Yoga for the Young at Heart

I just graduated my first cohort of youth yoga teachers at LMU!

Let’s explore the ethical considerations and social justice aspects of teaching youth yoga and mindfulness. While we can never guarantee a “safe space” for everyone, we can cultivate containers that are nurturing, inclusive, accessible, and equitable. In doing so, we can better show up for the children in our lives, build their trust, and use our positions of power to empower (not abuse power, consciously or unconsciously). 

This important work is for the young at heart—not the faint of heart.

This trauma-informed training is great not only for yoga teachers but also parents, caregivers, educators, administrators—and anyone wanting to tend to their inner child. This is about more than teaching children and modeling healthy habits; it’s about re-parenting ourselves and deprogramming harmful samskaras (mental impressions), so we can end cycles of intergenerational trauma. Beyond building resiliency, this training will help you tap into your true power and lead with a courageous open heart. All are welcome. 


What’s included: 

  • Sadhana (daily practice), including pranayama (breathwork) and meditation

  • Development of agreements for building trust and fostering safety

  • Beyond asana (postures): understanding the 8 limbs of Yoga 

  • Honoring the roots of Yoga 

  • Deep dive into the ethics of the Yoga tradition (yamas and niyamas)

  • Understanding of the guṇas (energetic qualities) and considerations for creating balance

  • Overview of the nervous system and the impacts of trauma

  • Principles of trauma-informed yoga and why it’s so important

  • Tools for self-regulation and increasing capacity 

  • A variety of movement practices, including accessible chair yoga, restorative yoga, qigong exercises, and more 

  • Various meditation techniques + how to teach them to children

  • Inquiry, journaling prompts, and time for reflection and sharing 

  • Supportive group container

  • Classroom management and attuning to students’ wide range of needs

  • Lesson planning and activity worksheets

  • Continuing education units via Yoga Alliance (may also be eligible for professional development units for teachers) 

“Your class was so perfect for me. And my students. I can’t tell you how appreciative of everything I am.”

— E.H., High School Teacher & Coach

Roots of Teaching

I was a preschool teacher for five years before I started teaching yoga. In 2018, I graduated my first 200-hour yoga teacher training (Roots of Yoga with Kenny Graham and Hannah Muse). That fall, I started a yoga and mindfulness program at Little Oak Preschool, called True Nature. Each week, I’d help students, ages 3 to 5, connect to their bodies and the earth.

 

Approach to Teaching

My teaching style is the same, whether I’m teaching to a group of preschoolers, high schoolers, adults, or seniors. While my language and delivery may differ, I meet all students where they’re at through accessible, inclusive, trauma-informed classes that playfully weave story-telling with creative exercises for all ages.

Schools I’ve taught at:

“Knowledge of mind and emotions should be taught in schools. If every 8-year-old in the world is taught meditation, we would eliminate violence from the world with one generation.”

— Dalai Lama

Yoga for your inner / outer child

I love teaching to students of all ages and for all occasions.
Get in touch below!