Programs

I make sure their age specific developmental needs are met and I also adapt the class according to their abilities and mood. Below are some elements I explore in my classes, and how they fulfill the kids physical, cognitive, emotional, & social needs:

Mindfulness Exercises

Meditation techniques that will expand their attention span and explore internal and external awareness, also helping them cope with different emotions.

These are examples of exercises to teach concentration and patience:

1. bell (ring a bell or a gong and be still and quiet while focusing on the sound until it fades away completely)
2. eyes closed (listening to sounds inside our body, noticing heart beating or 
   feeling our breath in our body )

Breathing Exercises

Techniques adapted for kids to learn more about breathing and how important it is to our health and self-regulation. Breathing exercises also help general physical and emotional health, increase attention span and focus. Examples:

1. deep belly breath (lying down, notice belly raising when breathing in, and falling when breathing out – this releases anxiety, improves health and teaches body awareness)
2. take 5 breaths (deep breathing in using fingers to count until 5 and slow breathing out counting to 5 – this calm kids down and help them focus on the moment = concentration)
3. lion breath (deep belly breath in, and breathing out with a roar, stretching tongue out – helps release tension, frustration)
4. bunny breath (quick breath in through nose to fill the lungs, and release through our mouth – this increases the blood flow and brings more focus)

Warm ups

Warm ups are usually playful yoga poses to help stretch and warm up the body. Examples:

1. cat and cow (warm up back and increase flexibility)
2. caterpillar toes, fingers, arms etc (helps fine motor skills, and coordination)
3. sun salutation

Balance Poses

Balance poses challenge them to persevere and also know their limitations in that moment. I always remind them that yoga is not a competition, stimulating friendliness and positivity, and that practice will help them achieve what they want. Examples:

1. balance opposite leg and arm (on hands and knees – contralateral movements activate both sides of the neo-cortex, stimulating brain development)
2. balance in 1 leg (airplane or Flamingo poses – bring awareness of body and differences between sides of our body)

Strength Poses

All yoga poses make us stronger, and some are more challenging then others. Examples:

1. down dog (hands and toes, hips up – stretches back and strengthen legs and arms)
2. slide (sitting, legs long in front, hips up – strengthen arms and back, open chest)
3. cobra (back bend, increases flexibility and strong back)
4. roadrunner (lunge with quick switch of legs)

Relaxation Exercises

Guided meditation, such as scanning parts of the body, or deep belly breathing can help them slow down or release tension. Usually kids lay down on their mats and relax for a few moments while checking in how they feel. Sometimes I use sound effects such as gentle rain or calming music. This is their moment to absorb all the new things they learned in the class. They are usually happy to have a quiet moment before they line up for the next activity.

Use of Imagination

Describing their poses and placing the animal/object they represent into a scene or story helps them embody the new concept better and bring more fun to the exercise. It also helps with language development and social skills.

Games

A more interactive class will improve their communication and social skills. I create games that:

1. encourage them to describe their movements and how they feel
2. encourage the use of imagination (stories and characters)
3. learn to follow or give instructions
4. encourage them to express their ideas through movement and stillness
5. help them practice counting and spelling

Use of Props

I bring props to class to help them visualize a new concept. For instance: balloon for breathing visualization, string to talk about our posture and my mascot Sapo, a stuffed frog that loves when kids show him their new yoga poses.

I also love showing them illustrations of animals and nature scenes, bringing dice, magic wands, yoga cards, photographs or balls for yoga games.

I have a masters degree in music and love to sing or make fun sound effects that will accompany yoga movements. I also use great quality kids music and recorded sounds to enhance sequences of poses and playful movements. 
They love it and know by heart some of the sequences I created with yoga poses. 
Music is also very efficient at helping them relax or use their imagination.

Use of Books

Stories can be told through yoga poses and movement. This gives them the opportunity to create their own yoga repertoire outside the classroom. I have a repertoire of books that were not made for yoga, but I make their characters come to life in form of yoga poses and creative movement.

Improvisation

I plan my classes but I also go with the flow and respect their curiosity and time to explore something that is valuable to them at that particular moment.

These are 45 to 60 minute classes, without adults.
I focus on tools that will help them feel more confident and mindful. With inclusive language, I will welcome all exactly as they are!
We will explore how different breathing exercizes can energize or calm us down, explore mindfulness through meditation and movement, bringing more awareness to the triad mind-body-emotion, and how they might influence eachother. With this age group we can also lightly explore yoga philosophical principles based on Yamas and Niyamas, challenge eachother with partner yoga, and always end with deep relaxation.

These are 45 to 60 minute classes, without adults. (Stay and watch, if you prefer!)
We will practice deep breathing, learn warm ups and sequences adapted for this age group. With this age group we can also explore yoga principles based on Yamas and Niyamas, besides the popular creative games, partner yoga, and relaxation in the end. For 9, 10 and 11 year olds.

These are 45 to 60 minute classes, without adults.
We will practice deep breathing, learn warm ups and sequences adapted for kids. Creative games, favorite kids songs, partner yoga, and relaxation in the end. For 6, 7 and 8 year olds. Stay and watch, if you prefer!

This is a class with a participant adult (18+).
In this playful but complete yoga class I use games, mindfulness exercises and props to explore our own bodies and minds. These 45-minute classes are created for the kids but adults participating will enjoy it too! A great way to connect, relax and have fun doing yoga. Starting with kids-appropriate breathing exercises, fun warm ups, then creative games, favorite kids songs, partner yoga, and finishing with relaxation. 

Cross-Curricular Collaborations

I have music and visual arts backgrounds and I enjoy bringing elements of other areas to my classes. I am also happy to share my yoga experience with other teachers when desired. For instance, when the kids are studying a specific theme, I can incorporate some of the elements in my yoga class. I am happy to challenge my creativity to make the yoga class not just meaningful to the kids, but linked to the projects that are going on in the school.

Yoga & Mindfulness as part of school curriculum

In 2018-2019 I taught yoga at Fair View Elementary School (K & 1st graders) as part of their curriculum.
Contact me if you are interested in bringing this to your school!

Yoga & Mindfulness as Afterschool Program

In 2019-2020 I developped a Yoga club as afterschool activity at University Elementary School for 1st to 6th graders.
Contact me if you are interested in bringing this to your school!