Review & Giveaway of Lucinda’s Magical Yoga Adventure

Product:

Lucinda's Magical Yoga Adventure by Betty Larrea

Description:

A children’s book about a yogini named Lucinda. Lucinda goes on an adventure and does yoga poses along the way. The story is written in free verse and rhyming poetry with beautiful illustrations that demonstrate the yoga poses. I have been following Betty Larrea’s blog for several years, and she always has fun kids yoga ideas to share. This book captures the magic of Betty’s enthusiasm for kids yoga.

5 Things I Love About It:

1. Fun intro to yoga for kids written by a kid’s yoga teacher.
2. Nicely sequenced poses that flow from seated to standing, and then back down to the floor (or bed for bedtime).
3. Colorful illustrations that show Lucinda doing each pose.
4. Traditional yoga poses that all the kids in my class already know, including Balloon Breath, Butterfly, Frog, Tree, and Bridge.
5. Ends with Lucinda in bed, resting, which transitions nicely to Savasana and a guided meditation from my books, Imaginations or Imaginations 2.

To Purchase:

Price: $16.99

The book is available for purchase on Betty's website at http://www.beyogabelove.com/books/

For More Info:

Betty Larrea is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher who has been teaching yoga to children since 2001. She founded Be Yoga Be Love and is currently providing Author Visits, her yoga curriculum, staff development training, and event services for children, families and educators in schools, libraries, and yoga studios throughout NJ and NY.

Website: www.beyogabelove.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyogabelove

Twitter: www.twitter.com/bettylarrea

Giveaway:

Win a copy of Lucinda's Magical Yoga Adventure and Imaginations 2!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below by January 31st, 2016 at 11:59 PST. US entries only.

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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.

Gaiam’s Yoga for Kids DVDs with Jodi Komitor (Review and Giveaway)

Earlier this month, I posted “10 Ways to Help Kids with Stress” here in honor of Stress Awareness Month. One of those things was yoga! (Of course!) An easy way to introduce kids to yoga is through a DVD.

I am so excited to introduce Gaiam’s Yoga for Kids Dino-Mite Adventure and Outer Space Blastoff DVDs with Jodi Komitor. These videos are creative, relaxing, and fun. I love that the themes of dinosaurs and outer space coordinate perfectly with two of my relaxation stories, “A Trip in Your Spaceship” from Imaginations and “Dinosaur Friend” from Imaginations 2! (Be sure to enter the giveaway to win these kids yoga resources!)

Each DVD has 4 yoga practice sections, each approximately 15 minutes. I love that the DVDs are divided into these mini-sessions which include warmups, active poses, and relaxation time. This makes it easy to integrate the DVD into a classroom or home routine with little “bites” of yoga. Of course, kids will probably want to do more than one section since they are such fun!

The DVDs are geared towards kids ages 5 and up, and I have found that this age group LOVES kids yoga classes with dinosaur or outer space themes. What kid doesn’t romp around like a dinosaur or blast off into space? Gaiam and Jodi clearly know their audience.

The background sets are colorful and fun, and there are kids doing the yoga poses along with Jodi. Her instructions are clear, and she is able to not only teach the kids, but also interact with the DVD audience.

Here are the sections of each video and a few of the yoga poses they include:

Gaiam’s Yoga for Kids Dino-Mite Adventure with Jodi Komitor

Baby Brontosaurus

Kids start off as an egg and transform into a baby dinosaur.  (Poses: Child, Extended Cat, Dog, Volcano, Sun Salutations, Savasana, and more.)

Dino-Mite Yoga

Kids become a series of different dinosaurs. (Poses: Dog, Leg Kicks, Standing Wide Angle, Extended Mountain, Savasana, and more.)

Dino Dig

Kids dig for fossils and stretch after their hard work. (Poses: Butterfly, Child, Thread the Needle, Dog, Table, Savasana, and more.)

Bonus: Dino Duo

Kids do fun partner poses with a friend or parent at home. (Poses: Dog, Cat/Cow, Moutain, and more.)

Gaiam’s Yoga for Kids Outer Space Blast off with Jodi Komitor

Outer Space Blastoff

Kids get ready for their outer space adventure by putting on a space suit and blasting off into space. (Poses: Cat/Cow, Sun Salutations, and more.)

Solar System Yoga

Kids take a tour of the different planets.  (Poses: Down Dog, Plank, Volcano, Warrior 2, Side Plank, Happy Baby, and Savasana and more.)

Out of this World

Kids say affirmations while doing outer space inspired poses.  (Poses: Cat/Cow, Down Dog, Plank, Upward Dog, Sun Salutations, Warrior 2, Savasana and more with affirmations, “I am smart! I am healthy! I am flexible! I am strong!”.)

Bonus: Space Balance Balls

Kids do yoga poses on Balance Balls.  (Poses: Chair, Star, Plank, and more.)

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Gaiam’s Yoga for Kids Dino-Mite Adventure and Outer Space Blastoff DVDs with Jodi Komitor are a great combination of learning, fun, and yoga! Jodi transports kids with their imaginations using dinosaur and outer space poses and activities.  These videos are must-haves for any parent or teacher wishing to share yoga with kids.

Price: $14.98

Find them here and here.

Find out more about Jodi Komitor and Next Generation Yoga here.

For a chance to win a DVD and an Imaginations book, enter the Rafflecopter giveaway here.

One winner will receive:

Gaiam’s Yoga for Kids Outer Space Blast Off with Jodi Komitor and a copy of Imaginations: Fun Relaxation Stories and Meditations for Kids.

Another winner will receive:

Gaiam’s Yoga for Kids Dino-Mite Adventure with Jodi Komitor and a copy of Imaginations 2: Relaxation Stories and Guided Imagery for Kids

Enter the giveaway here by 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time April 30, 2015.

The Poetry of Kids Yoga Giveaway

Happy World Poetry Day! Kids yoga and poetry go hand in hand…  Yoga has even been called the poetry of the body, so it feels very natural to include poems in kids yoga sessions. Here are a few kids yoga poetry ideas:

Laila’s Lullaby by Puja Shah

Puja Shah is a fellow kids-yoga instructor and blogger in Southern California. I met her at a Kids For Peace holiday party, and that night she performed some of her own poetry. It gave me goosebumps to see her spoken-word performance. There is something about poetry that makes the author so vulnerable, and performing it live just increases that intensity.

At that party, Puja told me that she had written a yoga-themed poem for her daughter and wanted to turn it into a book. And now she has! She has published a sweetly illustrated book called Laila’s Lullaby based on the original yoga-themed poem.

 The pictures are colorful, peaceful, and dreamy, and it incorporates yogic themes of compassion, love, and courage. It also introduces and explains Sanskrit words like "ahimsa" (peaceful) and "vinyasa" (flow). 

While this book is certainly one to read to the little ones at bedtime, I also think that prenatal yoga students would enjoy hearing the poem during Savasana. Afterall, Puja wrote the poem after a particularly profound meditation while she was pregnant.

Now if only we could get Puja to come to all of our yoga classes to perform it out loud!

Find the book here on Amazon.

Visit Puja Shah's website here.

Twist by Janet Wong

Another fun yoga poetry book is Twist. Each poem is about a different yoga pose, including Child’s Pose, Cat/Cow, Dog, Warrior, Cobra, Crow, Half-Moon, Triangle, Tree, Eagle, Mountain/Volcano, Lion, Bridge, and Twist. There are also poems for Breath and Finding the Center. The illustrations are beautiful with Indian imagery and patterns that remind me of henna tattoos.

I use this book in my classes by picking a poem, and reading it out loud while the kids do the corresponding pose and look at the picture. It is a nice way to incorporate a picture book into a class with older kids, too.

Find the book here on Amazon.

Kids Yoga Haikus

I am not a poet, by any means, but I have had fun coming up with some haikus to use in kids yoga sessions. You can try teaching your yoga class with haiku, too! It’s a fun way to make the “same old poses” feel a little different.

Prompt kids to do poses by reading haikus. You can tell them the pose before you read the haiku or they can guess the pose from the poem and then do the pose. If you have time, have kids make up their own, too, and read them to the group. The beauty of the haiku is that there is a structure you can follow, so it makes the idea of writing a poem less intimidating.

Download Haiku Printable

Tree Pose          

A trunk tall and strong

Arms up and wiggle your leaves

Breathe in, breathe out, ahhh

Snake Pose

Flat on your belly

Heart opens, head lifts, strong arms

Hiss… Slither… Hiss Hiss

Dog Pose

Upside down Letter V

Big ol’ fat paws and wet nose

Wag your tail! Woof woof!

Dog Pose 2

Trying to be good

My leg goes up and – Whoopsie!

Puddle on the floor

Cat Pose

Round back, fur stands up

Purr Purr Purr Meow Meow Meow HISS

It’s time for a nap

Mountain

I am tall and brave

Standing strong, head in the clouds

Nothing can shake me

Crescent Moon

Arms up, bend right, left.

Sliver of light in the sky

Or a banana

Enter the giveaway to win a copy of Laila’s Lullaby, Twist, and Imaginations 2 by April 1, 2015 Midnight PST on our Giveaways and Contests page.

Anna and her Rainbow-Colored Yoga Mats by Giselle Shardlow

Kids Yoga Stories has recently released a 2nd edition of Anna and her Rainbow-Colored Yoga Mats by Giselle Shardlow.  It is one of my favorite books for a kids yoga class, and it was in the Top 3 of the Top Storybooks for Kids Yoga by OmAzing Kids and Bambino Yoga.

Anna is a new student at school and a child with hearing loss. Her classmates think she is weird, and point out all the things that make her different. As they make fun of her, she follows her heart and does what makes her happy, yoga! Eventually she makes a new friend, who also has hearing loss. Each day they do yoga together, and eventually all the classmates join in with colorful yoga mats to make a rainbow.

The book includes lots of fun yoga poses for kids including Cat, Horse, Duck, Tree, Jaguar, Snake, Pyramid, Sphinx, Camel, Mountain, and Bears. Multiple themes of rainbow colors, individuality, bullying, and staying true to yourself allow you to integrate the book easily into a yoga class or classroom.

The yoga book is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French on the Kids Yoga Stories website or on Amazon.

Anna and her Rainbow-Colored Yoga Mats book is also a recommended Time Extender activity in the “End of the Rainbow” lesson plan offered here.

Want to win a copy of Anna and her Rainbow-Colored Yoga Mats by Giselle Shardlow and a copy of Imaginations 2 by Carolyn Clarke?

Enter the giveaway to win this book by April 1st Midnight PST on our Giveaway and Contest page.

Kids Yoga Stories and Imaginations Giveaway!

I am a big fan of Kids Yoga Stories, and Giselle Shardlow's last two books are the best! You can enter a giveaway to win them both along with a copy of Imaginations below:

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Here's what I love about Hello, Bali:

1. A tropical, happy place

This sweet book says "Hello" to Bali and all its treasures- flowers, trees, statues, dolphins, waterfalls, monkeys, and more. Kids follow along with the pictures of the yoga poses that correspond with each page. The illustrations are beautiful, colorful, and help you feel the sand in between your toes and the sun on your skin. I am a sucker for blue water, ocean waves, and tropical breezes.  They take me right to my happy place. :)

2. Sequencing of yoga poses

The sequencing of poses flow very naturally. Sometimes when you use a book in a yoga class, it feels forced because you are doing poses along with the story, and you might be standing one minute, sitting the next, and then back on your feet again. Hello, Bali  feels like the words were written around the yoga flow, so it is very easy to integrate it into your yoga class. You can even use it to transition from active poses to relaxation, since the last pose in the story is savasana.

3. Educational

Colorful, educational information is included at the end about the Indonesian language. You can teach your kids or students to count in Indonesian, or say simple conversational phrases. This is a great tool for getting kids intrigued by other cultures, and teaching the idea of connection (i.e. "Namaste").

Here's what I love about Good Night, Animal World:

1. Says "Good Night" to the animals

Good Night, Animal World says "Good Night" to 12 animals from different parts of the world through . Each animal has a corresponding yoga pose. I love this concept because it reminds me of my favorite storybook from when I was a little girl, Good Night Moon!

2. Teaches geography

The book has a fun map showing where in the world these animals are from. The yoga pose list at the end of the book also includes corresponding flags from the different countries. Such a cute, educational touch!

3. Gentle sequencing

A gentle sequence of yoga poses that can either get a child ready for bedtime or for relaxation time at the end of a yoga class. The last pose is Savasana, so again, you could use this book to transition from a more energetic time in yoga class to a final relaxation.

Both of these books are essentials for any kids yoga teacher, and parents will love them too, of course!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway in the above Rafflecopter box. They are available for purchase on KidsYogaStories.com and Amazon.com.

Namaste,

Carolyn

December Giveaway- ABC's of Australian Animals, The Museum, and Imaginations

Enter by Midnight PST Friday, December 13, 2013  below to win these three fun children's books!

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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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