Kids Yoga Denver & Online Yoga

What to avoid when teaching kids yoga/mindfulness

I’ve been teaching kids yoga and mindfulness for over 15 years. There have been classes that made my heart sing and fill my students with so much joy! On the other hand, there have been times when classes were just terrible.

Here is a five-ingredient recipe to create a “not so smooth” kids yoga and mindfulness class.

  • Forcing kids to participate who do not want to (because playing video games and having it turned off, then being forced into a class will never work).

  • Having someone in the corner of the room watching. Yoga & mindfulness is vulnerable, nobody wants to feel watched. Especially in positions that are more vulnerable or when trying something new.

  • Being in a space where people are passing through consistently. A lot of yoga and mindfulness is about focusing. Focusing on your breath, finding one point of focus, or an internal gaze. Kids are going to have a hard time focusing with large distractions happening around them.

  • Being annoyed, short, or outwardly frustrated if the class isn’t going quite as planned. Students will never change their behavior if they feel like you don’t understand where they are coming from.

  • Not using the first few classes to really get to know your students. Icebreakers are a great way to build a bond! The more we connect and build relationships the better we can understand each other’s needs.

Sometimes this recipe is beyond our control and we just need to roll with what we are walking into. However, if you have time to set the tone or stage ahead of time, it can help foster safety, connection, and trust.

Connection & Mental Health

Connection can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem/empathy, and improve our immune systems.

It’s beautiful to think that yoga and mindfulness have the same impact on our health. These ancient practices help us connect– To each other and our emotions.

During this pandemic, it is harder to connect than ever before. Social media is a great way to connect, but sometimes we can get inundated with information we are not looking for, leading to more anxiety/depression.

The practice of kids yoga and mindfulness are rooted in connection. Here are some simple ideas on how to bring more connection to your daily lives that are inspired by kids yoga & mindfulness.

Self-regulation: When we center ourselves and become present in the moment, we can truly connect to another. When we are feeling out of whack, it’s harder to tap into our authentic selves and connect to another. Similar to a kids yoga & mindfulness class, if the teacher isn’t regulated, it is really hard to expect your students to be in a calm space. Taking 3-5 slow deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth can help calm the nervous system.

Icebreakers: When on a zoom call, it’s easy to dive right into the agenda. What about kicking off meetings with an icebreaker? “What is a food you are enjoying these days?” similar to the start of a kids yoga and mindfulness class, this helps people feel safe, connect and share. It also brings in levity and fun- something we all could use these days.

Body Proximity: When students are having a hard time focusing or need a little more attention, we get up, walk over begin teaching next to them. This helps them know we are there and present with their emotions. When on zoom calls, it helps people feel connected when you are closer to your computer. When they can see your facial expressions and eye contact.

These small shifts can make an impact to you/your communities mental health. During a time when we need connection more than ever before, a small act can go a long way.

Join RB & SoundOff This Weekend 🔆

SoundOff Colorado Outdoor Yoga Event

We are so excited about collaborating with SoundOff Colorado Mixing their wireless headphone technology with an RB class, this is going to be a one of a kind outdoor youth yoga experience!
This special edition class will sell out fast, be sure to reserve your ticket today!! We look forward to moving with you! 

Classes are on 9/19 &  9/26 @ Congress Park, Denver  

Photo courtesy of Sound Off Colorado 
More Info & Registration
 

What We Have Been Up To

  • Lots of learning, unlearning, and listening in regards to anti-racism: We have joined a community of creative entrepreneurs to ensure we are building an anti-racist business throughout all aspects of our work.
  • We lead a beautiful group through our 20-hour virtual kids’ yoga and mindfulness training
  • We signed with a children’s book agent: More soon on Micah and the Worry Stone.

What’s Next?

  • A Rebrand and new website: We will be sharing a new look with you all in the coming months. Similar offerings, just a clearer vision and updated look and feel
  • Winter Teacher Training: Dates will be released soon
  • Roots Up, RB’s sister brand will be launching an easy way to access 5-minute anxiety relief videos

Social Media 

We’d love to connect with you!
Instagram: @RadiantBeginnings & @RootsUp_Education
Facebook: Radiant Beginnings Yoga & Roots Up 

Anxiety Relief 

If you are looking for 5-minute meditations to do with the littles in your life, we have 12 (free) on the Insight Timer App that are designed to calm the nervous system.

 

If there is anything we can do to help support you during this time, please don’t be shy! We always love to hear from you. Hitting reply will send the email to Julie.
Sending love from our hearts to yours,
           Julie and the RB team

Listening and Taking Action

Dear Community,
We are listening, learning, unlearning, and taking action.

As teachers of youth yoga and mindfulness, our highest priority is and has always been to offer a physically and emotionally safe space for students that is inclusive for all. We continue to grow and learn.

Yoga and mindfulness are not a quick fix to long-standing racism. What we do know from data and first-hand experience is the tools yoga and mindfulness provide help nourish the mindsets and skills to create a more equitable community.

Education is one of the ways we can break down systemic oppression and shift perspective as we cultivate empathy for others.

Resources
How to Help Anxious Children: The Child Mind Institute
Sesame Street and CNN  Short videos to address racism for all ages
Children’s Books that Tackle Race and Ethnicity: New York Times
Conscious Kid on Instagram

Roots Up (RB’s sister brand)
5-minute video/audio designed to calm the nervous system
Insight Timer Meditation App 

_________________________________________

Offerings + What’s on the horizon 

Teacher Training

20-hour kids yoga and mindfulness training (Virtual)

Begins Sunday, June 28th from 4:00-6:00MST

20% of sales will go toward Black Visions Collective. We are also looking for youth organizations in Denver and Portland, ME. If you know of any we would be grateful to learn.

The reason trainings are so rich is because of YOU. Your passion, questions, and shares. Although the training is online our highest priority is still building a community and providing a fun and nurturing experience for all.

Schedule:

6 weeks on Sundays from 4:00pm-6:00pm MST via Zoom
June 28th,
July 5th, 12, 19, 26
August 2

More info

We are your Ally!
Love to you all,
The RB and Roots Up Family

Exciting News during COVID Times

Hello,

We’ve been letting the dust settle as we navigate this new norm, and questioning… What is next for Radiant Beginnings? How can we serve?

After having chats with colleagues, friends, and co-teachers it was evident what lit us all up!

We are excited to announce our children’s yoga and mindfulness training will now be offered virtually.

All of the content and quality will remain the same as in-person trainings.

What’s new:

  • More certifiable hours: 20-hour training with 12 “contact hours” via Zoom
  • New schedule: 6 weeks on Sundays from 4:00-6:00pm MST
  • The support and diversity of 3 trainers (Jenny, Samantha, and myself) who have spent the past 15 years teaching and dedicating our lives to helping youth develop healthy coping strategies through yoga and mindfulness

Schedule:

6 weeks on Sundays from 4:00pm-6:00pm MST via Zoom
June 28th,
July 5th, 12, 19, 26
August 2

We’d love to have you join us on this adventure to equip youth with healthy coping strategies for life!

Let’s give the next generation tools to increase attention, compassion, emotional-regulation, and resilience.

If you have any questions please let us know as we are always happy to help!

With love and gratitude,
Jenny, Sam, and Julie
              More information

If you are looking for resources that focus on strategies to self-soothe through yoga and mindfulness we have created a library for you.

Roots Up is Radiant Beginnings’ sister brand that focuses on a data-driven emotional wellness video curriculum

Free Resources     
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