the yoga time was reduced, we did a daydreaming session for meditation - imagining flying through the sky, and we finished with a good round of freeze dance to keep the party feeling going.

The thirty minute classes went by in no time, especially because the children were so enamored with their costumes and had a lot to say. Halloween is such an active exciting time, yoga can be a fine opportunity to relax, daydream, and find peace of mind.

Does anyone else have any Halloween costume/yoga stories to share?

Aruna Humphrys
www.YoungYogaMasters.com

Character Development Theme: Responsibility

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:08:00 +0000

Kids Learn about Character in School and at Home

( In my city, school teachers have been given a monthly theme to teach in the classroom. The Toronto District School Board calls it Character Development. So I went to the Yoga In My School specialist - Donna Freeman for some insight into the monthly themes. Thanks to Donna for this guest post.)

Teaching Responsibility Vital to Living Well in the World
A Guest Post by Donna Freeman from Yogainmyschool.com

One of the primary goals of teaching and parenting is to create responsible adults. By this we hope to create individuals who make moral decisions, meet their obligations, are motivated by their own initiative, and are accountable for their decisions and actions.

Yoga’s yamas and niyamas, often referred to as the commandments of yoga, are based upon developing responsibility for oneself, for others, and for the environment. This may be manifest through focussing on Ahimsa (non-violence) learning to live with peace, kindness and love, or Tapas (self-discipline) striving to better yourself through goal setting and hard work; Asteya (non-stealing) taking only that which is freely given, or Saucha (cleanliness) taking care of yourself and your environment. Each of these foundational 10 philosophies is based on living a life of responsibility.

I appreciate this quote by John D. Rockefeller, Jr for what it says about how responsibility is woven into our daily lives.

I believe that every right implies a responsibility;
every opportunity, an obligation;
every possession, a duty.

Small acts consciously repeated in regards to community, family, church, work, and self demonstrate responsibility. Caring for self and others, arriving on time, showing respect, following through, being honest, being accountable for actions, saying what you’ll do, and doing what you say are all hallmarks of responsible kids and teens.

Seeing responsibility in action often assists in knowing how to act in this manner. The example set by parents and teachers is vital. You may also enjoy the series of one minute videos produced by NBC for Liberty Mutual’s Responsibility Project which model living responsibly.
As we teach and demonstrate responsibility, we integrate actions and attitudes. We strive to:

Be actively engage
Be future oriented
Focus on self-improvement
Be aware of boundaries
Ask for help
See relationships as win/win
Be open to change
Live with integrity

I hope we will create opportunities to develop responsibility. As we do so we are empowering our children to live pro-active, purposeful lives. Take action. Do what is right. Live responsibly.

Teaching Kids Yoga - New and Improved

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:15:00 +0000

New! My new Website (click image to see it)

Teaching Kids Yoga is moving from Blogger to a new website:

www.YoungYogaMasters.com

For several weeks I'll be posting on both blogs while I figure out what I can do to keep some of the ranking I've build up for two years blogging on Blogger. Then I'll switch over all posting to the new site.

I invite you to check it out and continue to read and comment on my new site.

All those who receive e-mails posts, you will be automatically switched. If you would like to start to receive the blog in your e-mail enter your address here:

Change Your Feed to My New Address
If you follow my blog in another way, you'll have to change to the new address. Go to the new address and click the RSS feed or follow button.

If you have ANY questions - leave a comment and we'll figure it out. I'd also love your comments on the new look. If there's anything else you'd like to see, feel free to offer constructive feedback. I think the new location is better organized for over 140 posts!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at www.YoungYogaMasters.com!

Yours in Teaching Kids Yoga and children's total health and balance,

Aruna Humphrys
www.YoungYogaMasters.com

P.S. I've created a new e-mail address: Aruna@YoungYogaMasters.com. My other e-mail addresses will forward to this address now so they still work!

P.P.S. For all those bloggers and entrepreneurial types following my blog, the main reason I switched is because there is more control this way (Wordpress). I bought a pre-made template and created pages. I wanted to be able to include all my kids yoga info on the blog rather than sending readers to another site.

Plus my husband is a computer genius and this is part of his business - I highly recommend him, although I am definitely biased. You can let me know if you want more info on starting a beautiful blog like mine, or switching formats, and I'll put you in touch with the expert.

Kids Yoga Animal Poses

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:42:00 +0000

Camel Pose: One hump or two?

One yoga teacher in the kids yoga teacher training course asked me a question that every new teacher must ask when doing kids yoga:

How do we do kids yoga animal poses?

Yoga animal poses are part of the basic tools for teaching kids. You'll find them in many kids yoga books like:

The Yoga Zoo Adventure for Little Kids by Helen Purperhart

Fly Like A Butterfly: Yoga for Children by Shakta Kaur Khalsa (I've bought this book twice, my first one I used so much it fell apart!)

Plus many other great books and videos. There are also some great blog posts on Yoga Animals here at:

Stuffed Animals for Yoga Class Help Kids Focus from the Yoga in My School blog

Here are some scary animals like bats and Spiders in this post: Halloween Yoga for Kids from the Childlight Yoga blog.

I have to admit I haven't included a yoga animal story in my teacher training curriculum. Yoga animals are part of other themes like in the Story of the Lion Cub who Was Raised by Goats - we do lions and even a goat pose! But in my desire to do a kids yoga training that was more than just pretending to be poses, I figured this was already available.

Yet this question helped me realize that animals and yoga go together so naturally, it is a fundamental of kids yoga. So I'm going to cover it here and include this blog post in my teacher training manual. I'm grateful for people's questions and feedback because they also show me what can be added to improve my training course.

Here are my current top ten favorite yoga animal poses:

Camel Ride - a basic warm-up in Kundalini Yoga, sit in easy pose, hold your ankles, inhale lift your spine forward and up, exhale and relax your spine back - as if you were riding on a camel.
Elephant taking a Shower: stand up and make a trunk with your arms, keep your legs straight and dip your trunk into the imaginary watering hole in front of you, then lift your trunk up and spray the water like a shower.
Frog: squat and stretch your legs like a frog warming up and then jump!
Cobra Pose
Downward Dog
Butterfly Drinking Nectar: sitting, put your feet together and knees bent wide apart. Flutter your legs up and down like a butterfly. Then move your chest to your feet and drink the nectar from a flower in front of you.
Cheetah: move quickly on all fours like a cheetah running across the land
Camel Pose: See the picture above.
Unicorn: Make your hands into a magical unicorn horn over the centre of your head then gallop.
Donkey Kicks

Start an animal yoga class by saying, "Put your hand up if you like animals." You'll get so many hands you may have to limit comments from the kids, but you'll quickly find out animals they like to do. You can also suggest that there are those who feel some of the yoga poses came from watching how animals stretch. Then ask them if they want to do some animal yoga. I've never had young kids say no, although the older kids (10 - 12 yrs) may lose interest in this.

Then you'll be off to the races, or should I say the Zoo, going through all the poses, plus the ones the kids make up.

What are your favorite Animal Yoga Poses and Games to teach or do?

Aruna Humphrys
www.YoungYogaMasters.com

Get Started Teaching Yoga for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:40:00 +0000

Let the Games Begin!
Practice Teaching in the Teacher Training Course

One great thing about teaching the teacher training course is there is time for questions and answers. And I'm not the only one answering! I have ten plus years experience, but you're also tapping into a the group's experience. For instance this course had lots of yoga teachers from different styles (Moksha, Hatha, Anusara, Flow, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, Hot) plus other teachers, therapists for kids, parents and grandparents.

The question and answer time is fun to hear what people are wondering and what others have to contribute. Plus for every question someone asks there are usually a number of others who are thinking the same question.

One question from the course was something like this:

I've been teaching kids already but I still get nervous before a class.

Does this ever go away?

This made me think twice although it sounds like a simple question. It actually gets to the heart of what happens to us when we start something new.

First, my answer: Yes, but....

I looked back on some of my recent classes and I recognize my nervousness, especially before the first class of a series. Once I meet the new people and we get to know each other a bit, the nervous lessens.

But that first class I pull out my favorite activities, songs, and themes. While I'm teaching I tell myself to slow down when I'm talking. I make sure I don't stuff the class too full, I remind myself I can't teach everything in one class. Let the class be yoga: awakening, challenging, connecting with the students, the students connecting within, and hopefully a little community forming. And my favorite reminder: don't rush.

I could see others in the course were nervous about their upcoming kids yoga classes. What exactly should I do? How do I do it? It was great to see all the great ideas that came out of the practice teaching sessions on the last day of the course.

One thing yoga and meditation can prepare us for is nervousness. My teacher, Tulshi Sen, gave a great talk about the mind and how it gets a hold of us. I think this often happens in the form of nervousness. He often says that when we can think the way we want to think, we may feel nervous but we can also enjoy it!

We can enjoy the nervousness of a new adventure. Does that blow anyone's mind away? I know it did for me for a long time. I thought nervousness had to render me sleepless and I hate to say it, sometimes wimpy.

As he mentions in the audio below, it may require a paradigm shift to a new way of thinking. Nervousness does not have to be bad. It can be fun and exciting.

That question in the class helped me realize the shift I had gone through. I could see others who were on the verge of this shift as they break out of their boxes.

It is a truly powerful experience to see yourself change and unless we give ourselves opportunities to experience it, we will never know.

So thanks to everyone who came to the course for this experience. There are a couple of other questions from the course I'll cover in my next posts.

Aruna Kathy Humphrys
www.YoungYogaMasters.com

How to Teach Kids Yoga

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Kids Yoga Teacher Trainers
September 2009

A lot of people find my blog because they're asking "How to teach Kids Yoga." It's what most of the people in my teacher training courses want to know and it is an important query.

The query reminds me of a saying about teaching that was emphasized when I became a yoga teacher,

If you want to learn something, read it.
If you want to know something, write it.
If you want to MASTER something, Teach it!
- Yogi Bhajan

This sentiment is echoed by many a great teacher. My Mentor Tulshi Sen, pushes this a step further: teach what you've learned within twenty four hours!

The challenge faced by those taking teacher training courses and searching for articles is to actually start putting what they are learning to use. In this case I agree with the old adage: Use It or Lose It! I've spent many hours reading articles filled with great info that I now have no recollection of; because I didn't put them to use.

I love training people who are raring to go and use what they learn. The person who has a class booked and feels the urgency of it! The person who is going to start a class in a studio! The school or daycare teacher who is going to add 15 minutes of yoga a day in her class! And what about the person who will volunteer somewhere to get experience? Now that impresses me.

Yes, it will be hard and you face a big uphill learning curve but you are on the path to Mastery.
Everyone starts out a beginner - in a sport, in a career, as a teacher.

So sometimes people ask how to teach kids yoga even though they have 10 books on the subject and have already taken hours of training but have never actually taught kids. I feel like saying: How do you teach kids yoga? Find some kids and teach them yoga.

I know that's not very compassionate of me, but come on people! If you are not willing to take that step, then you're just learning about kids yoga, you won't be a kids yoga teacher. Ultimately the choice is yours, will you do it or will you just read about it and study it?

It doesn't matter if it's one child in your living room or a class of 100 kids - to teach kids yoga you have to teach kids yoga.

I was super-energized after our course, but we know that energy will dissipate if it is not directed. So I'm being a bit pushy here because I know every one of the people that took my course last weekend has what they need to go and teach kids yoga. But not if they don't push themselves a little further now and use what they learned:

Find somewhere to teach kids yoga, or
If you already teach kids yoga but its not the way you want to teach it, start teaching themes that do excite you.

Go forth and teach! OK, enough said.

Next post: I'll tell you a couple of questions I was asked during the teacher training course that stuck with me.

Aruna Humphrys
www.YoungYogaMasters.com

P.S. Where was your first class? Where can a new teacher get experience? Please share what you know or what you plan to do.

Get Kids Active with Donkey Kicks

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:19:00 +0000

Donkey Kicks are a Kid's Favorite

Thanks to everyone who has been sending in questions!

Here's part one of a question that came in from a yogi in Toronto who's just starting teaching kids:

I was teaching an age 7 - 12 age group at a daycare and I had this one boy (who will never engage with me -- have taught him 3 times now), who ended up sitting on his mat the whole time through the entire class. I tried to ask him about half way through if everything was alright, and he just shrugged me off.

Anyway - I basically ignored him the rest of the time, but felt kinda bad for him. He looked like he wasn't into it, and decided to not participate.

What would you have done?

Thanks to Lisa for the question. You are not alone in this situation especially teaching in a setting where not all the kids have chosen to be there. So here's some things that I would consider:

What would I do? I too would ignore the behavior as much as possible in class as long as it is not disrupting the class. I try to give energy to the behavior I want. If I wanted to find out what was up with this boy I would talk to him after the class was over, discreetly and quietly to see if he would open up a little more. It could be a number of things going on: stress, lack of confidence, a learning/developmental issue, or maybe just introversion. Since it's been going on 3 weeks, I would probably ask the teacher(s) for advice or feedback too. The teacher's are a great resource.
The age group you are teaching is broad. The younger kids will still enjoy pretending, yet the twelve year old kids may not want to do "childish" things. This is tricky for a teacher. I teach to the higher end of the age range rather than the lower. I've found kids will act older when they are around big kids, but it doesn't work as well the other way around. I would do a little less pretending with the group and talk about more mature themes in class.
Pull out my Favorites: there are a few poses that kids just can't seem to resist. One is Donkey kicks. Donkey kicks are great for getting rid of pent up energy and this kid may have some! Every class is a bit of a puzzle to figure out how all the different pieces fit together. When I have a situation like this, I privately make a goal to see if I can figure it out and get the child participating. It keeps it interesting for me as a teacher.

Donkey Kicks are Fun and Great Exercise
for building strength and Rejuvenating

Here's the simple steps for Donkey Kicks:

Come into downward dog pose then move your weight into your hands.
Kick one leg up high and then the other up, then land them on the ground.
Then switch which leg goes up first and repeat.
Continue for a minute or more.

Caution: With Great Fun Comes Great Responsibility
(yes, I wish I was stopping this instead of taking a picture - it happens so fast!
But fortunately this boy is made of Jelly)

Warnings for Donkey Kicks:

Set up the room so no one is going to kick someone behind them. Get everyone on their own mat or take turns doing Donkey kicks so you can space kids out.
Do this exercise on padding for safety.
Before you start, remind kids not to kick too high or they may flip over and land on their back, hard. I've seen the situation in the picture above happen, by accident and sometimes on purpose, more than once. Don't do this in a large group unless you have other teachers there to watch and help the kids.

Even with a few mistakes, I've never seen any kids harmed doing Donkey Kicks, but do take the precautions. When I mention Donkey Kicks, the kids eyes light up! But I'm sure there are other Sure Fire Yoga poses.

In the end, you can try all these things and still not get a child to participate. The ultimate power in yoga and in life is always the power to choose. We have to let others choose for themselves and even respect their right to choose even if we don't like it. That will bring us closer to connecting with kids. Try not to feel bad or sorry for any kid who chooses not to participate. You will mostly end up bringing yourself down!

Please feel free to leave any comments or suggestions on this question to help out a new teacher!

Aruna Humphrys

P.S. There are a few spots left in this weekend's Kids Yoga Teacher Training course. Come to Toronto and join the growing number of kids yoga teachers. I'd love to see you there! Full details here.

Teaching Yoga Your Way

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:50:00 +0000

Leadership begins in Toddler-hood!

I have a confession to make.

In my first attempt to teach other adults about kids yoga, about seven years ago, I basically compiled a bunch of kids yoga ideas that I learned from other people's books, DVD's, and workshops. I took things from the daycare that I worked in too. These things definitely worked with kids. The classes were fun and the training was effective. But a part of me didn't feel good about it.

I didn't want to just "borrow" other people's ideas. And I didn't want to just play pretend class after class. At one point I realized if I wanted to keep teaching kids and train teachers, I needed to create a program that was unique and meaningful.

How to Explain "Yoga" to Kids?
I started to examine the things that connected with me in yoga and how I could teach these concepts in my kids yoga classes. I started with the idea of what Yoga is. How to explain "Union," which is a very mystical and deep concept, to kids. That became the first week of my kids yoga curriculum.

I began noting how the kids reacted to different themes and how to phrase them so they really made an impact.

Then, a curriculum emerged of my favorite yoga themes. I felt relief. Not only was I teaching something that came from within, I enjoyed teaching it a whole lot more. I could not go on, class after class, pretending to visit the zoo! Doing yoga without any depth.

Kids Yoga Training that is More than Fun and Games
This is what makes my Kids Yoga Teacher Training different from others. Sure we pretend and play games, but we also talk about the ideas of yoga and meditation that make it more than an exercise class. Of the hundred teachers I've trained so far, all of them have loved it not only for what it does for their kids yoga classes, but also what it does for them.

Awakening imagination, finding your voice, and creating your own story. Don't you think this is what life is about! Doing it Your Way.

I invite all those who feel that yoga is more than an exercise class to come to my next Kids Yoga Teacher Training on the weekend of Sept. 26 & 27. This twelve hour kids yoga training is like no other - guaranteed. It is based on the teachings of my mentor, author of Ancient Secrets of Success for Today's World, Tulshi Sen. It contains wisdom to build the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. It will train you to connect with kids Your Way.

Even if you've taken other kids yoga trainings, you'll be amazed at what you learn in this transformational and extremely playful weekend. There are still a few spots available. Register by this Saturday you'll save $40.

The full details are here. If you're the kind of person who wants to teach kids more than stretching....I'll be expecting you there!

Aruna Humphrys
Aruna@YogaUnlimited.com

P.S. Thanks to Adrienne for letting me know my blog was named in The Top 50 Yoga Blogs for a Healthy Mind and Body.

Kids Pick their Favorite Yoga Poses

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:10:00 +0000

Mountain Pose a Favorite for Boys

One of my favorite activities for the last class of a kids' yoga series is to have a "Yoga Party." It's a great way to review all the fun yoga we've done through the session.

Children like to show you what they know. I often hear, "look at me," "look at this," "Can I show you something." Kid's want to be recognized just like we all do. A Yoga Party is a great way for kids to show you their stuff while still doing yoga. In an end of series yoga parties, each child picks their favorite thing for us to do.

When I teach this class in my community centre class, which is an hour long, it means we end up playing yoga games most of the class.

But this summer I taught at a daycare where the class was only 30 minutes, which meant we usually didn't play games in the class - not enough time for games. For this yoga party each person picked their favorite yoga pose.

Now for some reason this class was all boys and only one girl that day, for a total of about ten of us. It was the last week of summer holidays and a lot of kids were away from school for trips and holidays before going back to the grind.

Here's what the kids picked:

Sun Salutation: Well this was my pick. I led off with sun salutations, which we had been learning all summer. Both the daycare teacher and I were impressed at how well the kids were getting to know them by heart.

Also, kids will launch into yoga poses sometimes without warming up. Often it doesn't matter too much for the active kids who are always warmed up. But you have to think of the whole class. If you are letting the kids choose the poses make sure they are warmed up first, or ask if any favorites are warm-up poses. It's also a good way to review the idea of warming up.
Eagle Pose: picked by the one girl. Interesting because I don't teach Eagle pose in my class - it's just not one we do in Kundalini Yoga alot. She must have learned it from another teacher. Whoever taught her that - Thanks! (check out the fourth picture down in the Karmaspot blog post linked here to see a kids' version of Eagle).
Cobra Pose: check out this beautiful description of Cobra on a great kids yoga blog: YogaInMySchool.com. Cobra is always a favorite.
Downward Dog: Again always a favorite for kids and everyone can do it.
Donkey Kicks: this one is best to do if everyone has their own mat, otherwise some people may, you guessed it, get kicked. If you don't have mats and the kids are sharing or on a carpet, take turns doing donkey kicks and ask any other adults around to help supervise. (I'm going to do a post on donkey kicks next.)
King Cobra Pose: Again a favorite and picked again even though someone had already picked cobra earlier.
Bundle Roll: lying down the kids put their arms by their sides and roll across the floor, kind of like you would roll down a hill. Try not to bend. I'm told that this is good for kids with any attention problems, it is grounding.
Freeze Dance: I use a version by Christopher Carbone on the Namaste! CD, but feel free to recommend your favorite freeze dance music or songs in the comments!
Mountain Pose (see picture above): This pose surprised me! There is usually one child who picks a very still and relaxed pose. The imagery of being as solid as a mountain is very comforting.
Tree Pose: Children love the challenge of tree pose, it takes a lot of mental strength.
Archer Pose: Read about Archer in a past post here.

When kids can pick any pose they want, you may be surprised by what they choose and how well they end up doing a nice balanced class.

Aruna Humphrys
Aruna@YogaUnlimited.com

President Obama on Kid's Education and Setting Goals

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:51:00 +0000

"I'm calling on each of you to set goals for yourselves."

US President Obama to students on the first day of school.
photo from CNN

How did you think the President of the United States did today in his speech to school children?

Obama used a lot of great techniques that can be useful to teachers. He gave concrete examples of kids who over came obstacles, he told a personal story about his own upbringing so we trusted him a little more, and he was clear in his message: Stay in school so you can learn and develop your talents, skills, and intellect so you can help the "old folks solve our most difficult problems."

But my favorite part of his address was when he asked everyone to set a goal for themselves. No matter what your circumstances are, there is no excuse for not trying. Set goals for yourself so your life can make a difference.

Is there ever an excuse to not have a goal? Every child and adult - everyone - needs a goal.

I'm going to accept the challenge myself and throw down the challenge to any one reading this blog. Now is your time to look inside at your goal. What is your goal for yourself as a teacher this year? How are you going to make a difference?

I often find it is hard to separate the "To Do" list from the goal. When I think of my goals I tend to think of all the things I have to get done. If I settle with "do laundry" as my goal, I think I may be selling myself short - not to mention being a pretty boring person.

What goal is exciting - that's the challenge. I'll start with My GOAL. I've had some time to think about this as my teacher, Tulshi Sen, is always saying,

"Anyone who truly loves himself

will take on the responsibility of having a Vision for their life."

I've been writing, re-writing, changing things, fine-tuning my Vision and my goals for years. I do it to love myself. If I don't set my own goals, others will do it for me. I worked too many years doing jobs to fulfill the goal of someone else. I've sorted bottles, cleaned dirty diapers, and helped homeless people. Achieving the goal of someone else leads to burn out. I've been there and don't want to go back!

I will leave my goal in the comments. If you want to see what it is - click on the comments (for those getting an e-mail, you'll have to click on the title of the article to go to the comments). Before you click - think of what goal you are going to write for yourself in your own comment. If you don't know what it will be for this year, at least write what you want to change!

The challenge is thrown down. Who wants to love them self? Whether you're a teacher or not, what is your goal?

Do you want to spend more quality time with your loved ones?
Start doing work that is more fulfilling?
Find out what fulfills you?
Open orphanages?
Develop a software that pays for a million orphanages?

Just like all great teachers do.... the final decision is left up to you. What's it going to be? Just like Obama did, I'm calling on each of you to set goals for yourselves for the upcoming year.

One Creative Way to Stir the Imagination

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:51:00 +0000

Join the Fun: Adults with Tickets are Welcome to Ride

After 10 years running my own yoga business and teaching kids yoga, I have discovered a powerful way of keeping creativity flowing. I use it when I develop a new curriculum or write a blog post. Without stirring my imagination I can't get excited about my business. Creativity and Imagination are essential for a successful business and also for my own happiness and satisfaction with life.

Yet, sometimes we feel stuck creatively. Whose fault is it? Those things, people, circumstances we believe are boxing us in? Or is it our fault for for letting them? The free tele-seminars I've been listening to with Tulshi Sen have revealed how to Raise Your Belief Level. He says, "You don't get what you want, you get what you are." We want to live a creative, meaningful, exciting life, but we don't really believe certain things are possible. We don't get what we want, we get what we believe.

Sometimes we don't even know what we want even if we did believe. We've got to go back to basics and stir the Imagination to let us start dreaming again. Like the sign says in the picture - we want to JOIN THE FUN, and the tickets we need as adults are imagination and creativity.

Creativity is in every five year old. If we find the five year old in us, we'll find the creativity. Can you remember what it was like to be five? Start by imagining this to Join the Fun. Can you see the world through the eyes of a child?

The kids I teach are excited about life. They like to get up in the morning. They've got a dream, they've got a rocketship to build, they've got a crocodile to track. They have passion for life that lets them smile easily and laugh often.

To stir creativity and give yourself something to get up for in the morning, think back on your favorite play activities as a child. Can you remember a favorite joke? Did you like puzzles, art, building, games, maybe pretending? Make a list of toys you loved and what you loved about them.

Today I was talking to a supervisor in her office at the daycare. Through the hallway and into the office travelled the sound of the xylophone, but this was no song I had ever heard. It went on and on without stop and continued on in a cacophony of notes. As I was leaving the music continued and I passed by the doorway to see a 5 year old girl absorbed in playing her instrument. All the kids were doing activities, and she sat alone on the carpet making music.

She looked up, smiled, then went right back to her personal symphony.

What engrosses you in this way?

I'm not saying you take up Tinker Toys, but these are the clues to your hearts passion.

Next, daydream a little. Daydream like a 5 year old who doesn't understand "impossible." Imagine you didn't need to have a job and you could do whatever you wanted. What clues would you get from your childhood toys. Would you play the xylophone in an orchestra, on American Idol, or in a spaceship?

Think of all the things you could do and also how you would feel doing it. Do you feel brave, independent, strong, healthy, imaginative, romantic, playful?

All day long we work for security, but when do we take time for our happiness? What is the point of having security if we don't have any of the feelings that we want to feel?

"Life is thinking and feeling." - Tulshi Sen

Children usually don't think of security, they think of what makes them happy. Then imagination flows and we start to see all kinds of possibilities for happiness. We notice opportunities and connections we may have overlooked before. We find possibilities for self-expression that we missed before, and we begin to dream of a creative life again.

Seeing life through the eyes of a child, the imagination is stirred and we Join the Fun even as an adult.

Do you have a way of stirring your imagination. What do you do when you feel stuck? Please leave your comments and ideas.

Aruna Humphrys

P.S. my next Kids Yoga Teacher Training in Toronto is Sat. Sept. 26 & Sunday, Sept. 27. Spots are starting to fill up so reserve your place today and take advantage of the early bird discount.

Details here.

P.P.S. To listen to the free tele-seminars with Tulshi Sen on Raise Your Belief Level - click here. There is a call tonight at 10 pm Eastern Standard Time.

Do You Believe in Yourself Enough? Complimentary Tele-Class Tonight and Link

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:12:00 +0000

Complimentary Tele-Seminar: Raise Your Belief Level
This topic is crucial for us as teachers. Most of the questions I get from kids yoga teachers are from those not sure how to manage a class or certain situations in a kids yoga class.

Often teachers resort to blaming the child and writing them off as "Un-teachable." It's not me, no one can teach them. For instance, this summer in one of my daycare classes, I had a 2 1/2 year who was difficult for me.

This child had developed a habit of not listening, and not only not listening but being disruptive as he wandered out of the group and drew everyone's attention away from the yoga class. Not only the kids attention - but mine as the teacher as well.

I resisted the temptation of nagging at the child to sit down and listen. Eventually, I gave him the consequence of leaving the class. The daycare teacher took him out, and I was relieved to not have him there for the rest of the class. It went smoothly.

After class, I found out that this problem was happening with this child in all the classes. But the teacher didn't want to label the child so didn't warn me about it.

What is my Belief Level?
Here is my challenge as a teacher: Do I believe I can teach this child? or Do I get frustrated and let it build and build with each class, spending my time waiting for this class to be over? As teachers we have to continually look at what we believe, our mindset, as we go about teaching. Are we aware of what we believe?

Here's what happened in this class:

I felt the desire in me to accept this challenge. Even though I didn't know how it would happen, I set the intention that I would figure out how to engage this child so he could stay the whole class.

The second class came knowing the challenge with this child, I tried again with new strategies - but I ended up asking him to leave the class again. (Just so you know, he wasn't crying or upset when he left, I think he was used to it!)

Third class - eventually I asked the teacher to take him out.

Can I teach this child? Should I give up? I don't know how I will do it but I know I will hold on to the belief that I can do it.

The next week, he was away on holidays. Whew! The whole dynamic of the class changed.

The next week - away again. I almost forget about the issue.

The sixth week - he's back and going through an adjustment period all over again (he's only 2 1/2 years old). He stays about half the class this time. But I hold onto my Vision of him staying, although it is only an 8 week session so I'm not sure how it will happen.

Seventh week - he's away again. This time I'm a little disappointed that he's not here. How will we get to do the whole class together if he's not here?

Eighth week - last class. He's back and joins the class. We're having a yoga party, playing all our favorite games and activities and songs. He's joining in!

He's doing everything!

He stays the whole class!

This may seem like a co-incidence but I don't think it is. My teacher, Tulshi Sen says:

We don't get what we want, we get what we are.
- Tulshi Sen

The question is, are we aware of what we are? What we are is our mindset. Do we give up on our belief too early before it has a chance to manifest?

I can't say exactly what I did differently with this student. But I do know, whenever I started feeling frustrated, I thought of what I wanted. I've spent many years in the study of Raising my Belief Level, as a teacher, as an entrepreneur, and as a person and these situations happen more and more often and make it all worth it.

Tulshi Sen has been my mentor in these matters for many years. He is giving a series of complimentary tele-seminars leading up to his two workshops, one in Vancouver (Sept. 19) and one in Toronto (November 21). Mr. Sen's principles have been life-changing. I don't think I could be teaching children more than 10 years without his guidance.

If you missed Tulshi Sen's last tele-seminar you can listen to it right now here.

The next Tele-Seminar is tonight at 10 pm Toronto, Canada time. There is no-charge (except your long-distance if any) and the talks are only 30 minutes so don't be late!

Here are the details:

Part 2 - How can I believe I will have whatever I can vision

Date: Thursday, August 27th, 2009
Time: 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time (10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time)
Dial in Phone Number: 1-218-862-1300 Conference Code: 302937

Mark the date for two more upcoming tele-seminars on Thursday's at this time.

If you haven't asked yourself what you can do to Raise Your Belief Level, I suggest you listen here. Not only for your sake, but for the sake of all those children who fall through the cracks in the education system.

I believe we can make a difference!

Aruna
Aruna@YogaUnlimited.com

Study Results: Top 10 Children's Health Concerns 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:00:00 +0000

The C.S. Mott Children's Hospital through the University of Michigan, released the results of a study this month that listed the top ten concerns that US adults have for children - in order:

Top 10 US Children's Health Concerns 2009
Child Health Concern
percent rated as "big problem" in 2009

Childhood Obesity 42%
Drug Abuse 36%
Smoking and Tobacco Use 32%
Bullying 31%
Internet Safety 31%
Child Abuse and Neglect 29%
Alcohol Abuse 26%
Stress 26%
Not enough opportunities for physical activity 25%
Teen Pregnancy 24%

In fact the study showed that Childhood Obesity ranked number one across all race/ethnicities and income levels.

My Prescription: Yoga!
If you've wondered what parents are concerned about - this may help you focus your classes and advertising - each result could be a class theme or a bullet point on a flyer!

Source for the study here.

Songs for Teaching Kids Yoga

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:22:00 +0000

Hello all,

Many of my summer kids yoga classes are coming to an end now. The summer program is a great time to try out new material to see how it works, like this song that took a couple classes for the kids to get to know, but they liked it.

Since I started teaching yoga, I feel like a teenager again when it comes to music. I often download a new album every month or so, especially when I get a recommendation. I don't want to do the same songs over and over. After a few months/years it can get boring.

I'll find songs and see if I can change them around to be a little more yogic. I'll change the words and throw in a yoga type of challenge, move, or activity.

Recyled Tunes
Many kids songs have the same tune used over and over (eg. The ABCD song is the same tune as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star). Anyone can become a song smith by picking a classic tune and making up a yoga song to it. Here's an example that I used this summer. It took more than one class for the kids to learn this song. I shortened it to two verses repeated and used it as a warm-up:

If you don't see the video embedded, the link to The Pinocchio is here.

This website is a great resource for kids' songs, especially with all their You Tube videos, plus they give samples of each song. Personally I'm not shy to sing the songs without music, but if you want, the music CD's are there to purchase at Super Simple Songs.com

Making it Yogic
Rather than calling it the Pinocchio and doing all the progressive moves, which would be fun too, I sang the song with similar moves to the video above but added a yogic variation like this:

Everybody In
Everybody Out
Everybody Turn Around
Everybody Shout (Hey!)
Everybody Dance
Everybody's Great
Everybody Meditate (the kids sit down and sit still to meditate)

Verse 2
Everybody Up
Everybody Down (a squat)
Everybody Did You Hear (bend at the waist hands to ears)
Everybody Cheer (Hey! - jump)
Everybody Shake
Every Body Part
Everybody Cross Your Heart (again sit down and meditate, hands on heart).

I found repeating the two verses made a great warm up for yoga. It's a bit like a freeze dance, with movement and then stillness.

Sometimes if I want to get a classes' attention, I start singing a song like this and everyone will happily join in; no other direction required.

Feel free to share some of your favorite songs and music recommendations in the comments. Has anyone heard the tune to The Pinocchio in another song?

Aruna Humphrys

Does Every Teacher Need a Teacher?

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Complimentary Tele-Seminar Tonight - Call In to Hear My Mentor
This post if for anyone reading out there, always hearing me talk about the courses happening in Toronto, wanting something you can do from your country or city.

I'm excited to tell you about the tele-class tonight with my Mentor Tulshi Sen. The great thing is you can just call in and listen to see if you like it, no travelling, you can even wear your pyjamas if you want! No one will ever know.

The details are below. I just posted it recently, but I wanted to highlight for you so you could participate.

As I looked forward to the call, I appreciated how much my Mentor/Teacher has done for me.

Then, this morning as I was lying in bed Visioning my day and my life, a thought popped into my head about my first yoga teacher. I started laughing to myself remembering how weird it was when I became a yoga teacher. My first year of teaching yoga - I sounded exactly like him! I felt like an observer as his words kept coming out of my mouth as I taught.

Then I met Yogi Bhajan, the Master of Kundalini Yoga. Well, I never actually met him personally, I saw him on stage in front of a big crowd of students. He was very challenging, alternating between yelling at everyone to "Wake Up" and inspiring us all to love and serve as teachers. Sometimes I left his talks not sure what had happened but taking gems of wisdom with me.

I began teaching yoga full-time. For 3 years I was focused on getting more and more classes, travelling all over the place on my bicycle, I saw myself falling into a rut, not sure what to do next. I loved teaching, but all the running around was getting to be a drag. That summer I began to long for a teacher to show me what I should do next.

Of course, soon after that I met my Mentor Tulshi Sen. He didn't teach yoga, although it always surprised me a little when he would throw in a yoga pose here and there. And, even though at first I wanted him to, he never told me what to do. He taught me how to have the spirit of an entrepreneur, while following my heart, and living by my principles. In fact, you wouldn't be reading this blog if it wasn't for the principles he taught me.

The course of my life changed by having these Teachers. I have a deep love and respect for all of them. I am so grateful for all the steps that led me to meeting each one of them, even though they sometimes seemed hard. If I had more trust then, I would have saved myself a lot of worrying.

So I ask you to consider who your teachers are? Where do you get inspiration?

I also invite you to join me in listening in on this talk tonight about Raising Your Belief Level. Its a complimentary Tele-Seminar so anyone from around the world can join in. Here are the details:

Complimentary Class: You Cannot Raise Yourself Above Your Belief Level
Date: Thursday, August 20th, 2009,
Time: 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time (10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time)

Dial in Phone Number: 1-218-862-1300,
Enter Conference Code: 302937

Aruna Humphrys

You've Got to Stretch for Success

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:23:00 +0000

Stretching for Body, Mind, and Spirit

Summer Workshop Special Price:
I've missed letting everyone know about this Saturday's workshop till now (is anyone else not working this week?). So all you spontaneous, success-lovers out there - take advantage of this Last Minute Deal.

This yoga and meditation workshop for adults who want to get a clear Vision of their success - is now only $40. Open to everyone who registers in the next 48 hours (by Thursday night) and can get to Toronto, Canada for Saturday afternoon. Save $25 from the original price!

Saturday, August 22, 1 —4 pm
Defining and Experiencing Your Success
The Foundation of True Success: How to Build a Life of True Bliss in a
Seemingly-Crazy-Scary-World

We know that things like fame, money, or good looks don’t guarantee happiness, if they did the tabloid magazines would be out of business. Then what does it take to achieve true happiness and success?

According to the Masters, success must be charted by the individual. What brings one person pure bliss and fulfillment might seem crazy to someone else. It is through the quest to understand who we are in this dream of existence that life becomes exciting.

Set the intention to live a life that you cannot wait to get up and dive into. This workshop will give you techniques to open the valve of imagination so creativity can flow in our lives.

The beginning of an exciting, creative, delicious vision will begin to form and take shape and we will come to understand True Success. Through strengthening the body and mind we build the strength and audacity to see where our intention, imagination, and vision can take us.

Your Teacher: Aruna Kathy Humphrys (Santokh ) has taught yoga workshops and classes for over 10 years. She’s a certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher, certified Ancient Secrets of Success trainer, children’s yoga trainer, and blogger.

Defining and Experiencing Your Success
Saturday, August 22, 1 —4 pm
We will tap into the strengthening exercises of kundalini yoga, prosperity meditations, and visioning tools from Ancient Secrets of Success for Today's World by Tulshi Sen to read the compass of the soul that points to our unique and Divine path to success.

Location: Downtown Toronto, Canada (College and Bathurst - address will be sent with registration)

Last Minute Registration Deal:
$40 if registered by August 20, 2009, $55 at the door

Registration Now Open:
call: 416-944-2888
e-mail: Aruna@YogaUnlimited.com or register instantly with Paypal here .

5 Yoga Tools for Healthy, Happy School Kids (and Adults)

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:28:00 +0000

Yoga for Boys at Georgian Bay, Canada

Hello Dear Friends,

I'm back from glorious week in Northern Ontario, yes sometimes known as the Great White North, but this time it was all blues skies and purple sunsets! Summer at it's best.

Get ready for a few new pictures of the kids doing yoga in the pristine setting of Georgian Bay. I've got a couple projects that I want to introduce in the fall to come to the aid of all the new teachers I'm hearing from. And a few ideas to spice up the lesson plans of some of the seasoned teachers too!

In the meantime here's a few items you may be interested in:

www.Dietsinreview.com is running a Back to School series. Thanks to Heather for inviting me to write this Children's Yoga feature: 5 Tools for Healthy, Happy School Kids. I think these tips also apply to adults too, especially all those teachers out there doing one of the hardest jobs on the planet - teaching large classrooms everyday! We've got to use all the tools we can to make learning a beautiful experience.
Free Tele-seminar withTulshi Sen this Thursday:
I have studied how meditation can be used for business development with my mentor, Tulshi Sen, for many years and he is a great inspiration for anyone wanting to break out of a rut or move things to a new level. I would not have had the guts to start this blog or develop my own unique training program, if it wasn't for his remarkable ability to awaken the confidence in each of us to "Go for it!"

This is why I think this free tele-seminar would be powerful to anyone wanting to develop their mindset to be a great teacher, an entrepreneur, or a lover of life. Whatever you want!

Tele-Seminar Topic: Part 1 - You Cannot Raise Yourself Above Your Belief Level
Date: Thursday, August 20th, 2009, Time: 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time (10 pm Eastern Standard Time)
Dial in Phone Number: 1-218-862-1300, Conference Code: 302937

This tele-seminar is in preparation for two upcoming seminars with Tulshi Sen: Raise Your Belief Level with the Master Key for Success Seminars
Vancouver, September 19th, 2009 - www.MasterKeyForSuccess.com
Toronto, November 21st, 2009 - www.RaiseYourBeliefLevel.com

Mark your calendar if you can make it to either of these. I'm hoping to make a trip out to Vancouver for September so I can attend both. This is my idea of a great retreat/holiday!
The fall Kids Yoga Teacher Training has been scheduled and is now open for registration. The course is being held in Toronto, Canada on September 26 - 27. All the details are here. The space is limited to around 20 people, so register early to reserve your spot.

Thanks to everyone who has submitted questions, I will be answering them in the coming posts.

Yours truly,

Aruna Humphrys
Aruna@YogaUnlimited.com

Overheard in the Hallway

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:05:00 +0000

T.G.I.F.

Today is Tuesday, so I think it may be a good day to tell this story - Friday's far enough away so hopefully we won't get influenced by it. I've been holding it in for a while trying to decide if it is worth writing about.

One Friday morning I was walking by the open door of a daycare class and I heard the teacher saying, in her daycare teacher voice, this little snippet of conversation,

"and 'F' stands for 'Friday.'
That's why we say T.G.I.F., Thank God It's Friday."

I couldn't resist, I peeped my head in and saw the teacher sitting with about six pre-schooler's (around 1 1/2-3 years old) on the carpet. She waved at me and re-iterated with a big smile: "T.G.I.F."

This little moment has stuck with me since then.

Who Likes Friday? Who Likes Monday?
My first thought was about how early we are taught how to think the way we think. We probably don't even remember it. I don't remember how long I've loved Friday's.

We love Friday when we don't have to work on Saturday. Some people like Friday more than Saturday because it holds all the promise of the weekend. By the time Saturday is here the weekend is in full bloom and then it ends. Which then means back to work - and we learn, maybe at 1 1/2 years old, that no-one says, "Thank God It's Monday."

What about T.G.I.F.?
Second, I thought about work. If we like our work we won't have to say T.G.I.F. Being yogis especially, we want to be thankful for everyday.

T.G.I.F. also reveals a truth of working with kids. Many think kids are all sunshine and lollipops, but kids do not make you immune from T.G.I.F.

Everyweek I see the very same "T.G.I.F." teacher changing diapers, one after another. Later she's wiping runny noses and cleaning up the strewn debris from a toddler luncheon. It's no wonder she has to explain what T.G.I.F. means to the children. Many daycare's I've gone to have some sort of Friday happy dance routine or song because their work is challenging in its own way.

Kids Learn Manners and Tact - They're Not Born With It
Not only are you often a hand-maid and house cleaner, if you work with kids you know that they don't mince words. They're not born with tact or manners - these are all things they learn from those around them. If they don't like what you are doing they just say, "I don't like this." They don't care about your feelings, it's something, an important thing called empathy, hopefully they learn as they get older.

You may be surprised at where you start with young kids. Once in a particularly difficult pre-school class I asked the group to help me come up with class rules. The kids' first suggestions for our list were:

no pushing,
no biting,
no hitting
and yes, no spitting.

In many ways teachers are saints for what they do, serving children all day.

But I think why this T.G.I.F. thing stuck with me is it helped me become aware of something. The way we are teaching kids their manners and how to behave, we are also teaching them their attitudes about life, what to like and dislike, and where to set their goals. We are always teaching when we are around kids.

If only I had of thought of it at the time, I could have added when I popped my head in the door, "T.G.I.F.? And don't forget T.G.I.Y. - Thank God It's YOGA!"

What do you think, is T.G.I.F. something to think about or not really that big a deal?

Aruna

www.YoungYogaMasters.com

Kids and Relaxation - a Trouble Shooting Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:38:00 +0000

Inviting Kids to Discover the Art of Relaxation

Here's the second part of the a letter I received asking about the sometimes difficult part of a kids yoga class: relaxation with kids.

Dear Aruna,

After completing my yoga therapy course I stayed in Bangalore for a couple of days and I went to teach kids yoga at my friends daughters kindergarten. 4-5 year olds, we did a "yoga safari" letting the kids imagine what animals we ran into. It was really fantastic, they loved it! The total time was around 30 minutes.

What is the ultimate time frame for small kids verses older kids? 4-5 year olds 30min? 7 year olds 1 hr? The relaxation part was the most difficult, I tried doing simple Yoga Nidra but it was not very successful.

Anna Bervander, Singapore
www.theforeststudio.com

The Ultimate Time Frame for kids yoga classes is answered in this post here.

But what about the part Anna threw in at the end about how the relaxation was the most difficult? Does relaxation with kids have to be hard?

Why Won't Kids Relax?

Here's a little trouble shooting guide that you can consider when you're wondering why the relaxation isn't going too well and also what you can do about it:

The Kids Are Not Tired: Usually at the end of an active yoga class we want to relax! So if they aren't relaxing why not add another pose onto the end. Especially a pose that helps a person sleep and works the central nervous system - like table pose. After a minute of this pose the kids are happy to lie down.

Also consider the time of the class. Some kids may have napped in the afternoon and are now coming to class - so they just slept. If the class is in the morning, they just woke up.
They don't want to relax: Certain kids don't like to be told what to do. If you say to someone, "Relax" they often respond, "I'm not tired." I give a choice during relaxation. I often play a song and invite them to either lie down or join me in meditating to the song. If you try to tell kids what to do without giving them a choice or explaining why they would want to do it, you will run into problems. Children don't follow along like an adult class would. If they don't want to do something they will straight out tell you - NO! So let them get to know what is good for them, let them decide and consider it your job to find a good way to explain the benefits so they want to relax. As they get to know you and trust you, you can explain more and more how it's good for your body, it rejuvenates, it just feels good and comfortable. But until they want to relax, I suggest letting them sit and meditate. Often my toughest customers will start of refusing to lie down, then half way through the song they will quietly repose.
They're not comfortable relaxing with strangers: In a first class like Anna had - kids aren't sure who you are and the whole experience of yoga may be new to them. Some people won't be comfortable closing their eyes and resting with strangers (both kids and adults). They will only be comfortable resting when they feel safe.
They just ate a birthday cake: You may not believe what some kids eat. The food they are taking in may make their minds very active and relaxation won't be easy for them. Consider this topic as a theme for a future yoga class if you have a regular group and maybe the kids will start to try different food choices.

Many teachers insist on Corpse pose during relaxation time. Personally, I don't spend too much time getting the children into corpse pose when I'm with a new group of kids.

I let them relax in any position at the beginning. In future classes I'll teach corpse pose as a pose first then use it in relaxation. Eventually, I'll also introduce relaxation with no music and/or guided imagery relaxations.

You Can't Teach Everything About Yoga In One Class

There are so many topics to introduce to kids in yoga, I know I can't teach them everything in one class! So if you are going into a one time class, keep this in mind. What are the main points you really want to introduce.

If you try to tell them too much they may get overloaded. If kids relax in corpse pose that is great. If they turn on their side or their back - I feel this is not the most important thing to correct as it can distract the whole group and spoil a peaceful mood with corrections and directions. I'm happy as long as they are quiet and peaceful whether they are sitting or reclined.

Aruna Humphrys

www.YoungYogaMasters.com

P.S. Deadline for Early Registration is tonight (Thursday) for this Saturday's workshop in Toronto: True Success and Mistaken Success - What is Success? (July 25, 2009) Registration now open on-line here. I invite you to join me for this powerful workshop and Say "Yes" to Success!

Times for Kids Yoga Classes

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:23:00 +0000

Build a Pyramid: One Yoga Activity for a Long Class
Aruna with a school-age class

The times for yoga classes is one of the most common questions I get asked about kids yoga. Recently asked by Anna, another yogini in Singapore:

Dear Aruna,

After completing my yoga therapy course I stayed in Bangalore for a couple of days and I went to teach kids yoga at my friends daughters kindergarten. 4-5 year olds, we did a "yoga safari" letting the kids imagine what animals we ran into. It was really fantastic, they loved it! The total time was around 30 minutes.

What is the ultimate time frame for small kids verses older kids? 4-5 year olds 30min? 7 year olds 1 hr? The relaxation part was the most difficult, I tried doing simple Yoga Nidra but it was not very successful.

Anna Bervander, Singapore
www.theforeststudio.com

There are two questions here and I'll start with the Ultimate Time Frame for classes. Then next post I'll answer the part about relaxation.

The Ultimate Time Frame for Kids Yoga
There are really two factors that are involved in choosing a length of time that may be a little surprising:

The age of the kids.

The experience, confidence, desire of the teacher.

1. The Age of the Kids
It is generally true that the younger the age of the children, the shorter their attention span. But just like all generalities, there are exceptions to the rule. Generally speaking though, there is a guideline that some teachers like to use:

The Child's age X 5 minutes = Attention Span

That means a 2 year old will have a 2 X 5 minute attention span of 10 minutes. A 4 year old will have a 4 x 5 minute attention span of 20 minutes. This rule is usually applied to kids who are sitting in a circle and discussing a topic together as a group, you can often stretch it out longer when it comes to doing something physical like yoga or a yoga game.

A Yoga Class Can Combines Many Activities
In yoga, you can use the Age X 5 Minute guideline to help decide how long the activity occurs, then put together a number of activities to create a longer class. For instance:

Activity one: Discussion of the yoga topic or theme. For instance "What is yoga?" The length of the talk will increase with the age of the children - but the time you spend on your theme will be related to how much time you have for the class. Sometime my theme talks are 2 - 15 minutes if there is a story.
Activity two: Yoga poses - like what Anna did with the yoga safari. You'll want this to be the maximum time possible since it is a yoga class. Use the Age X 5 Minute guideline here but let it go longer if the kids are still interested.
Activity three: Relaxation/meditation/songs - while adults may like to rest using the Age X 5 Minute guideline, kids times are shorter! I generally allow about 5 minutes for relaxation and meditation together.
Activity four: Game - again use the Age X 5 Minute guideline. If you have time you can play a game for up to 15 minutes or longer with older kids. The game time is usually cut down because the class is ending. That's why I do games at the end - the kids don't want to stop playing!
Activity Five: A closing and/or opening routine/song/mantra that you do every class.

To sum up: A younger class needs a shorter time class or a longer class with more activities. An older class can have a longer class time or less activities in the class.

2. The Experience, Confidence, Desire of the Teacher
When I first started teaching, I held shorter classes because I didn't have the experience to teach a longer class. I was still learning different games, themes, ideas for kids yoga. I planned every class on paper and thought of what activities I would do, timing and planning it out.

Experience Helps in a Longer Class
When you've been teaching yoga for a number of years you become a bit of a walking encyclopedia of kids yoga. You've got the experience that you can plan a class quickly, often in your head. Pick a theme for the class and go, because you've probably taught the class 100 times already. Plus you have yoga tools, music, and props in your collection. If something isn't working - you know a whole bunch of other ideas, songs, or games instantly.

Confidence Grows with Experience
Experience gives you more confidence to teach longer classes. For example, this summer at one daycare I teach three classes that are an hour long each. The first group is an hour long class with pre-schoolers aged 2 -3 years old! The second two groups are a mix of JK and SK kids, 4 - 5 year olds, also one hour long each.

I would have never attempted these times when I first started out! But now, the time goes by with lots of yoga, meditation, and activities. When we're coming to the end of 60 minutes I usually have to end a game and promise we will finish it the next week.

I also have a 30 minute school age (8 - 10 years) class in a daycare because the daycare budgets for a 30 minute class only. So I work within that time with these kids - usually cutting back on the games.

One summer I did a kids yoga camp using an Anatomy theme. The kids were older and I taught 3 1/2 hours each day for five days. We drew life-size pictures of the body and filled in the body parts.

How long a Class do you Want to Teach?
What I find now, is the only thing holding me back from doing more long classes is my own desire. I don't want to do too many of these because they take a lot of energy, your voice gets used a lot, and it's often loud. After doing long classes, I plan time to sit quietly for a few minutes and re-energize.

Anna, I hope this helps you as you start teaching kids. It sounds like Singapore has a very vibrant yoga community.

I'll answer the question about Kids relaxation next post.

Yours truly,

Aruna Humphrys
www.YoungYogaMasters.com

P.S. Toronto Yoga Workshops - This Saturday's Workshop: True Success and Mistaken Success - What is Success? early registration ends this Thursday. Register here to save and join us for an uplifting workshop where we come to truly understand what success is.

P.P.S. Kids Yoga Teacher Training In Singapore - If you are at all interested in doing a Kids Yoga training in Singapore let me know. For those near to Singapore - it would be an easy way to train in Kids Yoga. For those far - what a great working vacation! Send me an e-mail at Aruna@YogaUnlimited.com and we'll see how it can happen.

The Brainwashed Children

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Sometimes people talk about not wanting to brainwash kids with yoga ideas. Is it fair to tell kids all this "yoga philosophy" while they are young - before they can think for themselves - they wonder.

May I suggest you watch the video below and you'll see that THE BRAINWASHING HAS ALREADY BEGUN.

If your kids are plugged in, in any way - whether it is TV, Internet, games, movies, even their clothing and lunchboxes - there are people trying to brainwash them into becoming believers in their product.

These companies are very strategically and deliberately trying to create customers, loyal customers who are devoted to their products. They want them to become lifelong basketball fans, porshe drivers, and soda drinkers. They want kids to think their product is not just a product - but stands for something that is cool, right, and important.

So if you ask me if I'm trying to brainwash kids with yoga ideas: you better believe I am.

I don't feel bad about it one single bit. I know the seeds I'm planting are to create lifelong yoga devotees. People who think for ourselves, live creatively and with imaginative, and understand what true success and happiness are all about. I also want kids to think yoga is not just a physical product - but stands for something that is cool, right, and important.

What about you - who else will admit to trying to brainwash kids?!

I wonder, once a corporation admits to targeting children in advertising, do they get better at it?

Thanks to Daughter of Zion where I saw this video.

Yours truly,

Aruna Humphrys
www.YoungYogaMasters.com

P.S. There are a still spots left for my upcoming Saturday afternoon workshops on The Foundation of True Success. Register early to save!

Mother, Are We Poor?

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:26:00 +0000

Kids know joy is the true wealth.

I wrote this post about success earlier this week, and then this story appeared in my in-box in a newsletter from Touchstone Seminars. It's a very short story from Tulshi Sen about understanding success:

There was a poor boy who went to his mother. She was a widow.

He said, "Mother are we poor?" His mother said to him,

"No son, we are very rich and someday we will have money."

That is exactly what the mother wanted to tell the son,

you attract what you are, you never attract what you want.

I wish I could be in Vancouver for the upcoming Success seminar with Tulshi Sen on July 25-26. It's called: The Master Key for Success for Today's World. What we believe is the Master Key. But how do we increase our "Believe level?" If you are in or near Vancouver - click here for details of the seminar - from my experience with Tulshi Sen as a teacher/mentor the weekend will be life changing.

This was another part of the inspiration for my two afternoon workshops coming up in Toronto. Are we conscious about what we teach kids about success? This is why we will deeply examine True success in this workshop. The details are here. We can teach kids a greater understanding of success but only if we first understand it ourselves.

Let's consciously teach kids what it means to be rich and poor. This story helps us contemplate what being poor and being rich is, and how we talk to kids about it.

Yours truly,

Aruna Humphrys
www.YoungYogaMasters.com

P.S. There will be a weekend with Tulshi Sen in Toronto in October on The Master Key to Success in Today's World. I'll let you know when as soon as the dates are announced.

Do You Want to Be Famous?

noreply@blogger.com (Teaching Kids Yoga) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:22:00 +0000

It's Summer Yoga Time!

Hello all,

Today, I want to start off with some questions for you:

Do you want to be famous?
What is your idea of Success? What do we teach kids about success?
How do we inspire kids to challenge themselves but not get fanatical.
How do we teach children and teens about moderation but also keep them from getting lazy?
How can kids be self sufficient and also be able to love others?

These are the questions many parents and teachers ask themselves. If we don't examine these questions for ourselves - we are probably just passing on ideas of success that we've learned without thinking about it.

For instance - here were some ideas I learned from all over about what success is. I'm not saying they are wrong or right, but they are things I didn't examine for myself until I thought about what true success is. Maybe they're familiar to you?

Success is never calling in sick to school or work.
Success is having a boyfriend/husband.
Success is not being in debt/and not being greedy.
Success is getting a good, secure job, and then working hard to get promoted.
Success is getting good grades.
Success is being able to do wheel pose.
Success is getting into my "skinny" clothes.
Success is being nice to others.

Yikes - don't get me started. All these ideas of what I thought it was to be good/successful.

What is True Success?

It wasn't till a close friend/relative of mine passed on that I realized how many of these things don't really matter in this short life we've got. So, what does it mean to be a success?

Some people have been asking about my next Kids Yoga Training course, but I find the summer time is too busy to do a long training course. So we'll put this twelve hour course off till the fall. This summer I will be holding two short workshops, in Toronto, where we will examine The Foundation of True Success.

Do Your Kids Want to Be Famous?
These workshops were inspired in part by Michael Jackson's recent passing. He "had it all" yet True Success was another story. This topic is also inspired by the large number of children that tell me they want to be famous when they grow up. Through yoga and meditation we can offer kids alternative notions of success, beyond fame and wealth.

While success does not have to leave out fame and wealth - what is it really? If success is fame or money or even a great yoga body - why is the misery of so many rich, famous, beautiful people plastered all over the tabloid magazines?

So let's start the discussion here and for those who can make it, we'll really get into it in the workshops. I think it is an important topic for all teachers and parents!

Tell me What is True Success to you? or if you prefer What Isn't Success?

Leave your comment here. I also invite you to join us for one or both of these summer workshops (click here for details) called: The Foundation of True Success.

By understanding what success is and meditating on our personal vision of success, we can Consciously discuss the idea of success with the kids we love and teach rather than leaving it to magazines, TV, and other media.

Workshop #1:
True Success and Mistaken Success - What is Success?
Saturday, July 25, 1 - 4 pm, Toronto, Canada

Workshop #2

Defining and Experiencing Your Success
Saturday, August 22, 1 - 4 pm, Toronto, Canada

All the details of the workshop are here. Space is limited so register early. Each workshop will include yoga, meditation, and a comprehensive look at True Success and how we can experience more of it in our lives.

My Favorite Success Quote:
I'll start the discussion here with one of my favorite quotes on success:

"The yardstick of success is not measured by fame and wealth; it is measured by your level of understanding of who you are, why you are here, and where are you going from here. Your measure of your success is your own happiness quotient."

p. 17, Tulshi Sen, author of
Ancient Secrets of Success for Today's World

I love the idea of measuring success by our happiness quotient! It gives each person the freedom to do what makes them happy - to FOLLOW YOUR BLISS. What makes us happy is always evolving too, so its not as easy as it may appear, and yet it also is.

Now its your turn. Think about success and leave a comment on what it means to you. If you are in the area I'd love to see you at the workshops.

Aruna Humphrys
www.YoungYogaMasters.com