To teach kids we recommend a foundation in anatomy about kids and also fun ways to teach anatomy to kids.  We do a day and a half of this in our Kids Yoga Teacher Certification. Yoga Alliance required 10 hours of anatomy training for Children’s Yoga Teacher Certification.

Anatomy is for the body, mind and spirit.  While the body and mind are very tangible and rooted in science, the spirit part is rooted in the Yogic Sciences.

When it comes to anatomy of the spirit, we teach Chakras for Children.  For example this picture that illustrates the location of the Chakras. It’s just one part of our 100 plus page Ages and Stages teacher training manual.

Chakra Activities for Kids

Try these activities to teach kids about the Chakras:

• Did you know the Chakras are the same colours as the rainbow? They are the same order too.  Young children can draw a rainbow over the picture above.

• One of my favorite activities for children nine years and older is again to introduce the chakras based on their colour. I’ll ask the children why they chose the colour clothes they are wearing.  Did they pick a colour to match their mood?  Did they just grab something without really thinking? Then we compare the colours people are wearing to the qualities of the Chakras. Does the Chakra match?  The kids clamor to find out what their colour means.  If someone is wearing a colour that is not a Chakra colours, we see if it is made of a combination of Chakra colours. It’s a great way to get kids interested.

In yoga teacher training an important element is physical anatomy.  Equally important in yoga training is the journey though the chakras, the spiritual anatomy.

You are invited to come get all these great tools and more in our Kids Yoga Teacher Training Certification.

Important Reminder:

Early-Early Registration Deadline for Summer Certification

The Retreat Centre for the Summer Certification

Come get your 95 Hour Certification from our Registered Children’s Yoga School in 10 days this summer.

In one wonderful, energizing week you will stay at Jericho House retreat with all your meals provided. Focus on completing the Kids Yoga Teacher Certification and meet others with a passion for yoga and children.

You will leave a Kids Yoga Teacher!

Save $200

You save up to $200 by registering by Monday July 1.

Here is the link to the training information and registration page.

I’d love to see you there and get you Certified as a Kids Yoga Teacher.

Remember, when looking for Kids Yoga Teacher Training, look for the Registered Children’s Yoga School logo. Make sure your training count towards your Certification.

What people tell me about are opportunities to see if I’m hitting the mark and also to determine new directions.

When we talk about business in our Kids Yoga Teacher Training, everyone is encouraged to spend some time just listening to their existing and potential customers to see what they want.

When you appreciate the value of listening to your customer, you’ll appreciate what I discovered this year at the booth.

This is the third year I’ve shared a booth with my dear friend Janet Williams of Children’s Yoga Books.  Each year we have more and more kids tools for our 5 ft x 10 ft booth. The crowd at the show also seems to be getting bigger too. There is often a pack of yogis at our table because the items there attract attention.  We know that working with children, attention-getters are what you want.

Janet with a happy customer and The Breathing Ball which was a Big Hit - whether it was big or small : )

On the main stage we taught a 60 minute class that flew by called “Teach Yoga Kids Love” and a “Kids Mandala Workshop” on the side stage.

The community made Mandalas at our Mandala workshop turned out so nice. Everyone got a chance to do some stamping.

This was also the first year we presented ourselves as a Registered Children’s Yoga School (RCYS)!

It was cathartic to recognize what a big change we had made in less than a year.  We had our Registered Children’s Yoga School (RCYS) seal proudly on display.  I was happy with that accomplishment and we got feedback that others wanted to see it too.

Now I have to confess I was also a little anxious before the show because we had five new products on the table. But it was nothing to worry about in the end because people loved the new items like the breathing balls, Yoga Alphabet Cards and the new Eco Mat with kids yoga poses on it and absolutely no PVC in it.

Eco Mats - see the open mat hanging on the wall in the background? People wanted these mats for the yoga poses on them and for those with sensitivities. With no PVC they are better for the environment and our health.

We divided the booth into two sections, one with kids yoga tools that were flying off the table. The other section was teacher training. We had longer conversations in this area. Conversations that revealed quite a few confessions from kids yoga teachers. This is what our visitors shared:

Confessions from the Kids Yoga Booth:

• Who can teach kids?  A lot of people were surprised to hear that you don’t legally need a license to teach kids yoga, at least not in Canada. It may be different where you live.

• Yoga Alliance Designations: Then surprise turned to contemplation to discover the industry standard of 95 hours of kids’ yoga training and 200 hours of adult yoga teacher training. I confirmed with Yoga Alliance that trainings may be taken in any order.  Anyone who has taught yoga to children knows that one way or another it really does take a lot of hours to get good at teaching kids yoga
  

  It was amazing how many kids did some yoga right in the middle of our booth. We loved it because they demonstrated how much kids get inspired by the right tools.

• Some people divulged they were already teaching kids yoga with no training and it wasn’t always going so well.

• Quite a few admitted that they were certified kids’ yoga teachers but had never actually taught a child. As a RCYS,  18 hours of the training must be with children. This practicum is one of my favorite parts of the Certification process because it gives student’s such confidence to have actually taught kids classes.

• One of the most interesting confessions was from one of the volunteers at the Show.  She confessed to agreeing to volunteer to see if there really was interest in kids’ yoga.  She worked so hard at the show, she’s now certain that it is popular.
  

  Here are Janet and I with a happy teacher who asked us to autograph our books. That was a first for me. Both these resources come with the training.

• A lot of people just wanted to see what they got in the Teacher Training before they signed up.  They got to look through the manuals and see the books, cards, and all the resources they get.

• One of my favorite bits of sleuth work was around the Summer Training Intensive.  I got asked a lot: How can the Summer Intensive be $200 less than the weekend certification when it includes lodging and meals?  We cover examples of pricing strategies in the Branching Out Certificate of our RCYS. In this case, I’m offering this big discount only till April 15 because on April 16 I have to either pay a deposit or cancel the booking at the retreat centre. That means committing to a minimum of 10 people.  Many yoga teachers have lost money when no students show up.  So the early discount is a strategy I use and recommend to gauge interest to decide whether to book or not to book.
  

  Thanks to all the volunteers at our booth. It was wonderful to have these young men representing yoga.

I’ve mentioned before that one big reason I love the yoga show is that it gets me face to face with my people.  It’s an opportunity  to have conversations and listen to what people are looking for in Kids Yoga. It also helps me decide what direction to take for next year.

So thank you to everyone who came by.

If you are a yoga teacher, consider looking for opportunities for you to listen to confessions from your clients. Can you name the confessions your customers make?  I invite you to  share them in the comments as I have shared them above.

And for those who are interested in becoming a Certified Kids Yoga Teacher, now you know why you still have a few days to get a deal on the Summer Intensive.

Aruna

Last week I got a nice surprise from one of the kids at the end of yoga class that would be a great surprise for your kids for Valentine’s Day to truly show you care.

First, a bit about last week’s surprise, which came on a day that should have been a snow day. 30 centimeters (about 12″) of snow kept falling and falling, making the roads and sidewalks super slippery.  Half the kids were absent.  But school was on so I braved the storm and went to teach yoga.

Second, you have to know that in my toddler yoga class we finish with the toddlers coming up for a hug, it’s a little routine we all love.  This study shows how Depriving Babies of Cuddles Does Long Term Harm.  Hugging is an acceptable practice with this age group.

Try Bicycle Legs for Valentine's Yoga Class

Also know, two weeks ago, 7 kids moved from the toddler room (walking – 36 months) to the preschool room (3 – 5 yrs).  In the preschool room  hugs are not part of the routine, teachers reduce hugging as the kids get older.

The Spontaneous Hug

However, the day of the storm, with so many children away,  and so many new toddlers there, spontaneous hugging broke out at the end of the preschool yoga class.

Now, here’s where I got surprised. It was something a 4 year old boy said.  He kept coming back for more hugs. Every time a space opened up in front of me, there he was with a big smile and his arms out.  This continued until all the kids who wanted a hug got a hug.  The boy probably had five hugs and remained alone with a big smile. He said, “Can you stay all day and give me hugs?”

The reason I was surprised was because that type of big statement is usually the kind I make.  He had taken my line!

A Fun Classroom Management Tip

Whenever the kids ask for something, if I can’t give them what they want for real, I give them what they ask for in a wish or a fantasy.  It’s a trick I learned in this this wonderful classroom management book.

So if the kids say something like:

Kids: “No, don’t end class. Can we do one more song?”

I’ll respond:  “Wouldn’t  it be great if I could stay all day and we could do yoga and songs all day!”

To which they all cheer, YES!

I agree that it would be awesome and once that feeling is acknowledged by all of us, it is much easier to say, “Alas, there are other kids waiting for their yoga class.”

Granting Wishes as Classroom Management

Giving kids what they want in a Wish is an effective strategy for classroom management.  Without it I don’t know how I’d deal with all the kids’ requests I receive. Here’s another common example:

Child:  “Miss Yoga, can we do (kids suggestion of a pose or activity) now!”

Wish Granting Yoga Teacher:  “Would you like to have a class where you got to pick all the poses?”

Child:  “Yes!”

Wish Granting Yoga Teacher:  “That would be fun.  I’ll plan a class like that another time.  Now lets do (the lesson plan).”

It’s much easier to move on when the feeling has been acknowledged.  So I was surprised when the boy went straight to the big wish.

Acknowledging Feelings as Classroom Management

Try mini pyramids for Valentine's Day, either kneeling or standing. Make sure you have mats or a spotter.

Usually I’m the one taking it up a notch, now here stands this 4 year old with his big wish: “Can you stay all day and give me hugs?”

Do you know what I said?

“I wish I could because I really like being with you.”

I got one more hug, and then the boy joined the line-up leaving for playtime in the gym. I didn’t need to say anything else.

On days like this, even with a miserable snow storm going on, it feels like teaching kids yoga is the greatest job on earth.

For Valentine Day this week consider surprising your kids by granting them a wish or a fantasy. Just like in yoga, acknowledging feelings helps release resistance and everyone feels good.

Announcing: Upcoming Teacher Training Specials

Come get more great tips like this one and the Certificate to prove what you know at the Young Yoga Masters Teacher Training:

New Teacher Training at a Special Price:

We’ve lowered the price on two upcoming Teacher Training Modules: Yoga Literacy (Feb. 23 -24) and Ages and Stages (April 13 – 14).  Check out the new reduced price here.

Summer Intensive – July 19 – 28

Full Certification: 95 Hour Kids Yoga Teacher Certification with Young Yoga Masters, a Registered Children’s Yoga School with Yoga Alliance.  Stay with us for 9 nights by the beautiful shores of Lake Erie, Canada. You’ll leave a Kids Yoga Teacher!  Full Details Here

Young Yoga Masters has been focusing on Teacher Training lately.  With each Module, new teachers express their gratitude for the opportunity to train with real kids present. Seeing kids do yoga illuminates the difference between yoga with kids and yoga with adults.

For instance, here we are practicing a back rub technique in the adult part of the training, before the kids arrive.

Adults line up nicely and wait for their turn.

Now here’s what the same exercise looks like with the kids present:

Children offer a back rub to the adults.

Kids hover over the activity, they do not quietly wait for their turn. They’ve got to see what’s happening! Especially the little ones.

Expect Enthusiasm with Kids Yoga, Encourage it with Adults

When adults do yoga they may ask a question now or then. Rarely do adults jump up to ask a question or make a comment with this kind of enthusiasm:

Kids carry their zest for life into yoga class.

Mind you, I’ve had many adults shoot me the “stink eye” when I give a hard yoga pose. Kids will shoot you the stink eye if they don’t like a pose, but they will also protest with words too. You’ve got to be ready for it by giving kids a challenge to keep going. Like saying, “Can you do 20 seconds of that pose? Let’s time it.”

But the biggest difference is the reward you feel when a child exudes joy during your yoga class.

When a child is having a good time, you usually know it!

Yoga Alliance Requires Teacher Training be with Real Children

Yoga with real children, like the kids in these Training Camp pictures, has to be experienced not talked about.  Experience goes right to the heart.

If you are considering a Teacher Training I highly recommend one with time observing an experienced teacher teaching real children. It should also have time for practice teaching with real children with your mentor present. Yoga Alliance requires 18/95 hours be Practicum hours observing and teaching with real children present.

Here are a few of the things new teachers have discovered through this process:

• You march, stretch, play and unwind with kids yoga.  You don’t expect to stay in one place.
• Teachers don’t get upset when kids squeal with delight, they expect it, and sometimes encourage it.
• And when kids protest when a game ends too early, teachers rejoice. The protests mean kids will want to come back for more. If you end a game too late, kids lose interest in the game and in yoga class too. You learn to not be afraid of a protest.

Salute the Kids When You Salute the Sun

One of the biggest realizations for new teachers is to let kids be kids. Honour kids, don’t try to make them mini adults.  Here is something to learn from kids:

"I am Authentic" - the affirmation chosen by one student.

I think teaching yoga to kids helps adults be more authentic.  When you do yoga with kids, let them be kids, let them be authentic.  You may be surprised how a good dose of authenticity from kids enhances your own curiosity, enthusiasm, and joy.

What would you call the biggest difference between teaching yoga to adults and children?

I invite you to share your experience in the comments.

Announcing: Upcoming Teacher Training Specials

Two New Weekend Modules at a Special Price:

We’ve lowered the price on two upcoming Teacher Training Modules: Yoga Literacy (Feb. 23 -24) and Ages and Stages (April 13 – 14).  Check out the new reduced price when you register for two modules here.

Summer Intensive – July 19 – 28

Come get your 95 Hour Kids Yoga Teacher Certification with Young Yoga Masters, a Registered Children’s Yoga School.  Stay with us for 9 nights by the beautiful shores of Lake Erie, Canada. You’ll leave a Kids Yoga Teacher!  Full Details Here

Yoga Man - the Yoga Super Hero

When I was a kid I loved watching the Justice League, the caped crusaders who banded together to fight evil.  It was exciting to see all that power in one room.

Many years later, one of my first yoga students owned a very popular restaurant in downtown Toronto.  She came in one day talking about a new restaurant opening down the street from her. You might think she would be upset about the competition, but she was actually happy. Over the years their location had become known as a “restaurant district.” Great eateries banding together actually helped their bistro businesses boom. It was a lessons on how to be creative rather than competitive.

Banding together isn’t just for Super Heroes and Restaurants

Today I want to tell you about the incredible way Kids Yoga Teachers from around the world are banding together to create something good for all of us.  Here’s how you can be part of it.

Leah Kalish, founder of Move with Me Yoga, is a finalist in the Partnership for a Healthier America – End Childhood Obesity Innovation Challenge.  She is now 1 of 10 finalists vying for the top three spots, to win prizes that include a lot of exposure for kids’ yoga!  If we all band together to get votes we can put her into the top three.

It’s just great in so many ways. You help children because:

“Pre-schoolers who are overweight or obese are five times more likely to stay that way.  Pre-school is the key time to instill healthy physical activity and self-regulation habits that will last a lifetime.”

-          Leah Kalish, Move with Me

It’s also great because you can:

Win One of 65+ Prizes from the Kids Yoga Community

Equally inspiring to me, is the support the Kids Yoga Community is showing. To get people to vote, over 65 kids yoga prizes have been donated by Children’s Yoga Leaders from around the world.  These include Young Yoga Masters prizes:

• The Frog Yoga Alphabet Teacher Training Double Pack
• Yoga Man vs. The Stressor, Yoga for Boys Teacher Training
  

  The Frog Yoga Alphabet - one of the prizes to be won.

Here’s how you can band together to promote kids yoga.  Then if you want, enter yourself for the draw for some great prizes:

1. Vote now for Move with Me Yoga in the Innovation Challenge Contest here.
2. Then Enter the Raffle here for a chance to win one of the 65+ Prizes (see the full prize list here too).
3. Tell your friends and get more entries for the 65+ Prizes here.

If You Believe Yoga Can Help End Childhood Obesity – Vote Now

Not only will you be helping a wonderful kids’ yoga teacher, you’ll be helping to get kids yoga recognized as an innovative way to end childhood obesity.  Which in turn adds credibility to all the kids’ yoga teachers of the world.

Do what you can to help. I’d love to see a Young Yoga Masters blog reader walk home with some sweet yoga for children loot.

Please leave a comment if you have any questions or any problems filling in the info.

Yours truly,

Aruna Kathy Humphrys
www.YoungYogaMasters.com

P.S.  At the time of this post Move with me had slipped to 4^th place in the voting (5 votes behind the important 3^rd place spot).  We need your help to get to 3^rd or 2^nd place.  Get kids healthy and get kids yoga recognized too! Vote now.