Lexi Mae has been attending NGY Family Yoga classes since she was born, along with her Mama Mary & big sister Lily Grace, age 3. It always amazes me how even at the youngest of ages, children still pick up the gifts of yoga. Here is the cutest lil video of Lexi chanting Ohms, NGY style!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTXaMzOvshI

I led a NGY Teacher Training for 8-13 yr. olds in San Diego, CA this past weekend. Twelve women came to learn the truth about engaging kids with yoga. I think this trainee said it best: Sitting at the Kid’s Table.

It certainly takes skill to keep the interest of the older kids during yoga classes. It’s so different from teaching 2 yr. olds where we sing and use props, story telling and music. The older kids want to be treated like adults, in a fun-loving, kid-friendly way. Here are some pics that show the magic that was co-created.

As we support Boobs on the Move… a GRASSROOTS effort to raise MONEY and awareness for BREAST CANCER research and have a little fun while we’re at it!:

Click to View flyer

YES! It is here, my 1st TV gig!!! And, even better yet - you can view it online!

In February of this year I went to Philadelphia to film 16 segments of kids yoga classes for Comcast Cable. Each asset is a thematic class and features me along with 2-3 preschool age kids doing yoga. We even include a “Do-Together” pose for parents and children to…do together!

For those of you who know my teachings & NGY Creative Kids Yoga(TM), you may be wondering where all the sing-songs are? Good question!! I chose to save those goodies for a Next Generation Yoga video or tv show to come one day soon

To see watch these Yoga classes, click here.

Wow, I realize its been a LONG time since I have blogged on kids yoga. So here is a recent update on what Next Generation Yoga (and I) have been up to.

First, I must announce I am pregnant! Amazing things are happening this year…This month, I am turning 35, we are getting married in May and having a baby in September. I am so excited for all that is happening in my life and grateful for the love that surrounds me. That includes the NGY Family!

Last weekend I led a NGY Teacher Training for 2-7 yr. olds for 13 women in San Diego. The room was filled with positive energy, thirst for new information and great discussions on the subject. We had 3 demo classes for the trainees to witness and the kids were spot on!!

Many of the graduates are joining me for Student Teaching which gives them the opportunity to put what they learned in to practice. I just love working with new kids yoga teachers and supporting them to develop their skills. I am available for you whether you live nearby or far away!

Today I was invited to share yoga with a Daisy Troop who were earning their Red Peal Badge: Strength & Courage. The mom who organized the yoga class desired to teach the girls how strength & courage exists in Yoga. How true it is.

I infused the affirmations “I am strong” and “I am courageous” throughout the class. we did lots of strengthening poses and I weaved in spiritual teachings like a quiet mind is a courageous soul.

It was 2 years ago that I was driving across country heading west on my move to California, we stopped in New Orleans and I practiced at Wild Lotus Yoga. It was no coincidence that I also reunited with Leslee, a graduate of the NGY Teacher Training, who was teaching kids yoga classes at this studio. Fast forward….this weekend, I led the NGY TT for 2-7 yr. olds at this studio and there were 22 amazing participants!!

What I loved most about this group and being in New Orleans is how we celebrated! Now Im not talking about Burbon Street, rather on the yoga mats! We were so full of gratitude, joy and positive energy. I am sure it has to do with the aftermath of Katrina, that so many were so grateful to be in a community of like minded souls. I know I was.

I also wanted to share the joy we all experienced in being in the training with a husband, wife & son. It was a first for me to train a family and what a gift it was. They are a family of givers (a MD, Social Worker & Teacher) and they all desire to bring yoga to the kids that they work with. My heart was so full because of their commitment to each other and those they work with in Atlanta Georgia. And they had an incredible sense of humor!!

Kids are never too young to teach, they are so smart and really do get whatever it is that we intend on teaching them. Todays’ yoga class for 5-7 yr. olds was about Intentions, a perfect theme for the New Year.

I wrote the word “Intention” on the dry erase board, and one of the lil Indigo kids read it. I asked what it meant and another Indigo said it means “to want something.” Another kid laughed and said “like wanting a new present.” I steered them in the direction of setting intentions for things that they wanted for themselves in 2009, ie. freedom, self-love, peace in the home, joy, flexibility, etc. The teachings were interspersed in the warm-up of the class and then in to heart opening yoga poses. We took a long pause in Child’s Pose, and I gave them a loving stretch on their sacrum, spine and massage on their neck…which they LOVE. This was also a quiet opportunity for them to go inward and visualize what it is they want, and then set their own intentions.

We continued the class, flowing in Sun Salutations, Warrior Poses, Balancing postures and stating each of our intentions along with affirmations. My heart was melting as each child shared their wishes for themselves: inner peace, to be a good person, to help the ill, more Ohm, to be strong, flexible, loving.

We completed the class making a group vision board. 12 kids sharing just one piece of oak tag, they grasped that they could collaborate their drawings and intentions and also co-create each others intentions. So they would fulfill their intention and each others.

Great learning happened when 3 of the kids drew lines (like boarders) around their intention drawing. I shared that it was like putting up a fence around their intention, that they weren’t going to share it with another nor were they open to receive anothers’ intention. They quickly turned their boarders into loving designs, hearts and decorations. Truly a beautiful learning experience for all!

NAMASTE

I honor the place in you
in which the entire Universe dwells.

I honor the place in you
which is of Love, Truth, Light & Peace.
When you are in that place in you,
and I am in that place in me, we are One.

Happy Holidays from Jodi & the NGY Family!