I am in the midst of a NGY Teacher Training, which always proves to be an empowering, inspiring, high vibrational experience for all involved. Even though, every training I lead has the same curriculum, the energy and dynamics of the trainees is always unique which allows for true magic to unfold. Also, I am always at a different place in my life & teachings that my delivery of the material is never the same. This is all good news.

Where I am today is about honoring the innocence and divinity inside of children. They say what they mean and hardly ever hold back. To me, it feels like the younger they are the purer - meaning they sensor less. They are filled with positivity and see beauty in all.

Yesterday, during a demonstration class, a 3 yr. old yogini exclaimed exactly just this…. “Look the fairy dust is falling!” She was pointing at the window which was illuminated with what we as adults would call DUST! And there was lots of it. As adults, we may be grossed out or have the ill feeling of being in a dirty space, But not Maya, she sees the beauty! It was a great opportunity for us all to stop and appreciate and love the truth in children.

What an incredible journey I got to share with 7 trusting, loving, beaming Kids Yoga Teachers & enthusiasts. In the magical, conscious land of Encinitas, Nicole Harmony & I facilitated a 4-day sacred retreat where creativity, authenticity and nourishment for our souls were the primary. For with these tools, we are inspired to express, connect, and share ourselves with the whole world.

What I loved most about this retreat was the evolution that unfolded…our auric fields shined brighter and more clear each day as we soaked up trust, creative expression, unconditional love and Yoga. If you have ever done a retreat, you know what I am saying…we let go of our ego’s and connected with each other on a deep level, without judgment, soul to soul.

The activities we played were so full of fun, creativity, high vibration and meaning! There was no pressure for anyone to ever share or do if they chose out. Which is the same offering I bring to kids yoga classes. In fact the whole retreat mirrored kids yoga, as we infused the body, mind, soul through movement, love, spirituality and self-awareness.

I have so much gratitude for the courageous participants who journeyed with us and for my awesome career that supports transformation, creativity and joy. My offering to you…check in, are you in your dharma?

Living in the 21st century, I am so grateful for the Internet! The web has connected me to so many amazing people around the world, and this blog entry is dedicated to a Yogi friend in Nepal, doing similar work as I: teaching kids yoga and meditation.

Shri Surendraji emailed me about 2 years ago, after finding me in cyber-land, greeting me with good wishes and praises for Next Generation Yoga. He said I inspired him and dreams of one day me joining him in Nepal to spread the love of kids yoga together. I instantly had admiration for this man, as in the 10 years on this path I have yet to meet a male leader like him. He is presently spreading his work with youth in India and I know one day, we will unite with our mission.

“I used to think deeply about the situations around the world & always wished to do something solid to make the entire universe more peaceful & worth living. I felt that the focus of the people should be changed. The positive attitude should be developed in every individual which is possible only by way of yoga & meditation.”– Shri Surendraji

I love the Back to School vibe in September…when the weather shifts, the sun is less intense, the Jewish holidays are here and it’s back to Yoga classes!

Themes I have been sharing in Next Generation Yoga kids & family classes are The 5 W’s of Yoga, Yoga is non-competitive & Autumnal Solstice Yoga. Introducing Yoga with reverence is so important especially when beginning a series of classes, like I am teaching in schools and at yoga studios. What Is Yoga? Who created Yoga? Who can do Yoga? Where does Yoga come from? Where can we do Yoga? Why do Yoga? When was Yoga started? When is it best to do Yoga? These are the foundations of Yoga and will support and grow the Yoga classes that we share

***Exciting news..NGY Lesson Plan: Yoga is…5 W’s of Yoga is coming to you this fall!

Gloria O’Shea is the amazing, contributing mother of Sean who was tragically killed on the 5 Freeway in San Diego, less than 2 years ago. Sean, founder of Four Seasons Yoga studio, is a leader amongst youth whom he “empowered by helping them develop life skills that enabled them to take responsibility for their life, develop respect for themselves and others, and have confidence in their own potential.” This is now the Sean O’Shea Foundation mission statement. I would never question duality, but his life was definitly taken way too young! He had big plans, and now Gloria is making them happen!

The organization will offer a yoga and wellness program specifically designed for children 6th-12th grades. The programs will allow for children from ages 10-17 to develop their full potential through exciting and motivating classes led by outstanding and qualified Yoga leaders from local communities. I am on board and will be teaching a special Family Yoga class where all proceeds will go to the Sean O’Shea Foundation.

I never met Sean but feel like I know him well. When I entered Four Seasons Yoga I felt his Soul present, it was impossible not too. Sean was clearly an example of excellence, patience, discipline and a joy for life and personal growth. His teachings were particularly effective with youth, and gratefully his legend lives on.

I recently had the amazing opportunity of sharing the gift of Yoga with a 13 yr. old girl who was recently told she has Scoliosis. Her mom, a certified Yoga instructor, has in the past highly encouraged Sienna to do yoga but as she explained, it was different coming from Mom: a tad bit pushy, with pure love. Because she knows the power of yoga, she wants these benefits for her daughter. In my 10 years of teaching kids yoga, this is a common scenario for children of Yoga teachers to resist what it is their parents are offering.

I got to be the difference for Sienna and lead her in a private, loving Yoga class. Super simple sequence, we began lying down, knees bent and counting the length of our inhalation and exhalation. I don’t think Sienna ever paid attention to her breath before this exercise.

Working with a teenager, I opted to connect with her by meeting her where she was at. I didn’t stare at her or put too much weight on how she did the poses. We did mantra meditations which immediately opened her up. I acknowledged her efforts and reminded her that her body was so grateful for her taking time to stretch, breathe & relax.

What I loved most about this experience is that I witness a transformation in Sienna from teh beginning of the class to the end. If you do Yoga, you know the kind. If you dont, what are you waiting for!?

Sienna is now committed to doing Yoga poses and breathing exercises on her own at home daily. She is being responsible and self-loving and with discipline she will not be wear a brace during her Freshman year of HS.

The October 2007 fires in San Diego were the first time I ever experienced this kind of natural devastation. I recall those days of hibernating inside my coastal house staying clear of toxic air, while others inland lost their homes, belongings, pets and stuff, simply depending which way the wind blew. It was awful, and I am glad I was able to be of support today.

Yesterday I had the amazing opportunity of volunteering yoga teachings at Camp Noah - a camp for kids who lost everything from the wildfires in Fallbrook, California. It was so amazing to offer the gift of yoga to these kids especially because none of them have ever heard of Yoga before. Like most kids, they took to it like ducks in water. They especially loved the affirmations we stated during poses, ie. I am courageous, I am strong, I am safe. I could feel the strength these kids endured by undergoing incredible hardships.

Here is a link to an article about the camp they also did in March ‘08 - Camp Noah.

Today, after doing a picnic themed Family Yoga class with 2-4 yr. olds, I hosted the real thing at the house. It was SO fun and activities included…lunch at the picnic table, side-walk chalking the stepping stones, touring & tasting in the garden, parachute playing and lots of hammock swinging and pushing. We all had a blast and when the tired-ness started to show, it was clear it was time to go.

What was also obvious, was what a BIG kid I am and further how in my Dharma I am. Dharma is a Sanskrit word that means ‘life’s purpose.’ Everyone is born with a purpose in life, a unique talent = GIFT! Each of our gifts have needs in the world that when we match our talent with that need, we are in Dharma. My gift that I express in my own unique way is connecting with children. I do this with Yoga, authentic connections, humor and love.

An email I got today…

Jodi, has it ever occurred to you that the communication techniques you teach in kids’ teacher training are absolutely evolutionarily invaluable when it comes to dealing with adults?  i’ve been using your tools in both teaching yoga and in everyday moments.  it is magical.  all people are children.  when you can talk straight to that place in ANY being, EVERY time, magical breakthroughs occur. thank you for that!

Imagine if we did speak and treat all those adults we come into contact with as if they were kids. Speaking to them with loving kindness and with out judgment. Caring for them as we are their care-givers. Nurturing them always, not just when their needs need fulfillment. Hugging them because they are so darn cute!!

Just try it for one day, one hour, one minute…and do let me know how it goes!

I was gifted an adorable book last week from a trainee while in New York delivering the NGY Teacher Training for 2-7 yr. olds. I used it in a demo kids yoga class during the TT & again today when I taught NGY Family Yoga for 2-4 yr. olds. The kids loved the whole class, whats not to love about monkey-ing around!

Busy Monkeys by John Schindel has beautiful colorful pictures of real life monkeys in their habitat - in extreme action, doing things that kids too would love to do. The book has minimal words but they are so full of energy…Monkey hiding…Monkey riding…Monkey leaping…Monkey creeping…Monkey ooohing…Monkey cleaning…Monkey snuggling….” Can’t you imagine toddlers just loving being busy monkeys?

How about a 3 yr. old modulating her body, soothing her nervous system and relaxing in a restorative yoga pose? All busy monkeys (and people!) get tired and crave slowing down, a recharge of batteries. So at the end of this busy yoga class, thats what we did: Restorative Yoga!