Sara J. Weis's Blog: Go Go Yoga Kids: Empower Kids for Life Through Yoga, page 12

Go Go Yoga for Kids: Top Kids Yoga YouTube Channel

We are thrilled to be in the Top 15 Best Kids Yoga YouTube Channels! Find your kids yoga props, lesson plans, kids yoga classes, poses, teacher training, partner poses, mindfulness and much more!

Check us out on YouTube here.

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The Best of Kids Yoga

Happy New Year! It has been a wonderful year for Go Go Yoga for Kids. We have loved bringing the joy and fun of yoga to thousands of others through our Kids Yoga Lesson Plan Books, Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards, App, and most importantly our online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training. We have now certified over 3500 people from all over the world and are sharing the love and joy of kids yoga with others.

I have always loved reflecting on the year and thinking about how we can help even more others in the next year. I am also such a fan of “Year-End Reviews” and “Best of” Lists. So without much further ado…

Here are your Top Kids Yoga Favorite Posts from this year:

5. Kids Need Yoga! Don’t Miss These 7 Super Benefits of Yoga for Children

4. Simple Ways to Get Children to Listen (that you haven’t tried)

3. Mini Yoga Brain Breaks for Kids

“The Light in Me Sees the Light in You. Namaste” at a recent kids yoga class

2. How to Create an Epic Kids Yoga Obstacle Cours e

1.The Top 5 Secrets to Teaching Yoga to Kids

Children Love Practicing Their Poses with Yoga Games



You May Also Enjoy:

The Most Common Mistake Every Kids Yoga Teacher Makes

5 Fun Yoga Games to Play with Your Child

How to Keep Your Yoga Students Engaged Throughout Class

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Kids Yoga Winter Holiday Lesson Plan

Get ready for the winter holiday with these fun holiday yoga poses for kids. Become a snowball, hop in Santa’s sleigh, make Gingerbread cookies, decorate a tree with ornaments and much more.

Kids love this kids yoga lesson plan. It is filled with yoga poses, games and balance practice. As you watch the video, notice the gift box that I use. There is something about  using a simple prop that truly gets the kids’ attention every time.

Are you ready to learn how to teach yoga and mindfulness to children?

You are in the right place. Kids yoga lesson planning is my jam. After nearly 20 years of classroom teaching experience and preparing over a thousand kids yoga classes, I know a thing or two about creating engaging and effective lesson plans. Having a plan in place will help your class run seamlessly with a flow and a purpose.

I used to spend hours planning just one kids yoga class before I felt ready to teach it. For those of you who love going to adult yoga classes, you may be wondering, how hard can it be to plan a kids class? It seems like it should be easy enough. Teach the kids some poses, flow them together, and then everyone ends up on their backs in a peaceful bliss known as Savasana. That’s all you need to know, right?

Wrong. Well, not entirely wrong. Kids yoga and adult yoga are similar in that they both include breathing, practicing poses, and end with relaxation, but that is where the similarities stop.

Kids yoga is busy. We are moving, breathing, and interacting with one another pretty much the entire time. That’s why it would take me hours to plan a single kids yoga class. First, I needed an age-appropriate theme, creative breathing exercises (to make breathwork NOT boring), movement, games, challenges, and relevant mindfulness exercises. That was just the beginning!

Don’t forget that you also have to keep everyone engaged, on task, and having fun while practicing yoga and mindfulness. This was never an easy task.

I have cracked the code on the exact proven method of how to effectively teach yoga to children. With this step-by-step guide in place, your kids yoga classes will be fun, engaging, memorable, and effective.

You May Also Like:

Free Kids Winter Yoga Lesson Plan

The Most Important Part of Your Kids Yoga Class

How to Teach Yoga to Children

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Black Friday Fun with Go Go Yoga for Kids

Fa la la la la! The holidays are coming! The holidays are coming! It’s time for Black Friday!

I hope that you are starting to feel some of the anticipation and excitement of the approaching holidays as well. I am so excited for our Black Friday Blitz!  An extra bonus is that you do not have to leave your home or stand in a line to get in on this deal!

You do need to act fast! The first 100 lucky soon-to-be kids yoga teachers will receive $50 off our online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training PLUS our new Kids Yoga Lesson Plan Bundle!

That means you get your Kids Yoga & Mindfulness training and certification, lesson plans, and personalized support for only $147! This is an amazing deal and our comprehensive and complete kids yoga training will never ever be lower than this.

Use code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout.

If you have ever even thought for a moment about teaching yoga to children… then this is your voice saying “yes…this is the time!”

Yes, it is true! Now I know you are thinking…what an incredible deal and I really do want to begin making a difference with kids, but this is a busy time for me right now.

I totally get that! The best news is that you can begin this training anytime you want right from the comfort of your couch or bed (my preference!). I guarantee that within a week of just starting our Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training, you will be making a positive difference in the lives of the children you love and care about!

This training is right for you if you are a:

New Kids Yoga Teacher looking to get started on this amazing journey and need guidance and expertise on how kids yoga really works
Established Kids Yoga Teacher looking to deepen your expertise on what truly works for teaching yoga to children
School Teacher, Counselor, Teacher Assistant looking for ways to easily include yoga and mindfulness in your classroom that takes only moments to implement and truly makes a difference in your classroom climate
Preschool, Day Care Instructor, or Early Childhood Educator looking to add yoga and mindfulness to your transition and circle time.
Counselor, Case Worker, or Health Care Professional wanting tools to help children self-regulate and provide social-emotional learning
Parent, Grandparent, or Family Member looking for fun, educational yoga ideas for social and emotional learning for the kids you love and care about
Self Starter who works with children and wants to give them the skills they will have for life through yoga and mindfulness.

If this is you and I know it is… do not wait! Get started here.

When the spots are full, they are full. Remember code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout.

After thousands of kids yoga classes, I have completely cracked the code on exactly what works for teaching yoga and mindfulness to children. I am so excited to share with these secrets with you that have worked for me time and time again.

Don’t just take my word from it! Listen to just a few our recent Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training Graduates:

“I am so thankful I found Go Go Yoga for Kids while searching for ideas to help deal with my difficult group of 4th grade students. I was so excited to take the Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training. I learned how kids yoga looks different than adult yoga and how to best teach to that. I also learned that props are great when working with kids. I have shared this new passion for yoga with my students and colleagues.” Nicole C.

“This teacher training was exactly what I needed! I wanted to increase my knowledge and confidence to best assist children in our ever-changing and increasingly difficult world. The training was very beneficial and kept my attention throughout. It is easy to follow and put into action! Lynnea J.

“I now have more confidence and tools to teach kids with actual lesson plans and ideas. I have been away from the classroom for a number of years, so this was a great refresher on classroom management and planning. I now have the training in teaching and yoga and this training helped me to have the confidence to just get out there and DO IT! ” Alicia B.

I have compiled everything I wish I would have known when I got started teaching kids yoga into our online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training. Our Teacher Training has already trained over 4,000 others from around the world and is incorporated into over 100 gyms and health clubs across the U.S.

Not only will you learn the exact teaching secrets, but you will have complete step by step instruction showing exactly what you need to know about teaching yoga to children.

The goal of the Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training is to take you on a journey where you’ll discover:

The secrets to teaching yoga to children
The exact components every kids yoga class needs
Proven class management strategies so your class flows easily and effortlessly
Exact breathing exercises for actually calming and relaxing children
The best yoga poses for growing kids
Yoga games galore that they will want to play again and again
Truly creating mindfulness in children
How to teach yoga to children professionally

All this and more. You also get me! I love answering questions and sharing ideas in our private Facebook Teacher Training group.

Remember to use code BLACKFRIDAY to enroll for only $147.

See you inside the training!

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Let’s Give Thanks: Free Kids Yoga Lesson Plan

It is the month of gratitude and thankfulness. Help kids learn and practice gratitude AND yoga with our “Let’s Give Thanks” FREE Kids Yoga Lesson Plan! Yoga poses, breathing exercises, yoga games, and our fun Planksgiving Challenge are all included!

Celebrate with children with all year long.

Let’s Give Thanks: Free Kids Yoga Lesson Plan

Do not miss our Biggest Sale of the Year with our Black Friday Fun!
You May Also Enjoy:

Mindfulness and Mantras Kids Yoga Lesson Plan

Getting Ready for Turkey Kids Yoga Video

Go Go Yoga for Kids Book

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Kids Yoga Lesson Planing 101: Active Movement (Part 4)

Hello and welcome to our Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training. Get your free workbook and get all caught up below

We are covering the most important parts of your Kids Yoga Class in our Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101. Each part is important in its own way and not to be missed.

Video 1: How to Plan Your Kids Yoga Class

Video 2: The Welcome

Video 3: Breathing Exercises

Video 4: Sun Salutations

Part 4 of your Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: Active Movement

There is a reason that Active Movement is near the beginning of a kids yoga class. The children are so excited to be there from The Welcome then after their Breathing Exercises and Sun Salutations, they are good and ready to move their bodies around the room and use their large muscle groups.

Why Active Movement is Important

Active Movement provides the chance to put all of their well-intentioned energy to good use and let the kids have some fun while moving their bodies and making them strong.

The main benefits of Active Movement are to get students’ hearts pumping, build strength, and get their wiggles out (especially in the younger ages)! They will then be good and ready for the Themed Yoga Poses that will follow.

Yoga is more than breath, it is also about strengthening your whole body as well as your mind!

Active Movement
Examples:



Freeze DanceFollow the LeaderAnimal WalksJumping JacksHigh KneesSkippingGalloping



Do Not Overthink

Just move your body in good and healthy ways! That’s it! Turn on some music and for sure join in the fun! The kids love it! After a few moments, turn the music off, settle the children back into a circle. Have the children place a hand on their heart and feel it pumping energetically.

Make Your Heart Happy

I like to explain to the children how they made their hearts so happy. I tell them that sometimes their hearts get very bored when they are sitting for such a long time in front of the TV or video games. I ask them to put their hand on their heart and feel how happy they made their hearts now! Look around the room after you do this.  Light bulbs are going off! The children have definitely made a connection with how to make their hearts happy!

You May Also Enjoy:

3 Active Yoga Poses You Can Do With Your Kids

How to Keep Your Students Engaged Throughout Class

Kids Yoga Obstacle Course

The post Kids Yoga Lesson Planing 101: Active Movement (Part 4) appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.

Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101: Sun Salutations for Kids

Hello and welcome! I am so happy you are joining us for The Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training for sun salutations for kids. Find your printable workbook here.

1. We covered the importance of why you NEED to have a lesson plan when you teach yoga to children. Watch the training video here.

2. We talked about the MOST Important Part of Your Kids Yoga Class here.

3. Then we made Breathing Exercises NOT boring for kids here.

Now, grab your Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Guide and jump right in!

Part 3: Sun Salutations for Kids & Connect With Breath

After you and your students have focused on their Breathing Exercises, you can begin Part 3 of your Kids Yoga class with Sun Salutations.

The Sun Salutation portion of a yoga class and is wonderful for warming up the whole body. It is also exciting because your kids yoga students are now ready to connect their breath with this movement.

Keep it Familiar

I like to keep
the Sun Salutations relatively similar for each class. Familiarity builds
confidence. Similar to adults, kids like to feel as if they are in control and
can really pay attention to their breath and movement during the Sun
Salutations if they are comfortable and familiar with the flow.

Sunrise to Sunset

I like to use the analogy of sunrise to sunset with I introduce Sun Salutations to kids. They breathe in and raise their hands above their heads for the sunrise and the dive forward on the exhale over their toes for the Sunset.

At the end of our Sun Salutations, we talk about how we feel stronger, lighter and more focused. This simple exercise is a wonderful way to get their bodies warm and ready for the next Active Movement portion of the class.

Sun Salutations with Kids During our Barnes and Noble Prince & Princess Event




Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Video Series



Video 1: Get Ready for your Kids Yoga ClassVideo 2: The WelcomeVideo 3: Breathing Exercises



You May Also Enjoy:

The Most Important Part of a Kids Yoga Class

Partner Yoga Poses for Kids

Celebrate the Earth (Our World) with These Kids Yoga Poses & Games

The post Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101: Sun Salutations for Kids appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.

Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101: Sun Salutations

Hello and welcome! I am so happy you are joining us for The Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training. Find your printable workbook here.

1. We covered the importance of why you NEED to have a lesson plan when you teach yoga to children. Watch the training video here.

2. We talked about the MOST Important Part of Your Kids Yoga Class here.

3. Then we made Breathing Exercises NOT boring for kids here.

Now, grab your Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Guide and jump right in!

Part 3: Sun Salutations for Kids & Connect With Breath

After you and your students have focused on their Breathing Exercises, you can begin Part 3 of your Kids Yoga class with Sun Salutations.

The Sun Salutation portion of a yoga class and is wonderful for warming up the whole body. It is also exciting because your kids yoga students are now ready to connect their breath with this movement.

Keep it Familiar

I like to keep
the Sun Salutations relatively similar for each class. Familiarity builds
confidence. Similar to adults, kids like to feel as if they are in control and
can really pay attention to their breath and movement during the Sun
Salutations if they are comfortable and familiar with the flow.

Sunrise to Sunset

I like to use the analogy of sunrise to sunset with I introduce Sun Salutations to kids. They breathe in and raise their hands above their heads for the sunrise and the dive forward on the exhale over their toes for the Sunset.

At the end of our Sun Salutations, we talk about how we feel stronger, lighter and more focused. This simple exercise is a wonderful way to get their bodies warm and ready for the next Active Movement portion of the class.

Sun Salutations with Kids During our Barnes and Noble Prince & Princess Event




Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Video Series



Video 1: Get Ready for your Kids Yoga ClassVideo 2: The WelcomeVideo 3: Breathing Exercises



You May Also Enjoy:

The Most Important Part of a Kids Yoga Class

Partner Yoga Poses for Kids

Celebrate the Earth (Our World) with These Kids Yoga Poses & Games

The post Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101: Sun Salutations appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.

Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101: Breathing Exercises

Part 2: Breathing Exercises for Kids

Hello and welcome! Thank you for joining us for our Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Free Training.

Find your workbook and get all caught up with the Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training here.

After the first part of your Kids Yoga Class which is The Welcome, the next portion involves helping your students slow down and become aware of their breath and how their bodies feel. This is not as easy as it sounds!

Breathing Exercises

When I first started practicing yoga, I used to believe yoga was only about the movement and holding poses. I quickly learned that your breath is actually more important than the poses. If you can hold the pose, but aren’t taking the long deep breaths, then you are actually not doing yoga. It is the breathing that makes it yoga. On the other hand, you could lie in Child’s Pose and breathing for an entire yoga class and that would be yoga.

Breathing with purpose during yoga lets you hold the pose longer and feel stronger while holding it. In addition to this, breathing deeply and consciously helps to strengthen the nervous system, calm anxiety as well as settle into the class and be in the moment.

Kids, however, do not care about any of the above! Therefore it can be difficult to teach children to become aware of their breath. Kids are busy and wiggly, so it is important that you bring these breathing exercises to their level and interest.

Make breathwork fun and engaging with kids by using a variety of props.

Do not worry, we have you covered! There are several ways to practice mindful breathing in a yoga class, but the main goal is to make the children aware while slowing down their bodies and their breath. This is done through child-friendly breathing exercises.

Favorite Breathing Exercises for Kids

Breathing Exercises That Really Work With Kids

Top 3 Breathing Exercises for Anxious Kids

How to Use a Breathing Ball or Hoberman Sphere for Kids

Spending just a few moments ( it doesn’t need to take long!) slowing down, being mindful, and teaching children to pay attention to their breath will become easier and easier with practice.

Our bestselling Kids Yoga books include dozens of ideas to make breathwork NOT boring for Kids!

Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children



Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga With Kids



You May Also Enjoy:

How to Teach Yoga to Kids

How to Teach Mindfulness to Children with This Quick Tip

Kids Yoga Teacher Favorite Props and Resources

The post Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101: Breathing Exercises appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.

Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101: The Welcome

Congratulations on taking the time to truly gain an understanding of why each part of a kids yoga class is important. By following our Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Free Training, everything will easily fall into place for you and your students. A well thought out and organized lesson plan will also create more lasting memories and help with explaining yoga to a child.

Have you grabbed your FREE Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Printable Guide and Lesson Plan Template?

You can get all caught up with our first Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training Video Here .

The Welcome is the very first part of your kids yoga class and it is the first real class interaction you will have together. The Welcome helps set the tone for how your class will go and helps explain to your students what they will be doing and learning as well as what you expect of them.

When you establish and make a connection
with your students right from the start, it makes such a difference throughout
your class as you introduce and teach breathing exercises, yoga
poses, games, challenges, relaxation, and more.

I think about this in my school classroom as well. Children need to know that they are safe and cared for. When you have a connection and a trust established, then you can truly teach the content, relax, and have fun teaching.

In the beginning of my kids yoga class, I
like to gather the students in a circle and welcome them warmly while having
them introduce themselves. This will help you get an overall sense of their
mood and abilities from the start. It is also the ideal time to reinforce their
names with their faces which comes in handy with the management of the class.

I like to have my students share their name
and answer a question.

For example:

Sharing something that they are good atWhat do you already know about yoga?Share why yoga is good for youDemonstrate any yoga poses that they already knowAsk a theme related question (in relation to the yoga theme of class) such as “Which superhero would you be and why?”

I also like to briefly go over my 3 No-Fail Rules at this time.  You only need these three rules to keep your class running seamlessly which is a big deal for the success and involvement of your classes. These 3 No-Fail Rules and many classroom teaching videos are all included in our online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training course. Enroll now and work through at your own pace and time with our support throughout.

Remember, you only get one chance to make that first impression. The Welcome does not need to be long, but it is the best opportunity to let kids know how excited you are that they are there and to introduce them to the theme and format for the class.

You May Also Enjoy:

The Most Important Part of Your Yoga Class

Kids Yoga Teacher Favorite Props and Resources

Learn How to Teach Yoga to Children

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