People ask me all the time what they can get a child as a yoga-themed present. Because of this, I have a web boutique called RedYogaMat.com. It’s a one-stop shopping experience where you can find:
Have fun shopping at http://www.redyogamat.com/shop/
image from sunshinesilks.com
The longer I teach yoga to kids, the more I look for fun ways for children to experiment and enjoy moving their bodies. Creative movement is such a wonderful way to make exercise and stretching fun! Here are some of my favorite creative movement activities (and although they aren’t all exactly yoga poses, they are mind/body exercises):
A find that “creative” time is a good balance to poses that require some attention to alignment (Like the warrior poses and Triangle). Reward attention paid to alignment with some creative time afterwards… Or, use creative time to release some energy before moving into poses that require some stillness.
Have fun!
There are always days when it seems like the last thing the kids in my yoga class want to do is…. yoga! So this is when it takes patience and creativity to get the children’s attention. These are some of my tricks that I use depending on what feels right in the moment:
I switch up these various tools to keep my students’ attention (and my own sanity). Have fun and don’t forget to keep your sense of humour!
It’s fun to make a treat together in yoga kids classes. I found this fantastic idea on Blonde Designs:
http://blonde-designs.squarespace.com/blonde-designs-blog/2009/11/20/blessings-mix.html
Some of the things in it aren’t the healthiest (Bugles…), but I like to teach nutrition with the idea of everything in moderation!
I can’t wait to make some!
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/13/kids.yoga/index.html
This is a great article and video on yoga for kids! check it out!
If I’ve learned anything in my teaching, it is to keep things fun and new (for myself and the kids!) I Nothing seems to spruce up a yoga class better than some new props! Sometimes I feel like I have to spend lots of money on expensive, fun props, but sometimes the cheapest really are the best… Here are some great, inexpensive props all under $20 and some for free:
1. Pom-poms -
Use them to have kids do breath work. Put them on the ground and blow them, or blow at them through a straw. My preschool kids go bananas for these!
2. Bubbles – Great breath play, and you can usually get a package of bubbles at a party supply store or at Oriental Trading Company.
3. Paper plates- A paper plate can be a steering wheel in Car Pose, a shell in Turtle Pose, a plate in Table Pose, a sun for sun salutations, a dish of milk in Cat Pose, a bowl of Dog Food in Dog Pose, and on and on… Decorate them with markers as a fun craft- make your own mandalas. For less environmental guilt, get them at Whole Foods where they are biodegradable or recycled.
4. Easter Egg Shakers-
Take large dried lima beans and put them in plastic easter eggs- viola! Musical egg shakers to dance and move with.
5. Tulle- A long streamer of tulle (sp?) is a fun dance streamer. Fun for music and creative movement.
6. Dry erase paperboard- Use these over and over, for drawing crafts, visual displays, card games, etc…
7. Music- Download a fun song or two off of I-Tunes, or get a CD that you know you will use all of the songs over and over again to get your money’s worth (like Kira Willey’s Dance for the Sun on redyogamat.com, or any of the Laurie Berkner CD’s)
8. Library books- lots of fun books can be found at the library, and they are free! Just remember to return them on time (I seem to have trouble with that…)
9. Nature- Go on a nature walk at the beach, in the woods, etc. Gather anything that you might want to use in a yoga class as a prop. Rocks are fun focuses for balances and can be used to create worry stones or inspirational paperweights (decorate with words like “peace”, “love”, “Namaste”.) Or simply gather some flowers, feathers, driftwood, etc that would make a nice altar for the class. Of course, be respectful with what you take and use… Also, a bouquet of gerbera daisies are one of my favorite props. They cost only a few bucks, and can be wonderful for gazing meditations, or a gift at the end of a yoga class for each child. There is something magical about yoga and fresh flowers combined!
10. Stickers- Print your own or find fun packs. Use them as rewards at the end of class, as focus points for balancing, or use them on hands and feet for right and left.
Have fun!
Namaste,
Carolyn Clarke
www.sdyogakids.com
www.redyogamat.com
This is the first summer that I’ll be offering a summer yoga camp! I hope that your child can join us! My friend, Amanda Perez, a social worker specializing in children, and I will be co-leading the camp at Point Loma Assembly. We’ll have lots of time to do yoga and fun summer activities. Call me if you have questions about it at 858-752-2950.
Monday July 27th – Friday July 31st, 2009
1pm-4pm
Ages 5 and up
Point Loma Assembly Building, 3035 Talbot St, San Diego
Cost: $150 (includes all materials and a healthy snack!)
Bring a yoga mat or a towel.
Yoga, Breathing, and Relaxation! Games! Creative Movement! Theater Games! Journaling! Arts and Crafts! Cooking Healthy Snacks! Music!
I’m super excited to announce RedYogaMat.com, a new online children’s boutique ! It’s been a big project creating an e-commerce site, but we are up and running! Here are some of the great things you can find at RedYogaMat.com:
For the young yogi:
1. Natural Rubber Kid-Sized Yoga Mats!
2. Relaxation Eye Pillows!
3. Fun Music for Yoga Practice!
4. The Yoga Garden Game!
5. YogaKids Silly to Calm DVD!
For your child’s elementary or preschool teacher:
1. YogaKids Toolkit (Yoga flashcards for the classroom)
2. The Silly to Calm DVD for rainy days (ages 3-6)
3. Fun Music for the Classroom
I know that many people’s holiday shopping budget’s are tight, so each gift needs to be that much more meaningful and special. Kids are feeling the stress of the times right now, too, and yoga inspired toys combine play AND relaxation, two things great for kids! Why not give kids the gift of well-being through yoga!
So start shopping at www.redyogamat.com!
I haven’t been posting a whole lot lately… Wanted to share what’s been taking up my time and keeping me from writing on this blog…
Making Friends with A Tree
Imagine that you are walking through a magic forest.
Any tree you can imagine is here in this forest.
Apple trees, maple trees, palm trees…
Sycamore trees, banana trees, orange trees…
Even imaginary trees are here in this magic forest, like candy trees and trees that grant wishes.
Now pick any tree that you like, and imagine walking over to it.
Touch its bark. How does it feel?
Sniff its leaves. How do they smell?
If it has fruit, take a bite and see what it tastes like.
Now imagine yourself climbing its branches.
When you reach the top look out and see all of the trees in this forest.
Now climb back down and sleep in your tree’s shade.
Take some time to enjoy being with your new tree buddy.
Trees breathe out what we breathe in.
So, take a deep breath full of oxygen,
And then slowly let it out so the tree can breathe too.
So that’s it in a nutshell… It’s been an exciting time, and I’ve been writing lots and lots for my book and my new website, but I haven’t been writing here. Didn’t want you to feel neglected!!! I’ll keep you posted on everything… Tomorrow I have a photo shoot for the book and website, so I’ll try to post some pics soon!!!
Namaste,
Carolyn
In August and November of this year, San Diego had its first YogaKids Tools for Schools workshops! Education pioneers from across the county joined me at 3 hour workshops that showed how to use yoga in the classroom, and how to integrate yoga into their existing curriculum. It was inspiring to see how enthusiastic these teachers were to bring yoga back to their classroom, and everyone seemed to agree that stress relief is such a necessary part of school today…
The teachers went home with a Teacher’s Manual with lesson plans to use in their classrooms, along with pose cards that have a picture of the pose along with classroom integration ideas. Many teachers said that they planned on punching holes in the cards and putting them on an O ring so they could easily use them throughout the day.
Future workshops are planned for 2009, so keep an eye out for registration information on http://www.sdyogakids.com/tools.html
