Earth Day and The Earth Element

Photo from Seven Spirals, A Chakra Sutra for Kids Book

Today is Earth Day but we know we want everyday to be earth day!

In honour of Mother Earth I’ve three strange and unusual yoga things planned for yoga class today:

1. Earth Yoga: We lie down on the floor and begin jumping all parts of the body like popcorn.  First we lie on our back, then do it again lying on our front.    Both are very grounding as all parts of the body are lifted then dropped back down improving circulation.
2. Sun Salutations: A little talk about the earth element, rooting down, and being grounded as we do the Sun Salutation.  The light of the sun brings the earth to life.  The light within us warms our lives. Yoga helps our inner light to shine in our lives.
3. Earth is Manifestation: The Earth represents manifestation.  When we relax today we’ll have a daydreaming session about what kind of life you want to manifest.  Unfortunately we don’t have time to draw in these classes (they’re only 30 minutes).  The kids will have to paint a picture in their minds eye.

Young Yoga Masters Updates

• I’d also like to invite everyone to click here to listen to Donna Freeman (Yoga In My School blog) interviewing me about Yoga for Boys.  I give some useful tips for motivating boys to do yoga, themes I use with boys, and my favorite exercises for boys.
• Thanks to nursingschools.net who named Young Yoga Masters as one of the 100 Incredible Yoga Teachers Who Blog.
• Upcoming Kids Yoga Teacher Trainings:  The April 30-May 2 weekend training has only 3 spots left.  Sign up ASAP to reserve your spot before the course is filled.
• A new Kids Yoga Teacher Training Weekend is taking place at Tula Yoga Studio in Toronto on Sat. May 15 & Sun. May 16. For info and registration info click here.

As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Happy Earth Day,

Aruna
Aruna@YoungYogaMasters.com

Yoga, Obesity, and Weight Loss

Yoga has many role models from fat happy Buddha’s to skinny contortionists, although one of my pet peeves is that everyone in the yoga magazines leans towards the later.  As someone who thought about weight a lot, especially as a teen, I found this info on Obesity from the Vitality and Stress course very interesting.

A person’s weight can affect their stress and their stress affects their body weight.  We know childhood obesity is a big concern for parents.  What I learned last week is our view of the cause of weight problems is distorted and can increase stress and makes matters worse.

The Survey Results
In surveys most people believe will power is the biggest factor in weight problems (60%), followed by lifestyle (25%), and genes (15%).  However the facts show weight problem factors are the opposite:  5% willpower, 50% lifestyle, and 45% genetic.  If we believe people are overweight because they lack will power or are lazy – we add to their stress and at the same time we don’t address the actual problem.

Our best results for weight loss come through lifestyle modifications.  Here are some to encourage:

• a good night’s sleep is proven to help balance your weight,
• use smaller plates (6″ plates are best) helps reduce food intake,
• stay hydrated by drinking water, sometimes we’re thirsty when we think we’re hungry,
• add exercise to our lifestyle like a sun salutation or some favorite yoga poses, start with small amounts then increase times,
• bring awareness to our eating:  look at how we deal with our feelings, notice what we eat, how we eat, and when we eat.

It’s been proven over and over that diets and short-term exercise plans just don’t work in the long term.  As teachers, do we push for these?  Do we make kids feel like they lack will power?

My mentor often gives of an Ancient  meditation that includes these words:

When kids are unhappy because of their body, they don’t understand who they really are.  If our happiness is related to our body, then we are destined to diminishing happiness. As far as I know there has never been a  body that has not eventually become food for the worms.

Will power relies on the mind and we all know the tricks the mind can play.

When we rely on Consciousness, I Am, as our true support, we find happiness in all conditions regardless of circumstances like how we look.  This is the way to become the masters of our happiness. Then only can we see that our body is ours, we can be free to choose the lifestyle we want to live.

Then we are truly living the yogic lifestyle.

Has weight been a concern for others out there?

Kids Pick their Favorite Yoga Poses

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:

1. 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.

2. 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).
3. Cobra Pose: check out this beautiful description of Cobra on a great kids yoga blog: YogaInMySchool.com. Cobra is always a favorite.
4. Downward Dog: Again always a favorite for kids and everyone can do it.
5. 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.)
6. King Cobra Pose: Again a favorite and picked again even though someone had already picked cobra earlier.
7. 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.
8. 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!
9. 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.
10. Tree Pose: Children love the challenge of tree pose, it takes a lot of mental strength.
11. 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.

e-Tools: instant download

Introducing New e-Tools You Download and Print As Often As You Like

• Have you ever used your yoga resources with kids only to have them torn, crumpled, or chewed?
• Have you had to replace books because the pages are falling out?
• Do you hesitate when kids ask if they can hold your material?
• Have you ever uttered the words: “You’re standing on the book.”  “Don’t put that in your mouth.” or “Books aren’t for writing on!”
• Do you want to build your business to include kids yoga?
• Are you looking to build a Kids Yoga toolkit that can stay fresh forever.

As anyone who spends time with kids knows, they are impulsive!   Before you know it a page is ripped or a book is thrown, with no thought of where they came from or who buys or replaces them.

After working with kids for over 10 years I have learned that my books and resources are part of the tools necessary for working with kids.  They can make or break my kids yoga classes.  Books and stories are used over and over again from year to year, from class to class.  Without these tools I can’t keep the kids interested and I don’t have the variety that is needed when teaching kids.

I’ve also learned the hard way that these tools don’t last forever.  I wanted to find a solution to replacing my books.  I want to let kids get involved with the material without having to worry about it getting damaged.

Why Buy Books that get Ruined and Need Replacing
When You Can Just Download and Print Anytime?

These days its so easy to download.  With the click of a button we can get things instantly.  No waiting for delivery, no wondering if it will get there in time.  And best of all, we can print off what we want when we want it.

So I started to develop the products I wished for as a Kids Yoga Teacher. The best and most convenient tools would be:

• Yoga especially designed for kids;
• Yoga poses and also a coloring book;
• Instant download – no waiting for delivery;
• A good price I only pay once – no replacement costs;
• Gives clear directions on how to teach it;
• Has all the information needed for safety to prevent injury;
• I print it so I don’t have to worry about it getting ruined;
• The kids can keep them to put on their fridge (it reminds them of yoga class);
• Not just good for one class, I can print them over and over for years to come.

People from all over the world have been asking me what tools I use to teach kids and now I can recommend what is most useful for a teacher.  Check out these New products available:

New:  Yoga For Boys

Presenting yoga that boys can get excited about.  The Sun Salutation is great for beginners to advanced students.  This download stars a fearless Action Hero:  Yoga Man!  For boys, each pose is an exciting challenge and an adventure in the life of a superhero.  Imagination is activated as kids do yoga, color in the pictures, and make up stories.

Product Release Date:  Fall 2010

New:  The Yoga Alphabet Coloring Book

Young kids will love coloring, doing yoga, and learning the Alphabet!  These charming brother and sister frogs show us that Frogs and Yoga spells FUN!  Each letter of the alphabet has a yoga pose suitable for young children. Twenty Six pages and poses give kids a head start on the reading, fine and gross motor skills, and fosters a love of exercise through yoga.

Product Release Date:  Winter 2010

Recommend These Tools and Supplement Your Income

We all know parents and teachers can always use a little extra income.  You may want to take advantage of this opportunity to earn extra income for yourself or your family by doing what you believe in:  spreading kids yoga.

If you like these products and use them with others, you’re bound to be asked where you got them.  Help yourself and others bring the joy of yoga to kids by becoming a Young Yoga Masters (YYM) Affiliate.

Each customer agrees to honor our terms to use the files only for individual use as a teacher or parent.  That means no copying or sending the file to others, each person must buy their own copy.  We think this is fair and this is how we keep costs down.

So if others are asking you where you got your great kids yoga tools, you can refer them to your affiliate program.  Qualified YYM Affiliates make a percentage from each sale you refer.  You can refer other teachers, parents, or readers of your blog.  Best of all there is no inventory and no shipping.  You just refer them to your website link or give them your coupon code. All sales and your commissions are  tracked and the products you recommend are instantly e-mailed to your customers for you.

If you would like more information about the Young Yoga Masters Affiliate Program:

e-mail: Aruna@YoungYogaMasters.com with “Affiliate Information” in the subject line.

We would love to work with you to spread the joy of yoga to kids.

Sun Salutations – Music for the Sun Salutation

Sun Salutation – Dance for the Sun
by Kira Willey (listen here)

(I downloaded this Kira Willey’s CD from itunes and have listened to it outside of my yoga class – catchy tunes!)

The traditional Kundalini Yoga closing that I use in my kids yoga class goes (listen here):

May the long time sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light within you
Guide your way on…
Sat Nam

This song fits in with the Sun Salutation and most of the kids in my classes know it because we sing it at the end of every class. There’s a beautiful version linked above from this CD (by the way, I have every one of Snatam Kaur’s CD’s):

Aruna Humphrys
www.YoungYogaMasters.com

P.S. Next Posts I have a couple questions from readers! One about how to get everyone’s attention to start your yoga classes, and what to do when kids are dropped off early. The other question is about and how to get started blogging. I’ll let you know a few things that helped me in both these situations as well as how to avoid some of the mistakes I made.

Subscribing for Teaching Kids Yoga in your E-mail
It’s free to sign up for the blog in your e-mail by putting your address in sign up area at the top right on the page. By the way – be sure to check for the confirmation e-mail the happens with every sign-up. It should come within minutes of signing up. If you don’t see it check your spam box.

© K. Humphrys

Sun Salutations – Ways to Explain the Sun Salutation to Kids

He also said,

That is how powerful our Consciousness is and why we salute the sun. We’re saluting that light, we’re honouring and obeying that light, and devoting ourselves to live in that light. Everything else will seem faint in comparison.

© K. Humphrys

Sun Salutation for Kids – Waking Up In the Dark

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night when it was completely dark?

Did you grope around in the dark trying to find the light switch, arms flailing around for protection, inching along trying to find the light without bumping into anything? Afraid for your shins? Stubbing your toe? Running your hand all over the wall feeling for the switch, only to discover you are on the wrong wall?

When you finally do find the switch and the light comes on, it is like magic. Everything is as clear as day, there is no mystery anymore. You can just head off the the bathroom or where ever you were going.

The Sun is the light that lights up everyday of our lives.
It is the light that chases away the darkness of the night. The sun is the force that we can count on so much so, we rarely think about it, and we probably never worry whether it will come up tomorrow. That is how much we believe in the sun.

Have You Ever Worried that the Sun Won’t Rise? Probably not.
When we do the Sun Salutation, we honour the light of the sun and we also honour the light that is in us, our Consciousness. We train our minds to recognize that we can depend on Consciousness the same way we can depend on the sun rising every morning.

The Sun Salutation is great exercise, but it is also a mental discipline to train the mind to depend on the Consciousness. No matter how much it feels like we are stumbling around in the dark, we train ourselves to turn on the inner light switch that is always there to illuminate our true feelings. We make a habit to turn inward just like the earth turns towards the sun every morning.

Through yoga and meditation like this we orient our world, intentionally, toward the light, the light that is within us. Doing the Sun Salutation is like asking the sun to rise in our life.

Aruna Humphrys

Sun Salutation for Kids – How to Remove Darkness

Sun Salutation to Remove Darkness

Sun Salutation for Kids – Saluting the Eternal Light Within Us

Sun Salutation – My Favorite for Kids Yoga

In Kids Yoga I like a very simple version of sun salutation. I teach it slowly and use one word descriptions, which is useful when we start to go faster. Here is what I call the poses, but I suggest you use the names that you are comfortable with.

Refer to the video above to see the version I am talking about.

1. Prayer Pose
2. Sun
3. Earth
4. Lunge
5. Plank
6. Belly
7. Cobra
8. Down Dog
9. Lunge
10. Earth
11. Sun
12. Mountain

Make it Simple to Follow
When working with kids I have found it much easier to use short, even one word, directions. I makes it easier for kids to follow.

I’d love to hear other versions of the Sun Salutation that you use.

© K. Humphrys

Next Page »