We are so grateful to have Sarah in our lives!  She's our first RCYT graduate and so incredibly proud of all the work she does through Bloom Yoga.  Follow her on Instagram @rmclc_bloom_yoga or @sarahliz697 and BE INSPIRED!!!!  You can also learn more about the Rocky Mountain Law Center @COChildlaw.

** She's always looking for volunteers to support a wide array of programming, so reach out!

Tell us a little about yourself:
 
I grew up in Evergreen CO. and moved back there to raise my own children!  My husband’s name is Noah and we have two sweet little girls named Haddie and Maryn.  We have a dog named Basil and cat named Panda.
 
I played soccer my entire life from childhood through college.  After college I coached children’s soccer and that started my love for teaching and coaching children.  I graduated from University of Northern Colorado with my B. S. in Human Services and from Regis University with my MEd. in Education.  I started my career in Child Welfare, working for kids who have experienced abuse and neglect, in 2005.  Through this work, I found yoga as my escape, self-care and life practice.  I found so much of what I practiced on the mat, translates to off the mat too!
 
I currently work for Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center.  In 2016, I had the opportunity to talk with the director of our agency Mrs. Becky Miller-Updike, about what I thought could be beneficial for the children we serve in Child Welfare, that’s innovative, and serves the whole child.  I told her about all the research and benefits of yoga for trauma and how we could teach yoga to children, youth and families within the systems of child welfare, education and juvenile justice.  Through this conversation we started Bloom Yoga, a trauma informed yoga program for children, youth and families.  Bloom shares yoga with youth who ordinarily don’t get the opportunity to practice it. Many times these populations of children only receive the bare minimum of services, interventions and extracurricular activities.  Our goal is to make yoga accessible to all kids.  We also want to provide children and youth skills they can use later in life, or to manage trauma or other adverse experiences.  Bloom likes to use yoga to build resilience and to supply kids with healthy coping skills they can use throughout their lives.
 
Bloom follows trauma informed techniques to teaching yoga and has taken trainings from David Emerson, Molly Birkolm and James Fox.  I am finishing up my registered children’s yoga teacher certification (RCYT) this summer.
 
I also teach yoga for Pranatonic Yoga and Wellness, the Prison Yoga Project, and Creative Minds Preschool.
 

Tell us about what initially interested you about taking a kids yoga teacher training?  What was your intention with this training?
 
My goal for this training was to get more skills to provide more meaningful yoga to the children we serve. I wanted to gain more experience adapting yoga to children, so that it’s fun and beneficial for them.

How have you found the experience of learning how to teach kids yoga?
 
I had a blast in this training program.  There is nothing like rapping, singing, rhyming, all while doing yoga, in a training class.  I laughed a lot, and it made learning fun.  I found that it just takes a lot of practice, and its nice to learn from teachers who have a ton of experience with lots of different populations.

What have been your biggest take aways?
 
It’s amazing the amount of knowledge and skill it takes to really create a meaningful class, specific to the population you are serving.  I loved hearing about developmental theories, specifically Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and how it related to the content and format of your yoga class.  This was helpful to Bloom yoga, because we work with underserved populations, whose basic needs are sometimes unmet.  How do we create safety and predictability in yoga to meet that need, so we can continue to grow and learn.  Another takeaway was how we can use yoga games and activities to teach coping skills, character development and promote social emotional learning as well.  

Where have you grown as a caretaker and a person because of the training and teaching?

I feel like I have definitely grown in my yoga teaching skills.  This gave me more confidence to try new things.  Sometimes you start teaching what you know and feels safe, so going out and trying new skills has been hugely beneficial for Bloom Yoga.  Also, this training program did such a great job of talking about individual children, different circumstances, and behaviors.

It's such an honor to introduce you to Rebecca, Becca for short.  She's such an insightful and loving kids yoga teacher.... you can tell immediately how much this practice means to her and her joy and passion in sharing with others.  You can follow Becca and all the "love" she finds on her amazing Instagram account - https://www.instagram.com/t.b.e.x/.  Here she is!!!


"I was born into a family that interacts with the world very differently from the way I do. Feeling like the one black sheep growing up, left me struggling to find my place in my family-let alone in the world. I learned early that I could survive in the world as a quiet, people-pleasing, perfectionist. However, years of living that life left me anxious, voiceless, and still unsure of my worth or place in the world.
 
Yoga has been a defining part of my journey to finding myself, my voice, and my worth. It has pushed me outside of my comfort zone, forced me to show up for myself, and allowed my own unique gifts to shine through. The blending of both strength and flexibility in yoga has helped me find my way through the contradictions in life - to meld my life as a highly sensitive yogi yet spend my days working as a research scientist in a laboratory.
 
I have an undergraduate degree in neuroscience and a master’s in nutrition and exercise science. In my PhD program, my research is focused on the role of exercise and how males and females respond differently to exercise training. I am really passionate about breaking down complicated scientific research so that anyone can understand. I bring my understanding of human physiology to my yoga classes and even to my children’s classes.
 
I have spent much of my life working with children from teaching swimming lessons, to providing behavioral therapy to children with autism, coaching water polo, or running a summer junior lifeguard program. Teaching yoga to children just flowed so naturally for me after I received my 200-hr teacher training certification.
 
Each week my little yogis and I focus on how we can show up in the world. We move our bodies, learn to breathe, imagine magical worlds and still our minds. My hope for my littles is that at the end of our time together they are a little bit closer to knowing that who they are is exactly what this world needs them to be.
 
I often wonder where I would be today if as a child I had yoga and a safe space to be creative, have fun, and be me. I am so happy to be able to provide that space for children and give them tools to help them succeed as they make their way through this messy world."

Excited to introduce you to Claire!  She's the main kids yoga teacher you'll see at Yoga Pod Lowry as well their childcare support.  Go on in and see her and give your kids a chance to experience yoga and Claire's beautiful big smile and huge heart!  Follow her and her kids and adult yoga efforts at https://www.facebook.com/eclipseyogamindfulness/. 

Tell us a little about yourself (hometown, basic background, experience with kids, do you have a family, current work environment).
 
I grew up in the mountains of Colorado, completed a Bachelor’s in Science at Colorado State University and returned to Denver as the Youth & Family Programs Director at the Schlessman Family YMCA.  In April of this year, I resigned from that position to pursue a career teaching yoga.  I currently teach toddler, family, postnatal, caregiver and me and special needs yoga across the Denver Metro Area.   In September of this year, my husband, Rodolfo, will be returning home from his enlistment with the US Marine Corps.  In addition to our families in Denver, we have two fur-babies: a dog, Athena, and a cat, Mister.

Tell us about what initially interested you about taking a kids yoga teacher training?  What was your intention with this training?
 
Like all great things, this training entered my life unexpectedly and exactly when it needed to.   A couple years ago, I began to incorporate yoga asana into youth curriculum at the YMCA, this facilitated an opportunity for partnership with Suzanne of Young Yokes and the YMCA.  This partnership facilitated my transition in to my yoga career – taking on teaching youth and special populations yoga full time.  With my personal journey into this training, it is my intention to meld my enthusiasm for youth development with my understanding of yoga asana and pranayama to equip youth of all abilities with fun and engaging techniques for movement and enjoying life.  

How have you found the experience of learning how to teach kids yoga?
 
Learning to teach youth yoga has been incredibly fun!   This journey speaks to my purpose in life in a fulfilling and enjoyable way – the profound impact on the individuals I serve and the community I connect with has been humbling and inspiring.  It is my honor and pleasure to learn, grow and contribute to this work.

What have been your biggest take-aways?
 
My greatest take away from teaching youth yoga has been to see how relatable and accessible yoga has become to those who need it the most.  Watching youth retain and use the techniques taught in these classes off the mat has been inspiring and motivating.  Also, the bonds formed from caregiver and me yoga scenarios (family, postnatal, special needs, etc) is sweet to witness and facilitate.

Where are you currently teaching kids yoga and how has taking a training supported you in your class offerings?
 
I am currently teaching at YogaPod Lowry, on behalf of Young Yokes, teaching Toddler Yoga, School Age Yoga and Family Yoga.   I also teach at the Littleton Family YMCA, offering Special Needs Yoga in both a Caregiver & Me setting as well as a group class for impacted individuals.  This training has provided me with a quality offering for different locations as well as connected me to fantastic opportunities.  I look forward to expanding these programs and reaching new communities that welcome Youth Yoga.
 
What do you want to teach most to young people and how do you get your intention across in a classroom setting?  What take aways do you want young people to leave your class with?  What brings you back each week to teach kids yoga?
 
My primary goals in teaching youth yoga is to provide individuals with body awareness/motor skills as well as coping mechanisms to use both on and off the mat.   Intrinsically, my classes value community and connection, cultivated through a welcoming, engaging and inclusive environment.  
The joy in success each student shares keeps me coming back, excited to teach, learn and engage with my favorite populations.  It never feels like a ‘job’; this is the good work – I am honored to do it.  

Is there anything else that you’d like to share with others thinking about enrolling their kids in a yoga class OR taking a kids yoga teacher training to teach themselves?
 
Everything is intentional and everything is related – what I love most about learning to teach youth yoga is seeing how it is all connected to everything else I had experienced in a caregiving role.  Proprioception development, fine motor definition, calming techniques, problem solving, socialization skills, role play, creative understanding… the list goes on.  It is all crucial to youth development, and is all present and incorporated in youth yoga classes. 
 

Chelsea has been fearless stepping in and teaching kids classes and we couldn't wait to share more about her.  Her and her littles are a great part of the Young Yokes team and we can't wait until you meet them on their mats soon!

Chelsea, tell us a little about yourself:
I was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM and moved to CO for college. After 4 years at CSU and a brief time in San Diego, I moved to Denver in 2005 and have been here ever since. I met my husband at the school we worked in together while I was teaching Special Education. After 5 years teaching, I moved into the nonprofit area and now work for The Challenge Foundation, providing scholarships for low income, high achieving students to attend private schools. I act as a case manager to help them be successful in middle school and high school and into college. I love the relationship I can have with the students outside the classroom and that I can help the families too. I also work with a company called Beautycounter (cleaner, safer skin care) because I believe that what we put on and in our bodies really matters for our overall health!

So my husband and I have been married for almost 10 years and we have 2 beautiful daughters, ages 6 and 20 months. They keep us on our toes but also teach us something every day! My oldest really loves yoga and I look forward to practicing more with her. She responds well to breathing techniques and the stretching so I would like to find more time to make this a daily practice.

Tell us about what initially interested you about taking a kids yoga teacher training?  What was your intention with this training?
I initially started thinking about kids yoga because my daughter took a yoga class last summer and really enjoyed it. I have also been thinking a lot about how yoga has helped me and how I would love for my daughters to have these skills and language now so they can take it into their future. After having my first daughter, I spent several years being very sick. It was so important that I cleaned up my food and my environment. Once I felt like I had that under control for the most part, I realized how important emotional health is in the healing process. I was searching for something to help me learn strategies to help with my emotional health and wished so much that I had learned these things when I was a child. When someone told me about Young Yokes and the idea that I could teach kids yoga, I felt like it was the direction I should go! I can learn more about yoga, help my daughters, and help other kids as well! I also knew that spending more time with my daughters is an important part of my future plans. Bringing them to a kids yoga class is perfect! I look forward to learning more, teaching more, and meeting more awesome yoga kids!  I

How have you found the experience of learning how to teach kids yoga?
Initially, I was nervous that I didn't know enough about yoga to be a kids yoga teacher but as I continue to observe and teach, I have realized that I will always be learning and the students have so much to teach me each class! All I can do is the best I can each class and be sure to be open to learning new things! It is also helping me let go of control in other areas of my life because the reality is that each class will never go exactly as planned when there are active little ones involved! This is not something I can control :)

What have been your biggest take-aways?
Even if the students are not doing the moves, they are still listening and learning.

Where have you grown as a caretaker and a person because of the training and teaching?
I feel like I will continue to learn about patience in my own life and with my own children after each class and that even little self care steps make a big difference!

Where are you currently teaching kids yoga and how has taking a training supported you in your class offerings?
I have taught at the YMCA, which is such a great program. I feel completely supported and understood by the ladies at Young Yokes and know that as I continue, I will always have their support, ideas, and understanding. The training and manual has given me a better understand of what a class should look like and ideas to pull from when what I have planned only takes 15 minutes!  I'm also open to teaching private, small groups and looking forward to expanding my offerings.

What do you want to teach most to young people and how do you get your intention across in a classroom setting?
I want the students to know that they have the ability to change their thinking and make a situation better by taking a few minutes of mindful breathing, stretching, or just resting. I also want them to know that yoga is accessible anywhere and at any time. The reflecting time at the end of class helps to solidify these concepts and hopefully helps them take something with them when they leave class.

What take-aways do you want young people to leave your class with?  What brings you back each week to teach kids yoga?
I enjoy that the students can learn from each other and the positivity that everyone brings to class. It is hard to be upset when you are pretending to be a boat or talking on your foot phone! It helps me to focus on what is important and I love the fact that I am helping these students understand that as well, even if it is taught to them in a round about way.

Thank you so much Chelsea for your service!  We appreciate you!

Take the leap and join our next teacher training just a few weeks away!  Click here to learn more!

Totally out of order... is it going to kill you like it is me????  Type A... working on it.

So I’ve debated about yoga mats as a tool… because kids yoga happens in so many settings that I don’t want you to think that you NEED a yoga mat… and then I gave pause.  Yoga mats are amazing… they bring a specialness to event.  I repeat, an event… and yet, as you know yoga happens all day… every day.  So yes, mats are amazing and they can support you and you can use them as tools to create an amazing classroom experience
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There’s a ton of yoga mats out there… for a ton of price points.  There are ones that are a smaller size for the little people in your life with kids friendly designs and even patterns to help teach pose form easier.  Hey, kids yoga mat people - please reply with your products (I will include them on our website as well) so our students have a good list of options out there.  We would love to the benefits behind your yoga mat as well, please.  In the meantime, search the hashtag #kidsyogamats to see some great options!
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One item I’d consider is frequency, duration and cleaning of your yoga mats.  If you’re providing mats for kids, then the must be cleaned… and if they are being cleaned on a daily bases, they will breakdown faster than a mat that isn’t experiencing regular cleaning/use.  So, if that’s the case, I’d look into spending a bit more money and buying a yoga mat that’s going to be a bit more durable.  Or, you can go the other way, buy something that’s easily replaced… and yet, you’re adding to landfills… but they can be recycled for fun crafts and accessories.  You can see why I go around in circles on this one.  
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There’s a ton of mat cleaners online and we’ve pinned a few on our Pinterest page for you to take a look at (follow social media links on bottom of page).
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So, yoga mats as tools.  Obviously, your mat is considered home base and that is by far THE most important item that a yoga mat provides.  It’s a classroom management tool and can support you in getting kids to move, energy up and then back down again with some kind of order.  
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In addition to a home base, yoga mats can be transformed into a bunch of fun transportation items… magic carpets, clouds, 18-wheelers, wagons, sleds, and so much more.  
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For a mindfulness activity, walk the edges of your yoga mat, heel-toe, to outline your space and content to the earth.
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For a group that has major wiggles, try making burritos or tamales by rolling them up in their yoga mats.  Arms in for the older ones… arms out for your littlest… once constricted, can they breathe, close their eyes and take a moment of rest.  The first time you lead this exercise, there might be some resistance… as many don’t like the feeling of being restrained.  Remind them that they are safe.  Walk them through a guided mediation.  Try it again in subsequent classes and you’ll see that their comfort level increases.   
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As always, we’d love to hear how you incorporate yoga mats and other tools into your kids yoga classes… so please do!  
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Full list of yoga resources and links to where you can find them are on our website! Follow the link in the bio.  Reach out anytime!

Here are some great yoga mats that we have tried:

• Yoga Direct
  

We wanted to introduce you to some of our kids yoga teachers & trainers to give you some sense of who they are, what kind of background they have and what drew them to kids yoga.  So here you go… our first!

Let me introduce you to Paula Donald!

Tell us a little about yourself (hometown, basic background, experience with kids, do you have a family, current work environment):

I grew up in Pullman, Washington (Go Cougs!) as a kid very active in athletics. I went to Washington State University on a scholarship for Women's Crew (Rowing) and loved the experience of Division I athletics!  I have a Bachelor's Degree in Human Nutrition and a Master's Degree in Human Nutrition & Exercise Science.  I've taught and coached college kids for a total of 10 years. I have also always loved babies and kids under 5!!  My husband Doug and I have a 2-year-old son, Gavin.  I currently work part time as a Nanny and Personal Assistant for another family.

Tell us about what initially interested you about taking a kids yoga teacher training?  What was your intention with this training?

Teaching kids yoga sounded like something I could possibly do with my son. Both my son & I enjoy physical activity.  I have very little experience with yoga but I figured I should at least check it out. My intention with the training was simply to explore what kids yoga is about and if it was something I would enjoy.

How have you found the experience of learning how to teach kids yoga?
 
It's been pretty easy to learn how to teach yoga to little kids. It's a lot of playing & singing . . . kinda like PE class and kinda like Storytime. Young Yokes has great teachers and good curriculum that makes it easy and fun.

What have been your biggest yoga take-aways?

Little kids really like yoga!!! They learn fast and have a fun time seeing all the shapes their bodies can make!

Is there anything else that you’d like to share with others thinking about enrolling their kids in a yoga class OR taking a kids yoga teacher training to teach themselves?

If you are thinking about putting your child in a yoga class, don't hesitate! Your child will gain so much from yoga, and have fun at the same time!  If you are considering taking a training class to teach kids yoga take the plunge!! You will gain good knowledge and skills you can use in any setting.

Thanks Paula!  We will be excited to follow-up with her as she progresses in her life as a mom and kids yoga teacher!

 I have been listening to No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind… it’s on audio book via Audible, one of the many Amazon companies that make up my daily routine.  I wouldn’t say that I enjoy listening to these types of books.  I don’t look forward to pressing play, and yet… golden nuggets stream through my headphones that I can’t wait to share with anyone who will listen.  They also help me to be a better parent (for about three days).

There’s this one part in Dan Siegel’s book where he talks about listening for the shark music… and this TOTALLY got me!  I am a product of a continually-rewatching Jaws family.  I have watched this movie so many times that I had lines memorized way before any Disney movie.  And yes, the iconic 1975 was an amazing year, and Jaws was, and will continue to be, a favorite of mine for the years to come.  If you don't know what I'm referring to, please stop and go watch Jaws.  Right now.  Seriously.

So here it is… the most amazing combination since almond butter and jelly… Jaws & parenting.   Duh Nuh… Duh Nuh…. Duh-nuh, duh-nuh, duh-nuh-duh-nuh!  Shark music!

Do you hear shark music… When you find your 16-month-old spewing the contents of your purse all over the waiting-room floor while eating her 2nd chapstick of the day?

Do you hear the music, when your toddler has decided to chew and then spit his food under his chair for the dog… who just happens to be the pickiest  eater in the whole wide world (seriously wth, we need a lab)?

Do you hear the music, when after the 10th time you have asked your son to PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ANYTHING HOLY to stop pouring water of his sister’s head?

Do you hear the music, when….
…. You open the car door every day for the past year and shit falls out? Shoes, cups, snack traps, toys?  I don’t swear, but this time I really need to.  Thank you for your understanding.
…. You can’t be on time to save your life because no one knows how to put on and keep on shoes?
…. Because the only words you’ve muttered with any passion have been “SIT DOWN” and no one’s listening to those anyway.

I only have toddlers (super little yogis)… so my apologies for only the 1 & 3 year-old examples.  As the youngest of three (two older brothers), I know for certain that the music plays loud and clear for those who have grade schoolers and beyond.

So back to Dan and the amazing Jaws music…. This is perfect, right?  In yoga we work quite a bit on inner calm equaling outer calm, and if we can be mindful and aware of our inner landscape, especially during times of challenge, then we can control our outer responses with the world.  So parenting for me, well, it’s been tough.  The inner calm is often shattered by the emotional roller coaster that is caring for two incredible human beings.  In a five minute span of time, I can have one moment of everyone crying “Mammmmma!” and clutching at my legs to the opposite of having a coaster thrown at my head.   And it’s just like yoga.  Work to create space between the stimulus and your reaction, if you can.  But when you’re walking over to teach, guide, redirect – whatever… ask yourself, do you hear the music?  Are the sharks circling?  Is this an effective type of environment, inner or outer, where you can be the caretaker/teacher you want to emulate?  The shark music has helped me this past week, and I hope that it will help you too.  It’s a fun way to label your current state and increase your awareness while providing you some levity... and maybe a fun game to play with your kids.

SHARK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Think I found my Halloween costume!

And if you haven’t already… and if you have the time… No Drama Discipline is worth your time.  I know… loaded statement right?  Happy parenting yogis!