Yoga for Kids in San Diego

Pintervention

sdyogakids — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:20:13 +0000

I’ve recently discovered Pinterest. I’ve been spending more time on it than I’d like to admit, but it’s been giving me lots of creative inspiration for new things in the new year. Especially new fun things to teach in my kids yoga classes. I’ve been joking with my husband that I need a “Pintervention”. He made me this:

I like that he “put a bird on it”, as a nod to Portlandia’s funny skit. Now I’m off to pin it…

Carolyn

sdyogakids.com

Kids Yoga Gift Ideas at RedYogaMat.com

sdyogakids — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:43:15 +0000

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:

Kids yoga mats
Yoga music for kids
Kids yoga DVD
A great yoga board game
And a few gifts for your child’s elementary or preschool teacher too…

Have fun shopping at http://www.redyogamat.com/shop/

Creative Movement in Yoga Class

sdyogakids — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:40:29 +0000

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):

Dance ribbons- cut long pieces of ribbon or tulle, and tie them onto the end of a stick, unsharpened pencil, or even chopsticks. Turn on music and twirl. You can lead the kids in poses too- arm circles, painting rainbows, etc.
Egg Shakers- one of my favorite props ever… Use Laurie Berkner’s I Know A Chicken song.
Hokey Pokey- a classic, but uses balancing skills that help with yoga poses
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes- Touching toes is a forward bend.
Yoga Flows- Let the kids make up their own flows using yoga poses or their own movements

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!

Ways to Get Children’s Attention in a Yoga Class (other than yelling)

sdyogakids — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:28:03 +0000

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:

Musical instrument- A Tibetan bell, drum, gong, finger cymbals, or any other musical instrument. Ring it, beat it, and play it to get their attention. Saves your vocal chords and works like a charm…
Whispering- Instead of yelling, try whispering. Sometimes talking very softly will have a quieting effect on the chitter-chatter, especially if you make it sound like you are trying to tell them a VERY important secret!
Singing- I love to sing, and often I break out into spontaneous song instead of yelling. I sing things like: “Everyone back to your mat”; “I’m waiting for you to be quiet”… Operatic style. It always seems to get their attention.
Striking a New Pose- They might not be paying attention because they are bored… Sometimes I go into a new, challenging yoga pose to get their attention… Try Crow, King Dancer, or a spontaneous Handstand against the wall. It tends to peak interest…
New Music- Try changing the energy level of the music. Put on some upbeat groovy music for yoga flows, Sun Salutations, or free dancing.

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!

Super cute Thanksgiving trail mix!

sdyogakids — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:19:20 +0000

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!

Great article on CNN about yoga for kids!

sdyogakids — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:58:48 +0000

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!

10 Inexpensive Yoga Props for Kids Yoga Teachers to Use in Class

sdyogakids — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:27:54 +0000

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

YogaKids Summer Camp

sdyogakids — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:48:47 +0000

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!

Join in on the fun by registering at sdyogakids.com.

YogaKids of San Diego is proud to unveil RedYogaMat.com!

sdyogakids — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:01:38 +0000

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!

Where have ya been?

sdyogakids — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:59:59 +0000

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…

YogaKids Tools for Schools Program Launch- I’ve been launching a program called YogaKids Tools for Schools in San Diego County. I’ve been reaching out to teachers and inviting them to workshops where they learn how to use yoga in their classroom. It’s had a wonderful response so far!
Children’s yoga boutique- I’m launching a children’s yoga boutique soon. It’s going to have hand selected yoga-themed items for kids, and you are just going to love it! It’s been a busy time, learning about e-commerce, sales tax, and UPS shipping rates (all things that don’t usually go hand in hand with teaching yoga to kids!!!)
My book- Oh, yeah, I’ve also been writing a book!!! It is a book of relaxation stories that I use in my yoga classes during savasana. It’s been a project that I’ve been working on for years, and it is finally coming into its last stages…. So here’s an excerpt:

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

http://www.sdyogakids.com