Yoga Transformations Training

Last week, I had an incredible, fun-filled training for kids yoga at San Damiano in the mountains of  Danville, CA. The sky was blue everyday, the leaves where changing into beautiful fall colors, and the gardens were still in full bloom. Surrounded by a beautiful climate and interesting women sharing unique ways to help yoga touch kids lives, I have brought back so many resources and ideas to share with my students.

All in all, the best part of the week was collaborating with the other Yoga Kids Apprentices (YKA)- Adriana, Claudia, Dora, Holly, Joanne Katy, Marsha, to co-teach classes in two different schools. Each of us came from various parts of the country - Adriana and Claudia were from Mexico, Dora from Las Vegas, Holly from California, Joanne from Canada, Katy from Texas, and Marsha from just across the river in Nyack, NY.  The classes were organized by the beautiful, open-hearted, local Certified Kids Yoga Teacher (CKYT) Judy Brennan. One was a teen class was at Judy's daughter's  school, and two more classes of first and fifth graders at Turner Elementary School in Antioch, California.

Eight of us YKA's stood between our 10 students in the after-school teen class, which was a wee bit daunting for the students at first. After each of the YKA's shared a reason to be grateful, we took time to share fun, meaningful postures to help remind the students to be grateful for their friends, families and communities.  We danced with Dora, moved and grooved with Katy, found the courage in our hearts in our column of courage pose with Holly, were led us through sun salutations to thank the sun for its light, warmth, and nourishment with Adriana, played games with Joanne and opened our hearts and minds in partner poses with Claudia and myself.

At the end of class, we went around the circle and asked each one of them what was their favorite part of the class. The clear winner was - savasana, the final resting part of the class. This was a time that each student had personal time to reflect, while Marsha's soothing voice read a meditation that focused on gratitude.

The classes at Turner Elementary were held as a class period, and offered us a socially diverse and larger audience, and unique setting.  The 30 kids in the first grade class were led by 4 YKA's- Dora, Holly, Adriana and Marsha. They led  the kids through breathing postures, making pizzas to stretch their legs, sun salutations and balancing poses.  Having the fortunate opportunity to have two native Spanish speakers, Adriana integrated Spanish vocabulary to name the postures, and discussed how each posture could benefit their bodies and minds.  Dividing the kids into groups, they played games that encouraged cooperation, communication and fun - pass the hoop and roller coaster!

The fifth grade class was held outside on the asphalt playground in the warm sun by Claudia, Joanne, Katy and me. As we gathered the 3o kids into our circle, we introduced our names and where we were from and were welcomed by applause and whoops of encouragement. As we began class, all of a sudden, we noticed how the playground became more populated...it was RECESS! Doing our best to remain unfazed, we continued with the class, and were amazed at how the kids stayed connected. We had a brief introduction to a soccer ball that rolled into our circle, but a fine young man by the name of King James threw it to his friend and jumped immediately back by my side to continue.

We alternated teaching - Katy discussed the importance of the breath and how it is connected to movement. The kids integrated this into their bodies by moving through an energetic body drumming vignette. Joanne led sun salutations and fun games where they taught anatomy, and Claudia empowered each student through power postures connected with affirmations in Spanish and English.  I watched each student find their own self-regulation, strength and confidence with a flow of  balance postures, discussing how each posture connects us to the earth and our environment.

After we completed teaching, we we relieved, happy and complimented by the teachers who observed of how these somewhat challenging classes remained focused, connected and in tune throughout the entire class. The kids who participated also where beaming with delight and left us with a heartfelt thank you as they went back to their next class.

Thank you again all of my dear, sweet yogis - Adriana, Claudia, Dora, Holly, Joanne, Katy, Marsha for sharing your knowledge, love, friendship and love of yoga for kids!

Namaste!

Elisha Fernandes Simpson RYT, aka laughing hearts yoga  teaches prenatal, mommy and me, kids (ages 7 -18) yoga and organizes free weekly yoga classes for women with breast cancer. Watch for her write up in Natural Awakenings (Westchester edition) in December. Become a friend on Facebook's laughing hearts yoga page.

New classes begin the first week of January! Contact her at info@laughingheartsyoga.com or 914 319 4010 for suggestions about her blog