Yoga is so much more than asana!

A perfect example of why teaching yoga to children is so rewarding...

Last Saturday in my class, the children picked 'positive affirmation cards'.  The activity was to read the affirmation card, think of how it related to their own life, and then draw a picture of that real experience.  One student picked 'I am free to be me.'  She was at first unsure how to interpret that, and how to find a real life experience.  I gave her some encouragement and suggested she think of a time when she chose to do something that others told her not to, for example, wear certain clothes, or listen to certain music, or even be friends with a certain person.  She soon got to work, and once everyone had completed their pictures she shared hers.  She said that at school there was a girl who was picked on, had no friends, and no one liked her.  She felt bad for her, and asked her to play one day.  A friend said to her (my student), 'Don't ask her to play!  She's weird!'  She did not listen to this friend, and followed through with her offer for the little girl play with her.  The two have become friends, and my student said, 'Yeah, and now she has like 5 friends!'  She was free to be herself, and that freedom allowed others to find their freedom, and also opened doors to many friendships.  She knew what the right thing to do was for herself and for this other young girl who had been picked on, and she shines because of it!  

WMUR's NH Chronicle featured ChildLight Yoga and Yoga 4 Classrooms on 3/15. In case you missed it, click here to watch!

Parent's Magazine, March/April 2012

'Yoga in the Classroom - the elements of stress relief are catching on even for the youngest kids...'  Chicago Tribune, Feb 2012

'Healthy Mind & Body - A Breath of Hot Air'  Kiwi Magazine, Oct/Nov 2011

Children’s books and yoga: A peaceful combination!

clifonline.wordpress.com

Bella, age 5.  'My daughter has truly loved participating in yoga with Monique.  Just last night on the way to bed she said, "Namaste, Mama.  That means I see the good in you."  I highly recommend Monique's class to anyone with young children!'

Welcome to my Children's Yoga Blog!

I feel honored to be teaching yoga to children!  My students look forward to coming to yoga class, and they are eager to learn and participate once there.  I hope to plant in them the seeds of yoga that will grow and grow throughout their lifetimes!

Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu

With my older students, we chant 'Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu' at the conclusion of each class.  This chant means 'May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and through my actions, words and thoughts, may I contribute to that happiness and freedom.'

Sun Salute Chant

'The sun, the sun.  I salute the sun.  I open my heart to everyone!  The sun rises, the sun sets, the whole world in my heart rests.  Again I rise, ready to live, happy to be, and ready to give!  The sun, the sun.  I salute the sun.  I open my heart to everyone!'  (author: Sydney Solis)  This is a chant that I teach my older students as we learn Sun Salutations.