Kids Yoga Business Tools Review and Giveaway

Ah… Summer… My class schedule slows down, and I finally have time to focus on my teaching and writing business. I schedule time to reflect on my business, create and write new products, and market my services. Two fabulous tools that I rely on for this are The Marketing Guidebook for Kids Yoga Teachers by Jodi Komitor and The Biz of Kids Yoga (“TBOKY”) Online Course. I re-read the book, and review my notes from the TBOKY course. Then, I evaluate what I am currently doing well, set goals for improving areas of my business that need work, and get started! This process has helped me to write a second book (Imaginations 2), post more frequently on this blog, and have a more consistent social media presence. 

I’m so excited to be offering you, my dear readers, the chance to win one of these tools in June! They have both helped me gain clarity and focus in my business, and I think you will find them as helpful as I have. I consider the TBOKY course and the guidebook like taking your kids yoga business to a yoga class. Your business comes out relaxed, refreshed, and focused!

Enter the giveaway here for a chance to win either a “seat” in The Biz of Kids Yoga 8-week Online Course or The Marketing Guidebook for Kids Yoga Teachers by June 30th at 11:59 PM PST!

~Reviews~

The Marketing Guidebook for Kids Yoga Teachers

Description:

The Marketing Guidebook for Kids Yoga Teachers is a 39-page PDF booklet filled with practical marketing tools specific for Kids Yoga Teachers.

Things I Love About It:
 

1. It is specifically for Kids Yoga Teachers! 
There is so much marketing advice out there, but you have to hunt and peck for information that applies to our industry. How wonderful to have a resource like this, just for us!

2. It is well organized.

There are clear sections relevant to any kids yoga instructor, regardless of how long you have been teaching. Traditional marketing (like flyers and business cards) as well as online and social media marketing are covered. She also explains that you are “marketing” just by connecting with your community and being your own fabulous you.

3. Each section has a Take Action box.
These boxes give specific ways to put the marketing ideas into work for your own teaching business. This is where the magic happens, when you take her ideas and use them to reflect on your own marketing.

4. It is written by a leader in the kids yoga industry.
Jodi has been teaching for years, and she has one of the most successful kids yoga businesses out there. How lucky that we can learn her secrets to success.

5. It compliments and reinforces the Biz of Kids Yoga (TBOKY) course that Jodi also provides.
I took TBOKY a year ago, and it is nice to have this guidebook as a refresher on the ideas shared in that course.

Price: $49.97

Purchase and more info here.
 

The Biz of Kids Yoga 8-week Online Course

Description:

The Biz of Kids Yoga™ (aka TBoKY) is an 8 week online course where you join together with other Kid Yogi-preneurs to learn specialized business education that will take your offerings to the next level.

Things I Love About It:

This class was previously reviewed here. 

In summary, I loved that it was based on the experience of a kids yoga teacher, well-organized, collaborative, convenient, and open-ended. It was like taking my business to a yoga class.

Price: $297

Purchase and Find More Info: www.TheBizofKidsYoga.com

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway here for a chance to win either a “seat” in The Biz of Kids Yoga 8-week Online Course or The Marketing Guidebook for Kids Yoga Teachers by June 30th at 11:59 PM PST! Winners will also receive a copy of Imaginations 2.

Better Sleep Month for Kids with Yoga

Happy Better Sleep Month! This month we are having a Sleepytime Yoga Giveaway that includes  several tools to help kids relax at bedtime or before relaxation in yoga. Prizes include Good Night, Animal World book by Giselle Shardlow, Imaginations 2: Relaxation Stories and Guided Imagery for Kids, and a bottle of Lavender essential oil. We are also reviewing the matching Good Night, Animal World Yoga Cards.

Fun fact: Good Night, Animal World was the inspiration behind the “Nighttime Animal Adventure” story in Imaginations 2!

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Review of Good Night, Animal World Yoga Cards

Description: Say good night to the animals of the world at bedtime with these yoga cards to match the book, Good Night, Animal World (previously reviewed here). Match and sort thirteen calming yoga poses for kids with their respective animals. Age group: Toddler, preschooler. Ages 2-5.

Price: $12.95

Where to Buy:
KidsYogaStories.com

5 Things I Love About Them:

1. The 3x5 Notecard size is small enough and light enough to keep in my yoga bag as an emergency “Oh No I Have Nothing Planned” Activity.

2. The Index Card has a list of the poses in order from standing to relaxation as well as a color coded key showing the animal/yoga pose pair.

3. Calming poses are sequenced well from active to relaxing yoga poses. They are all good poses to settle before bedtime or before relaxation time.

4. The cards can be used individually, in a series, or as an animal matching game.

5. They come in a sweet, mesh bag that keeps them together, but visible.

As a yoga teacher, I think you will LOVE these cards as an addition to your classes. As a parent, I think you will LOVE how fun these will make bedtime.

More Info about Kids Yoga Stories:

Website: www.kidsyogastories.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kidsyogastories

Twitter: www.twitter.com/kidsyogastories

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Enter the May giveaway to win Good Night, Animal World book, Imaginations 2, and Lavender oil here.

Two Kids Yoga-Friendly Books on My Gift Giving List This Year

Check out these two great children’s books that I plan to give as gifts this year. Enter the drawing to win a copy of both books, plus an Imaginations book here. THE ABC’s of Australian Animals by Giselle Shardlow

Giselle Shardlow’s The ABC’s of Australian Animals is my new favorite ABC book for kids! Each colorful page includes an Australian animal, many of which were new to me, and a corresponding yoga pose. This book is so fun to read to kids because they are learning and moving at the same time! Check out all of these fun animal poses:

Anemone Pose

Brolga Pose

Crocodile Pose

Dingo Pose

Echidna Pose

Frilled-Necked Lizard Pose

Goanna Pose

Humpback Whale Pose

Ibis Pose

Jellyfish Pose

Koala Pose

Leadbeater’s Possum Pose

Magpie Pose

Numbat Pose

Octopus Pose

Platypus Pose

Quoll Pose

Red Kangaroo Pose

Sea Star Pose

Tasmanian Devil Pose

Ulysses Butterfly Pose

Venomous Snake Pose

Wombat Pose

Extinct Tasmanian Tiger Pose

Yabby Pose

Zebra Bullhead Shark Pose

As a kids yoga instructor, I find Giselle’s Kids Yoga Stories invaluable. Her book is fun, the pictures are colorful, and each page has a corresponding yoga pose, making it really easy to use in a children's yoga class . If you are a parent, you will love keeping your kids active and healthy while reading them a story. The book includes a guide for parents and teachers that gives tips on using yoga with kids. Thank you, Giselle, for another great kids yoga resource!

Softcover, 42 pages, Retail: $15.95

See sample pages and purchase here:

http://www.kidsyogastories.com/product/abc-australian-animals/

Win a copy here!

The Museum by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter Reynolds

Susan Verde’s The Museum is one of my new all-time favorite children’s books. The illustrations by Peter Reynolds are colorful watercolors that include clever reproductions of famous artwork, like The Scream by Munch and The Starry Night by Van Gogh.

The story is about a girl that goes to an art museum and is inspired by each piece of art she sees. She interacts with each piece of art in a different way- dancing, twirling, and making silly faces. Then she comes to a blank canvas, and after closing her eyes, she fills the white space with all the colors and magic she sees in her imagination.

Susan is a children’s yoga instructor, and that comes through in her book. There are lots of opportunities to integrate creative movement and yoga, and the book also empowers kids to tap into their own creativity. Yoga can boost creativity, so this book is a perfect way to transition from an active yoga session to an art activity. Thank you, Susan, for a fun and colorful addition to my library!

Hardcover, 32 pages, Retail: $16.95

Purchase: http://www.amazon.com/The-Museum-Susan-Verde/dp/1419705946

Win a copy here!

Namaste,

Carolyn

Carolyn Clarke

www.imaginationsforkids.com

www.bambinoyoga.com

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Giveaway/Review of Namaste Playground's Bedtime Yoga Training

Giveaway:

Win a copy of Imaginations and Namaste Playground’s Peaceful Bedtime Online Training!

Enter Rafflecopter drawing here. Enter now until Midnight PST 9/6/2013. Winner will be notified by email.

Review:

I am loving Namaste Playground’s Peaceful Bedtime Online Training. I received a copy of the multimedia training to review, and I think it will be so helpful to parents that are having a problem with getting their kids down for bed (or really any parent for that matter…).

Here’s what it includes:

One Hour Audio Training - MP3-

An audio training that explains the benefits of a good night’s sleep along with leading sleep research. The training goes over tips to improve sleep including food to eat and turning off electronics. (It also recommends reading a story from my book, Imaginations! Thank you Namaste Playground!).

Jackie includes personal stories about her own daughters and her experience with putting her kids to bed at night. She also brings up some interesting points about the similarities between ADHD symptoms and extreme sleep deprivation. Good food for thought.

Playbook Manual – PDF

A thorough 11 page PDF that outlines the research and suggestions from the audio training. Also includes suggested music and the benefits of all the suggested yoga poses. I am looking forward to downloading all of the music she recommends for bedtime to create a good savasana playlist for relaxation time during my kids yoga classes.

Meditation to Use With Your Children - MP3

A sweet recording of a guided visualization to help lull your child to sleep. Jackie’s reads the story slowly, softly, and soothingly.

Video Clip of a 5 Minute Yoga Practice for Parent and Child

A fun video of her daughter doing the yoga routine next to her bed. I’ve adapted my nighttime yoga routine to include some of these poses too.

Heart Shape Eye Pillow Video instructions and Heart Shape Eye Pillow Pattern

A fun craft idea to make an eye pillow! I love the heart shape, and I am excited to try making one.

Although this training was all done through the computer, it has a really nice personal touch from Jackie, by her sharing stories and using videos. Overall, this is a well thought-out online training with tools that any parent will use for years. You can download it from Namaste Playground.

I received a free copy of this training. I had no obligation to give it a positive review.

Namaste,

Carolyn

Carolyn Clarke

www.imaginationsforkids.com

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Luke's Beach Day Review, Giveaway, and Beach Yoga Lesson Plan

Review of Luke's Beach Day

In case you missed it on Amazon.com, here's what I had to say about Luke's Beach Day by Giselle Shardlow:

"Luke's Beach Day, by Giselle Shardlow at KidsYogaStories.com, teaches children's yoga and environmentalism with a sweet story and easy-to-follow yoga pose pictures on each page.

The story follows Luke and his friends at the beach, discovering sea life, boats, and litter! Luke is bothered by the trash and makes sure to put it all in the garbage can, setting a good example and teaching readers to do the same. The book includes a list of all of the poses used in the book, including Kangaroo pose (fun!) and Sun Salutations. There is also a list of tips that are helpful for people who have never done yoga with kids (it is definitely different than doing yoga with adults!).

I love all the books from Kids Yoga Stories, especially this one that has the corresponding poses listed on each page. I love that as I read a story to my classes, the kids automatically go into the poses that they see in the top corner of the pages. It is much easier than trying to hold a book and to demonstrate a yoga pose at the same time.

Giselle Shardlow has created another invaluable resource for parents, teachers, and kids yoga instructors wishing to share yoga in a fun, healthy, and eco-friendly way."

I think it's a great book for kids yoga classes (enter the giveaway below!), so I've put together a lesson plan using it (this lesson plan was originally created for an OMazing Kids lesson plan constest last year). The lesson plan (below) includes a story from Imaginations: Fun Relaxation Stories and Meditations for Kids, too!

A Relaxing Day at the Beach Lesson Plan

Suggested materials – Imaginations: Fun Relaxation Stories and Meditations for Kids book by Carolyn Clarke Luke’s Beach Day by Giselle Shardlow Shell collection displayed inside of yoga mat circle Cardboard laminated suns Hobermann Sphere Ocean wave music Printed pictures of sand sculptures chosen from: Cat http://tinyurl.com/9tujuck Cow http://tinyurl.com/8qmh4sc Dog http://tinyurl.com/9crw6n8 Tree http://tinyurl.com/8ed6ua4

Sequence of Poses:

Breathing with the Hoberman Sphere

Rub Palms together and feel your own energy

Shell Meditation (Pass around shells and listen to the sound of the ocean)

Shoulder Rolls

Neck stretches (move head like yes and no)

Arms circles

Sand sculptures (Show pictures of sand sculptures and then mimic them with poses) Cat Pose Cow Pose Dog Pose Tree Pose

Dig a Hole (Standing Forward Bend to Extended Mountain with an imaginary shovel)

Jump the waves (Imagine you are jumping over waves staying on your yoga mat or have two kids hold the ends of a long piece of blue material for kids to jump over)

Sun Salutations

Beach ball game (Pass the ball around the circle with your arms, then lying down with your feet.)

Read Luke’s Beach Day and act out the story with the included yoga poses

Starfish Stretches (Arms, legs, and head are starfish arms. Sit down, open legs in a V. Stretch your arms overhead to one side, then the other side, stretch forward, and then stretch backwards until you are lying on your back.)

Kelp Forest (Lying back, arms and legs up in the air. Sway arms and legs slowly with the current. )

Cool-down Flow Knees to Chest, Legs Up, Dead Bug/Happy Baby, Savasana/Relaxation Pose

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (tighten and relax each body part) followed by this story from Imaginations: Fun Relaxation Stories and Meditations for Kids:

A Day at the Beach

Imagine you are walking on the beach.

Feel the sand between your toes.

Is it wet or dry?

When you find your perfect spot, spread out your towel and lie down in the sand.

Feel the warm sun on your skin and a cool, refreshing breeze.

Listen to the waves crashing on the shore…

Children playing…

Seagulls singing…

And people laughing.

Listen to the sound of the waves.

A wave comes into shore, and then the wave moves back into the ocean.

Now, put your hand on your belly.

Feel it rise up when you take in a breath, and feel it fall down when you let out a breath.

Up and down, in and out.

Just like the waves in the ocean…

Enjoy lying here feeling your body relaxed at the beach.

© 2012 Carolyn Clarke from Imaginations: Fun Relaxation Stories and Meditations for Kids

Activities: Choose any of the beach themed activities from the Pinterest board for A Day at the Beach http://pinterest.com/relaxationstory/a-day-at-the-beach/

Enter the Giveaway

So now you are probably REALLY excited to have a copy of Luke's Beach Day of your own!

Enter the giveaway by Friday, August 2nd, 2013 at midnight PST to win a copy of Luke’s Beach Day and Imaginations: Fun Relaxation Stories and Meditations for Kids.

Click Here to Enter

Rules of Participation:

• Must be 18 years or older with a valid e-mail address.

• Employees or family members of Bambino Yoga are not eligible.

• No purchase required.

• Comments submitted via Rafflecopter  may be copied & pasted into the blog posts on KidsYoga101.com, ImaginationsForKids.com, or Bambino Yoga.com.

• Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received.

• The winner will be chosen via a drawing of valid entries on Monday August 5, 2013.

• The winner will receive Imaginations: Fun Relaxation Stories and Meditations for Kids and Luke’s Beach Day. Luke’s Beach Day will be shipped separately by Kids Yoga Stories.

• The winners will be notified via e-mail, will be posted on the blog posts & will be posted on the ImaginationsForKids/Bambino Yoga Facebook page.

• Legal Info:This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook or Rafflecopter. You are providing your information to Bambino Yoga, not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for our internal purposes in relation to the administration of the giveaway. Your information will NOT be sold to any outside parties. Indemnification/Hold Harmless: By participating, entrants agree: (a) to the decisions of Bambino Yoga which shall be final in all respects; (b) to release, discharge, and hold harmless Bambino Yoga and its respective representatives and agents from all liability, injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in and/or entry into the Contest or any Contest-related activity and for acceptance, delivery, or use of any prize; (c) that the foregoing parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guaranty, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relating to any prize.

Namaste,

Carolyn

Carolyn Clarke

www.imaginationsforkids.com

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Happy Family Prize Pack- Kids Yoga Video, Imaginations Relaxation book, Sage Parenting book, and Infant Massage DVD

Now is your chance to win a fun Happy Family Prize Pack which includes a copy of my book, Imaginations: Fun Relaxation Stories and Meditations for Kids! Prizes include 2 books- Sage Parenting and Imaginations- along with 2 DVDS- Soothing Slumber Infant Massage and YogaKids Silly to Calm. Something for the whole family!

Here's the link to enter along with all the details:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a750c62/

The backstory:

I was excited to meet fellow San Diego author, Rachel Rainbolt, at a local author event earlier this year. We connected instantly when  we realized we were both helping parents and kids have a happier, healthier, relaxed life! We traded books and here's what I thought:

Sage Parenting: Where Nature Meets Nurture is a thorough and lovingly written guide to parenting. It covers everything from pregnancy to picking schools, and includes common parenting topics like baby gear recommendations, bedtime routines, and potty training. What makes this book unique is that Rachel Rainbolt encourages parents to tap into their own inner wisdom, and parent with love from the heart. She emphasizes that parents have the innate wisdom to know what their child needs. Rainbolt explains that kids need to feel like their "love cup" is full, and gives parents ways to connect with their kids in a naturally loving way to help them "fill it up". As a children's yoga instructor, I found her recommendations for communicating with kids and dealing with misbehavior helpful for my classroom management. I will be recommending this book to both new parents and those that are already parenting but need some new inspiration.

And here's what she thought of mine:

 The idea of a child with a calm inner core is appealing to every parent. However, disciplining your child’s chaotic behavior is not going to get you there. The path is through Imaginations: Fun Relaxation Stories and Meditations for Kids. We can teach our children to find that calm, safe harbor within them in a way that accepts and celebrates their imaginations. This book can help you tap into the best of childhood to sail into a peaceful and centered adulthood.

Rachel teaches parenting courses and baby massage courses in San Diego, and she is launching some e-courses as well in case you don't live in the area!

Are you an author or creator of something wonderful that has the theme of children's wellness? Let me know! I'd love to connect.

Namaste,

Carolyn

Carolyn Clarke

www.imaginationsforkids.com

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Kids Yoga Giveaway to Help End Childhood Obesity

Help End Childhood Obesity!

This is big! Send a fellow kids yoga teacher, Leah Kalish of Move With Me, to present to Michelle Obama at the Health Summit in DC in March 2013!

• Please vote now for Move with Me Yoga in the Innovation Challenge Contest here. Leah Kalish, founder of Move with Me Yoga, is a finalist in the Partnership for a Healthier America - End Childhood Obesity Innovation Challenge.She is 1 of 10 finalists and must be in the top 3 to present her ideas (CHILDREN NEED YOGA!) to Michelle Obama and other health/education leaders at the Health Summit in DC in March 2013.

• Then enter the Raffle here for a chance to win one of the 75+ Prizes (see the full prize list here too). To encourage voting, over 75 kids yoga prizes have been donated by Children's Yoga Leaders from around the world. Please take a few seconds to vote and then reward yourself by entering the raffle. We have donated several copies of Imaginations: Fun Relaxation Stories and Meditations for Kids.

This is an exciting opportunity for children's yoga to be presented as a major health initiative! Think of all the good that could happen if yoga for children was being supported at a national level!

Carolyn Clarke

www.imaginationsforkids.com

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