The Kids Yoga Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jessica Mougis
The place for all things kids yoga! Join Jessica Mougis (Founder of Jem Yoga NYC and kid's yoga teacher for over ten years) as she shares her knowledge of sharing yoga with children. She also interviews kid's yoga teachers, business owners and innovators leading the way in the kid's yoga field. Parents, teachers, yogis, non-yogis are all welcome here!
Recognizing that children need balance and focus in their lives, Lani first incorporated yoga into her daily schedule while teaching first grade in Coney Island, Brooklyn, back in the late '90s. Wanting to deepen her own yoga practice, she received her 200-hour certification from the Nosara Yoga Institute in Nosara, Costa Rica. Then, building on her extensive experience with young children, she went on to be certified by Next Generation Yoga in NYC and in Kenya, the Radiant Child Yoga Program, Street Yoga, Circus Yoga, Baby Om, Mindful Schools Teacher Trainings, and United We Om, which focuses on training for under-resourced and trauma-impacted communities. In 2003, Lani headed cross-country to San Francisco, and a year later founded and created Full of Joy Yoga. Over the next four years, she taught yoga to children in preschools, yoga studios, homes, homeless shelters, and after-school programs all over the Bay Area. In 2007, she relocated to Connecticut, bringing her expertise to the East Coast. She discovered after having her own child, Zephyr (who is now 10), that family yoga was one of her favorite classes to teach. Training others to teach yoga to kids is one of Lani's passions, as she realizes she can reach many more children by sharing her skills and talents with other instructors. These last two years of the pandemic, Lani has been teaching outdoor yoga in preschools in all kinds of weather (think snow-ga!) and remotely in New Haven’s public schools – all of which feels like a gift during the uncertainty of these times. Most recently, Lani published a book called Yoga Games for Kids and will soon have videos to accompany the book’s games on her YouTube channel. Lani is always striving to improve the lives and futures of children, and to help them laugh, love, and grow. In this episode, Lani shares powerful insights from her over 20 years in the kids yoga industry. She shares what's kept her in this work over the years, her current passions, and some of her favorite stories. A wonderful and rich conversation, Lani has so much knowledge that we can all benefit and learn from- Listen in NOW!
Marneta Viegas is the founder of Relax Kids Ltd - the UK's leading expert on children's relaxation. She set up her revolutionary relaxation program in 2000 and is the author of 13 books and has produced a range of over 25 relaxation CDs/MP3s. Marneta has over 40 years of experience in meditation and relaxation and runs a training program where she has trained over 5,000 franchisees from 50 countries in her unique award-winning method of relaxation. She lives in Oxford, UK, with her dog Ronnie Barker. In this episode Marneta shares what it was like being a meditating vegetarian way before it was trendy, why she shifted her focus from being on TV to performing for children, and what led her to teach meditation to children. Ahead of her time, Marneta is an amazing example of following your own inner voice even when those around you don't understand. An uplifting and fascinating conversation- Listen in NOW!
Kristi Fischer and Kelly Winkler are the hosts of the new podcast, Mindful Conversations with KAY. Both woman have extensive experience sharing yoga and mindfulness with children and families. In this conversation, they dive into their visions for the future of kids yoga, how we can realistically incorporate mindfulness into our parenting, how their relationships with their children have changed since they found yoga, and all about their new podcast with Kidding Around Yoga. Listen in NOW!
Ashley Fontes is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher with the National Association of Iyengar Yoga and a registered ERYT-500 Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance. She is the creator of , the Kids' Read and Yoga podcast, and multiple kids yoga games. Ashley has been teaching children's yoga for 10 years and is a mother of 3 little yogis, and 2 yogi dogis. Ashley has her first yoga book coming out in the next couple of months. In this episode she shares how yoga has helped her on her mental health journey, and how she's presented the practice for her children. Such an important topic, listen in now!
Originally aired in February 2021, this episode features Abigail Wilber. Abilgail is an educator, public speaker, and coach. She wants to make mindfulness inclusive, adaptive and relevant to all ages. Abigail loves teaching kids life skills like how to calm down, pay attention, and problem solve. She shares her experience teaching yoga to large groups of teenagers and how she approaches special needs classes. She also sheds light on some red flags to look for when it comes to navigating the business of kids yoga. A shining gem for kids yoga teachers. Listen now!
Kira Willey, author of Breathe Like a Bear, Peaceful Like a Panda and the Mindfulness Moments for Kids board book series, is also a children’s music artist, kids’ yoga and mindfulness expert, and creator of Rockin’ Yoga school programs. She has released five albums of kids’ yoga and mindfulness songs; her work has won Parents’ Choice Gold, Independent Music and International Songwriting Awards. Her hits include “Colors,” which was featured in a worldwide Dell ad campaign, and “Just Be,” which has been streamed more than 2.5 million times. Kira created and hosts several yoga-for-kids programs which air on PBS TV affiliates nationwide; and her TEDx talk, “Bite-Sized Mindfulness,” can be viewed online. Rockin’ Yoga, Kira’s membership, is a thriving community of open-hearted kids yoga educators bringing mindful practices to our next generation. In this episode Kira shares how and why she began sharing yoga for children, how her first kids yoga music album came to be, the inspiration behind her books, and her hopes and dreams for kids yoga and mindfulness in the next ten years. A powerful and inspirational conversation, the perfect listen for every kids yoga professional. Tune in NOW! Some FREE resources provided by Kira can be found for all KYP listeners here: Here is a page with some of Kira’s most loved yoga resources for your listeners.
Kids Yoga Gems are key pieces of advice offered by the over 75 kids yoga professionals from around the globe that have been on The Kids Yoga Podcast. In this special two year anniversary episode, Host and Creator of The KYP, Jessica Mougis, shares some common themes she's heard hoping we can all benefit from these words of wisdom from. Listen in NOW!
Cathy Cassani Adams, LCSW, co-hosts the Zen Parenting Radio podcast and is co-founder of the annual Zen Parenting Conference. She is a social worker, certified parent coach, former elementary school educator, and yoga teacher who is a forever student when it comes to breathing and mindfulness. Cathy teaches in the Sociology/Criminology Department at Dominican University, and she lives outside of Chicago with her husband Todd and their three daughters. In this conversation, Cathy shares about her journey with yoga and her decade long experience podcasting. She also talks about her new book "Zen Parenting" Caring for Ourselves and Our Children in an Unpredictable World", explains the chakras and offers wise parenting advice. Listen in NOW!
This episode was originally released in April of 2021. James Woods (@datyogadude) has a passion for sharing the tools he has learned on his personal journey to wellness. He has a degree in marriage and family therapy, is a registered yoga teacher, speaker, mentor, author, organizer, teacher and active community member. He is president of FEEL FREE 2 FEEL FREE a health and wellness organization that provides wellness programs and services. James gets candid about his personal yoga journey and how he now shares those tools with black boys and educators. His perspective is important and must be heard! Listen now.
This episode was originally released in March of 2021. Crystal McCreary is a Lead Yoga, Mindfulness and Health Educator & Teacher Trainer with 13+ years of experience in instructing yoga and mindfulness to people of all ages. She facilitates trainings for organizations that aim to support the social and emotional wellbeing of youth and adults, and currently works full-time in the Health Department at an independent school in NYC. Crystal is also the author of the Little Yogi Deck which focuses on emotional intelligence and guides children towards creating a home practice. In this episode, Crystal shares what it means to embody social justice, and why when we prioritize our own healing (by using the technology of yoga) we can create lasting change in the world. She also offers gem after gem of wisdom. Jessica left this interview so fired up she had to go for a brisk walk! Listen in NOW.
This episode was originally released in June of 2020. SonJoria Sydnor is the author and founder of Our Family’s Doing Yoga LLC. She is also a parenting educator, wellness advocate and certified yoga instructor with over 10 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. As a wife and mother of three amazing children, yoga has become a special part of SonJoria’s family routine. Naturally she became passionate about kids and family yoga. Her vision to expand the face of wellness is manifesting with the help of her children through their series of books, YouTube Channel & BKDY Club. In this conversation, SonJoria opens up about her experience as a mother, nonprofit founder (I AM Breastfeeding) and black woman in this world. She generously shares how she talks with her children about race, and offers insight into how to encourage children to start practicing yoga at home. Listen in and prepare to be inspired!
This episode was originally released in December of 2020. Cynthia Zak is a journalist, yoga enthusiast, musician, author, and entrepreneur from Argentina. She has shared yoga with children of every religion, race, age, and income bracket for over 15 years in Miami. She is a pioneer in leading Kids Yoga trainings for hundreds of Spanish speaking people from all over the world and a Founder of Yomu. Her beautiful music, enthusiasm for making yoga accessible to all, and generosity in sharing her insight is a true gift. Listen in and learn from the best!
First released in April of 2020, this interview with Jodi Golda Komitor was a true dream come true. Jodi is the founder of Next Generation Yoga® (NGY) - the first Kids Yoga studio in the world. Inspired by a background in education, she pioneered Next Generation Yoga in 1998 in New York City, a company she operated for 21 years. During her season as CEO of NGY, she celebrated many successes, including running a thriving international company with multiple six-figure year earnings, authoring The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Yoga with Kids, receiving multiple features in renowned media sources, starring in Yoga videos with Gaiam & Comcast on Demand, winning the Kids Yoga Service Award from the National Kids Yoga Conference leading a volunteer service project in Kenya and certifying 100+ Africa Yoga Project teachers in Next Generation Yoga methodology. In May of 2019, she passed the baton and sold Next Generation Yoga. Her experience in successfully starting, building and scaling a business has her passionate for mentoring entrepreneurs. She is the organizer of a non-competitive, like-minded international business group called The Biz of Kids Yoga™ where she provides private and group coaching. As well, she consults for mission-based small businesses who are in various phases of growth, including starting up, scaling big and everything in between. In this conversation, Jodi shares her pioneering kids yoga journey and offers invaluable insight on running a kids yoga business from hiring teachers, to scaling her business, to shifting her business model. A MUST listen for any kids yoga teacher!
In this special re-release we hear the first ever KYP interview with Marissa Goulbourne, originally aired in February of 2020. Marissa is now the Owner of Prana Prenatal Yoga in Westchester, NY. She began practicing yoga regularly in 2014 as a way to cross-train for the NYC Marathon. She deepened her practice in 2016 during her pregnancy, and credits yoga with not only helping her through labor and delivery, but also with strengthening the bond between her and her unborn child. Having spent nearly 15 years working in urban education, Marissa has a passion for empowering children of all ages and helping them succeed. She completed her 200 hour training at Yoga Haven with Betsy Kase, and lives in Westchester County with her husband and daughter. She enjoys reading, cooking, and hanging out with her beautiful blended family, and her favorite asana is Tree Pose (Vrksasana). Jessica and Marissa discuss how Marissa got into teaching kids yoga, how she handles discipline in her classes, and how yoga at home with her daughter differs from her kids yoga classes. They also touch on challenges that may come up when teaching and how best to handle them in the moment. Marissa is insightful and thoughtful and offers so many helpful words of wisdom. Tune in and be inspired!
On this special Thanksgiving episode, host Jessica Mougis shares why she is so grateful for this podcast and how it's developed over the past two years. With her third baby due early December, she shares the exciting KYP plan for her maternity that includes some exciting episode re-releases and a special two year anniversary episode. Listen in now and THANK YOU for being here.
Athea Davis is a mindfulness educator, speaker, and writer dedicated to guiding others to climb the rocky mountains of their life while discovering their inner spark so they feel FULLY alive. She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Policy and Leadership, is a Texas Certified Educator, an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) and a Children’s Registered Yoga Teacher (RCYT). She’s the author of Today’s Gonna Be Awesomesauce: Daily Meditations for Youth, Parents & Families, and the creator of the powerfully positive mindfulness resource, Today’s Gonna Be Awesomesauce: Affirmation + Art Card Deck for Youth, Parents, and Educators. Athea owns Sol Sense Yoga, a mindfully-infused education and leadership company, where she leads live mindfulness trainings + digital courses for leaders, educators, and parents. She is the host of the rising education podcast, Mindful Living with Athea Davis. In this conversation, Athea opens up generously about how trauma and pain brought her to the yoga mat and why she decided to keep showing up. She inspires with insights of transforming her pain into something beautiful and shares why following her curiosity has led her to where she is today. Listen in NOW for an honest and powerful conversation.
DeAntwann “DJ” Johnson is a husband, father, author, mentor, coach, counselor, and sports statistician. He grew up in the Indiana foster care system and yet despite that, has gone on to lead a successful, and fulfilling life. Before spending nine years in the foster care system, DJ suffered child abuse, domestic abuse, and emotional trauma. At one point, he wanted to end his life, but he realized that he was on this earth for a purpose. It wasn’t an easy road, but DJ was fortunate enough to have several people throughout his life who inspired him to do great things, inspite of everything that he had been through. He worked hard to overcome a life full of hardships, humiliation, aggression, and self-esteem issues, allowing him to be an active advocate for youth. DJ is a compassionate man who has a special place in his heart for uplifting and inspiring students to be the best that they can be. In this conversation, DJ generously shares how his own upbringing brought him to the powerful work he's doing today. He also shares some of his most powerful parenting insights (easily applicable to teachers working with children!) and how and why the new philosophy of parenting differs from the old school way. Packed with gems and insight, this interview is a must listen for all educators and teachers. Listen in NOW!
Kaajal Agnani, Founder and CEO of Boundless Blooms is on a mission to inspire the next generation of kindful (kind + mindful) humans. Launching her business has been a true labor of love for Kaajal, one where she's been able to combine years of experience in research, operations, marketing, and customer experience, with her passion for children's education and development. Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness have played such an instrumental role in her life, and when she began to reflect on how game-changing it would have been for her if she had access to those tools as a child, she knew that her first products had to achieve a specific aim: to make mindfulness meditation fun and accessible for kids of all ages. Since launching, Boundless Blooms has partnered with non-profit organizations, schools, and university programs to make mindfulness accessible to thousands of kids across the country. Kaajal holds a BA in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley and an MBA from the University of Southern California (where she studied mindfulness). She currently lives in Los Angeles with her partner, Raja, vibrant toddler, Zavi, and sweet baby, Ayaan. In this conversation, Kaajal shares what inspired her to start her business, how she's found likeminded collaborators, what mindfulness looks like in her day to day life with two small children, and her hopes and dreams for Boundless Blooms. Kaajal is insightful and has so much wisdom to share. Listen in NOW!
Nicole Koleshis is the founder of Seattle Kids Yoga and a pediatric occupational therapist. She has been teaching yoga to children and families for almost 2 decades. She is currently living and working from the road in her tiny home on wheels, a converted camper van named Free Bird. Since embarking on her Kids Yoga teaching journey in 2002, Nicole has taught yoga and mindfulness to thousands of children and families, facilitated trainings and courses in US and internationally, led family yoga retreats in Costa Rica and Hawaii, developed curriculum, including hundreds of lesson plans; coached aspiring kids yoga teachers and business owners, and recently authored her 1st book Yoga for Little Kids. Nicole is committed to honoring the roots of yoga and making it accessible, relatable, and enjoyable for all children. In this conversation, Nicole share exactly what Occupational Therapist is and how that work is so interrelated with kids yoga. She also delves into her fascinating story of deciding to embark on a life on the road, and how she has embraced changes in her business kids yoga business. Her reminder to always be a student of yoga always so we can learn to do better is timely and important. Listen in now and learn so much!
Laurie Brockhaus has worked with youth in the St. Louis area since 2000, as a classroom teacher and social worker in school and community organizations, and has taught yoga to children and adults since 2004. She brings together years of experience in education, social justice work, therapy, and yoga/ mindfulness. Laurie co-founded and directs The Oxygen Project: Yoga for Youth which empowers youth through the tools of yoga and mindfulness by offering low or no-cost programming at schools and youth agencies in underserved communities. She also coordinates yoga teacher training programs and instructs group sessions at Urban Breath Yoga. Laurie is certified as a Yoga Therapist through the International Association of Yoga Therapists; she often instructs yoga trainings relevant to mental health and social service and is a mental health and yoga therapist in private practice, specializing in work with children and adolescents. In the conversation, Laurie shares her yoga story and what inspired her to begin sharing yoga with underserved communities in St Louis. She describes why offering yoga and mindfulness programming in school systems to all children is so important and the challenges and rewards that come along with that work. She also talks about how she has been caring for herself during the pandemic and the blessings she's found within it all. Listen in NOW!
Patty Wildasinn lives in Southern California with her husband and two adult children. Her son, Kaler, who was diagnosed early in his life with Autism and and overgrowth disorder called Soto's Syndrome, has been a driving force in her personal journey and an inspiration for teaching special populations. Patty has taught Kundalini Yoga since 2004 to all levels and abilities, and quickly realized that she loved working with non-typical yogis, seniors, and kids with special needs. This has fueled her passion and commitment to make yoga accessible to everyone through acceptance, modification, and choices. She is a Level Two Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher. Prior to teaching yoga, Patty was a counselor by profession, working primarily with people in chemical dependency rehabilitation facilities. Her background in human development and helping others to succeed carries over naturally into her teaching and writing. In the beginning of her yoga journey, Patty was given the spiritual name of Patwant Kaur. The destiny provided by the name translates as "The Princess Who is the Keeper of the Honor." She is honored to maintain, expand, and share her life and the yogic teachings with extraordinary groups of people. In this conversation, Patty shares how she found Kundalini yoga and what the philosophy is behind this style of practice. She also talks about why if you can breathe, you can do yoga. In addition, she gets honest about the challenges and rewards in doing her work. Her new book "Yogable" is out now and has so much valuable information on how to share yoga with special populations. Listen in now and learn so much!
This week host Jessica Mougis shares her family's personal experience with Covid. We are all doing our best to navigate this new world where Covid is a reality we are forced to live with. And, Jessica feels the more stories we hear about personal experiences with Covid the less alone we will feel. Jessica also shares why our work as kids yoga and mindfulness teachers is more important now than ever. Listen in now!
Rina Jakubowicz, founder and creator of Rina Yoga and Super Yogis has a vibrant and uplifting approach to yoga. She has been teaching yoga in English and Spanish for over 20 years and has been a featured presenter at numerous well know yoga festivals. Rina is the author of the best selling book, “The Yoga Mind: 52 Essential Principles of Yoga Philosophy to Deepen Your Practice,” and has an international following in the U.S., Chile, Puerto Rico, Mexico, South Korea and Andorra. Rina’s yoga videos are found on ER Yoga Studio, Gaia TV, Yoga Journal Online, Yogi's Anonymous, Headspace, Fabletics and Udaya, and she is the yoga expert on Univision’s Tu Desayuno Alegre. She has twice appeared on the cover of Yoga Journal in the US and in Spain, and has been featured in Yoga Journal Russia. She resides in Los Angeles, CA and Miami, FL with her husband, her bonus daughter and her Rhodesian Ridgeback, Roo. In this episode, Rina describes her unique introduction to yoga in her 20's and how she dove head first into a full time career as a young age. She also opens up about how her anger struggles as a child have created a passion for her to share this practice with children. Her story of starting her company Super Yogis, which began as kids yoga classes and has developed into online kids yoga videos, is fascinating and inspiring. Rina's contagious joy and ability to truly empathize with children by "putting it on" (putting on the child's experience as if it is her own) is so impactful. Listen in to this conversation and feel ignited to follow your own dreams!
Natasha Bryant is a yoga teacher that specializes in bringing yoga and mindfulness to children, teens and families of all abilities under the name Amazing Me Yoga. She has a passion for teaching self love from an early age by providing a safe space to express from the heart, move with love and connect with one's self as well as each other. Natasha's yoga classes meet the student where they are, they focus on listening to your own body over 'perfecting' poses. Natasha is a mum to 2 wonderful children aged 3 and 8 who are her main source of inspiration. Amazing Me Yoga is full of games, playfulness, music, affirmations, drawing, journaling, poses, mindfulness, breath work and life - because it is all Yoga. In this conversation, Natasha shares how she found yoga as a balance to her focus on fitness after having her first baby. She also shares why yoga isn't something to be pictured, but rather to be experienced. In addition, she talks about her biggest challenges and greatest rewards in starting Amazing Me Yoga. Her perspective on parenting and self-care are truly refreshing and comforting too. Listen in now and be inspired!
Camelia (Mimi) Felton is a Yoga Alliance 200RYT Yoga Teacher, a KAY (Kidding Around Yoga) Certified Kids Yoga Teacher, a Certified Meditation Instructor, a YBB (Yoga Behind Bars) certified Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor & a Reiki ll Practitioner. Mimi started Mimi's Yoga Kids in 2018 after realizing the many benefits of doing yoga with her young grandson. She knew that this was something that kids and their families needed. She couldn't find what she wanted so she decided to create it! She is very excited to share all these wonderful practices with children and their families. She wants to share her knowledge with the world to cultivate awareness on how these wonderful practices can teach all of us, especially our children, MINDFULNESS, INNER PEACE, MEDITATION & IMAGINATION! On her second appearance on the podcast, Mimi shares how her business has grown and pivoted 18 months into the pandemic. She also gives helpful advice for kids yoga business owners, and life advice on how we can best create the life we've dreamed of. Mimi's positive and vibrant energy is magnetic, and this episode is bound to leave you feeling inspired from the inside out. Listen in NOW!
Kathryn Mercer has been a speech language pathologist for 25 years and a follower of yoga throughout her adult life. Currently, Kathryn is a Clinical Educator and a Contributing Faculty Member for Speech Therapy at the University of St. Augustine. Her private practice as guide to parents of children with communication and executive functioning is called Our Bright Path. Her areas of specialty include Autism, Executive Functioning and pediatric language and speech challenges. She has dedicated much time to learning from Autistic people (in her life and elsewhere) about neurodiverse experiences. These inform many of her clinical (and parenting) approaches. Kathryn is a certified 500 hour yoga teacher and yoga teacher for children. She also has completed several trainings for trauma-sensitive yoga. Kathryn parents her neurodivergent teenaged children and volunteers her time teaching with Bliss Kid Yoga in Austin, Texas. Kathryn has formally presented to fellow clinicians and to parents on subjects related to mindfulness research, interpersonal neurobiology, and trauma as they relate to speech therapy/communication difficulties. Kathryn is also the host of the new podcast, Yoga Kids Adventure, the first yoga podcast made specifically for children. Kathryn shares how she infuses yoga into her speech pathology work and has great insight into the idea of effective communication. She also talks about her collaborative experience working on the Yoga Kids Adventure Podcast, their deliberate approach to the language used in the podcast, and how as a team they've created a wonderful resource for children to practice yoga at home. Kathryn is a warm, present and articulate person with so much valuable knowledge to share. Listen in NOW!
Emily Fleming is a dynamic educator and yoga practitioner whose sankalpa, “Soft Heart, Courageous Truth”, guides her daily interactions and sparks her motivation to offer the transformative benefits of yoga to students of all ages. Having begun her yoga practice at age 16, Emily brings more than 10 years of experience in addition to certification (M.A.T., RYT500, RCYT, YACEP) to all who embrace her teaching. Emily currently resides in her hometown of Baltimore, MD where she teaches yoga to middle school students at The Crossroads School, full-time. Her journey to serving in this capacity speaks to her steadfast belief in the power manifested through following your heart. Not only was Emily the first to create her role as the school’s Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher, but she also developed a comprehensive three-year curriculum. Emily offers self-care courses for educators, a suite of mentorship programs, and consulting services for K-12 schools and organizations looking to establish and offer yoga and mindfulness programs to their communities.A student of life and a dedicated holistic wellness professional, Emily fervently commits herself to personal growth for the benefit of humanity. In her second appearance on the podcast, Emily shares her experience teaching yoga full time both in person and online throughout the pandemic. She offers insights into best practices when communicating with schools about offering yoga, and talks about her "Land You Dream Job Teaching Kids Yoga in Schools" course. She also explains how and what she decides to share on social media and how that is a yoga practice within itself. Engaging, pertinent and so timely, this episode is a must listen for anyone sharing yoga with children.
Megan Erb gets the busyness of life and parenthood. As a full-time working mother of two active little girls, she’s struggled with the balance of work, parenting, finding time for play and finding time for exercise and self-care. Meg has been practicing yoga on and off for 20 years. As a former television and print journalist, crazy schedules, high stress, and intense deadlines dominated her life for far too long. She noticed her young daughter was starting to pick up on her stress and anxiety. And she knew it was time for a change she wanted. Going back to her yoga mat was the answer for both of them. Meg saw the benefits of yoga in her daughter and knew this was the new path she needed to take. In the summer of 2019, Meg became a certified kids yoga teacher through Seattle Kids Yoga launching Kids Yoga with Meg July 2019. Meg has taught kids yoga and mindfulness classes through after school enrichment programs as well as family yoga classes at studios in her West Seattle neighborhood. During the pandemic, she switched gears and offered free weekly, kids yoga and mindfulness classes online for her daughters' school, giving everyone the opportunity to learn and practice skills to help them cope with life during the pandemic. Meg is certified in Tween and Teen Yoga through Flow and Grow Yoga and has completed mindfulness training through Mindful Schools. She also co-facilitated a recent family yoga and mindfulness workshop for Seattle Kids Yoga. Currently, Meg is in the process of completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training through The Traveling Yoga School and will be certified in October. In this conversation, Meg shares why and how she shifted from a 20 year career in journalism, how she integrates yoga in her own home, how she pivoted her new business during the pandemic and her hopes and dreams for the future of Kids Yoga With Meg. Meg's unique story and perspective will leave you feeling inspired. Listen in NOW!
In October 2020 amidst a global pandemic, Adi Strigl discovered a need to share the gift of yoga with kids and opened the first kid's yoga studio in Bucks County, PA called The Yoga Gnome. Adi was first introduced to yoga at the age of 16 in her homeland, Israel. Yoga found her again at the age of 23 and has been her anchor and sanctuary throughout life’s adventures ever since. After serving as an officer in the Israeli army and traveling the world, she met her husband and settled in Bucks County happily with their 5 kids. (3 humans and 2 fur babies). Adi has accumulated many hours of yoga training with many inspiring yogis and has completed a 200-hour certificate twice (because yoga is life), and a 300-hour certificate as well. Additionally, she holds a 95-hour children's yoga certificate with a trauma-informed lens, along with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction background. Adi has a degree in Graphic Design and a passion for music. She strives to bring lightheartedness, thoughtfulness, playfulness, and humor into her classes, and make yoga accessible to all ages and abilities. In this episode, Adi shares the story of her family's cross country journey during the pandemic and how a magical meditation beneath a tree led to the inspiration for The Yoga Gnome. Her humor and lightheartedness are so refreshing. This conversation will leave you giggling, smiling and learning. Listen in NOW!
Jennie Abbot is the Founder and Director of Harmony Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Company, the creator of YogaBREAK for Classrooms, Harmony at Home Kits, various Parenting and Educator Workshops and The My Peaceful Play Game for Kids. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and Registered Children's Yoga Teacher (CYA-CYT) with the Canadian Yoga Alliance teaching over 10,000 children to date. Jennie is the co-creator of the Harmony 95 Hour Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher Training Program through the International Yoga Alliance. Jennie’s offers Workshops for Parents and Educators in partnership with the Institute of Child Psychology. Jennie is also a Color Me Yoga Children's Yoga Teacher Graduate, Rainbow Kids Yoga Certified Instructor, with Specialties in Yoga for the Special Needs, Safe Anatomy for Children and Trauma Informed Yoga for Children and Youth through Yoga Ed. In addition, Jennie has taken Mindfulness Training through Dr. Dan Siegel, Author and Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction training with the Center for Mindfulness. Jennie has worked with children, families, government, non-profit organizations and educators for over 20 years sharing her passion of bringing happiness and peace into the lives of children through yoga and mindfulness. In this conversation, Jennie applies her education in marketing to offer insights into how to effectively market a kids yoga business. She shares common mistakes she sees small businesses making as well as trusted tips to help grow your business. Her knowledge is hugely helpful and important for anyone in any stage of running a business. Listen in NOW and learn!
Tara Shayegan is the Co-Founder of Uphoria Yoga, Vancouver's First Family Yoga Academy. Tara holds multiple certifications including her 200 Hour Adult Certification, 50 hour Rainbow Kids & Family Yoga Teacher Training, 95 hour RCYT with a trauma-informed focus through YogaEd, a 35 hour Postnatal Teacher Training and a 85 hour Prenatal Teacher Training. Tara combines her academic expertise with her love of mindful movement in order to create a positive impact on kids' health and wellness.Her mission is to inspire each of her students to cultivate confidence, creativity and self-love. A true family business, Tara co-founded Uphoria Yoga with her husband before the pandemic began. She shares how they pushed through and kept the business going throughout the pandemic and what her hopes and dreams are for the space as things open back up again. Uphoria Yoga offers prenatal, postnatal, children's yoga, adult and family yoga and truly spans all the needs of busy families. Tara's drive and mission are truly inspiring. Listen in NOW and learn so much!
Nicole Smith is a Registered Nurse and a 200 hr certified yoga teacher who is also certified to teach children's yoga. She is the founder of Be Fly Yoga and offers virtual classes for children, women and families. She loves to share yoga and the many benefits and to provide a safe & comfortable space for her students. With physical practice & meditation, her goal is to help quiet the mind and help others connect with your mind and body. Nicole shares why she started her company during the pandemic, and how her nursing background has helped her to enjoy working with kids and adults alike. She also shares her own personal journey with yoga and some of her favorite experience teaching so far. Listen in NOW!
This week Jessica hops on to share how she passes yoga onto her children. Spoiler alert: it's not by leading them in a traditional yoga class as she would with the kids she teaches professionally! Rather, she tries her best to live her yoga and in turn pass that onto her children. She encourages everyone listening to practice yoga themselves (whether that be through breathing, meditation, mindfulness or physical practice) because it helps bring access to the peaceful place within. Returning to this inner peaceful place over and over again is the most important thing we can do for the children in our lives.
Incia Palmieri has been teaching yoga to kids and families for 5 years across studios, communities and schools. She formerly owned a Kids Yoga studio in Toronto and is the owner and founder of Once Upon a Mat; bringing yoga, storytelling, relaxation and fun through movement and mindfulness to kids! She has a Kids Yoga Teacher Training program, offers Yoga and Mindfulness training to educators, has developed a mindfulness curriculum program called Once Upon a Rainbow, a toddler program called Calm Me and has developed a set of affirmation cards for boys. Incia shares her journey from studio owner to pivoting her business model and how she's created innovative programs in the kids yoga industry. Listen in NOW!
Susan Verde is a New York Times Bestselling author whose books capture and celebrate the unique experience of children. Her titles include, The Museum, The Water Princess, Rock N roll Soul and Hey, Wall a Story of Art and Community and Unstoppable Me. Her instant #1 New York Times bestseller I Am Human: A Book of Empathy is part of a bestselling series including I Am Yoga and I Am Peace and I Am Love: A Book of Compassion and I Am One: A Book of Action. Her most recent books are a series of “Feel-Good Fairytales" include The Three Little Yogis and the Wolf who Lost His Breath as well as the newest, The Tossy Turny Princess and the Pesky Pea and the upcoming I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience. Susan’s books continue to inspire children, educators, yoga practitioners and mindful humans alike helping to cultivate empathy and kindness in all of us. In addition to writing, Susan teaches yoga and mindfulness to kids of all ages. In this episode, she generously shares her wisdom as an author, teacher and mother and offers insight into how the writing process works and how we can introduce mindfulness and yoga to children through literature. Listen in NOW and learn so much!
Jesse Bennett is a children’s author & illustrator , mom of two, and a Pilates and Yoga instructor. Jesse has written three children’s books The Yoga House , Sunshine and most recently Lift. Each book explores themes of kindness and mindfulness. Jesse has spent this past year zooming into classrooms reading her books and writing her fourth book. She loves sharing the message of kindness with kids and inspiring students that they can write books too! Listen in and learn so much from this genuine, kind and generous human!
Her second time on the podcast, Betty Larrea is the founder of Be Yoga Be Love and provides her yoga and arts curriculum, author visits, enrichment programs, staff development training, and events for children, families and educators in schools, libraries, bookstores, and yoga studios throughout the country. Betty is also a book doula who offers mentoring for aspiring children’s book authors. In addition to sharing her expertise in her field, Betty and Jessica get real and talk about their experiences of motherhood. They openly share their expectations versus realities of parenting, and their biggest triggers and how they handle them in the moment and afterwords. They hope that this honest and raw conversation helps other parents out there realize they are not alone. Parenting in hard AND amazing and we are all in it together. Listen in NOW!
Kristi Fischer has been in the fitness industry for most of her life, and after having her sons started offering fitness classes for children in the Seattle area. After completing her kids yoga certification with Kidding Around Yoga, she began sharing yoga with children full time in her community. Kristi is now the licensee director of Kidding Around Yoga and part of the EduKAY professional development team. She works to get yoga into schools by leading workshops in how to incorporate yoga into the classroom for teachers. Kristi shares her own journey with yoga, why she pivoted her career to focus on kids yoga and what her hopes and dreams are for making yoga a regular part of school curriculums. A lovely person and bright light to learn from, listen in now!
This week, Jessica is joined for the second time by author and kids yoga teacher, Susan Rose. Susan just finished up writing her second kids yoga themed children's book, the first of a series chronicling different children's experiences with yoga in PE class. She shares what she's learned between writing her first and second books, offers some advice on how to stay committed to your writing journey through finding community and shares practical ways for teachers to incorporate yoga into their classroom. Listen in now and learn lots!
This week Jessica chatted with the talented team that co-created a 95 Kids Yoga Teacher Training for Pranakriya Yoga. They share the history of Pranakriya Yoga and the philosophy behind it. They also talk about the process of creating a program and finding the flow of working together. They share how they pivoted the training to being online during the pandemic and how each section of the training can stand on its own and add to your adult yoga training. It's an inspiration to learn about a successful collaboration in the kids yoga world. Listen in NOW!
Jacalyn Warshauer is the Founder of Wild Type Learning. She shares the many benefits of allowing children to connect with nature and how we can nurture this connection in meaningful ways. She shares her fascinating journey towards founding Wild Type Acres, the land that she and her husband purchased and built a log cabin home on where they now live with their 2 young boys. Jacalyn reminds us about the importance of slowing down, existing as we are are, and reconnecting to ourselves. Listen in now and feel grounded and inspired!
This week Host of the KYP, Jessica Mougis, tackles a few more listener questions. What are the benefits of kids yoga? What age can kids begin practicing yoga? And, what do you wish parents knew about kids yoga? The answers to all these questions will help you pitch kids yoga classes to schools and studios! In addition, Jessica shares a helpful question to ask the children in your life to help them integrate mindful body awareness into their day to day lives. Listen in now!
This week Host of the KYP, Jessica Mougis, dives into three listener questions. Gathering from her 12 years of kids yoga experience and the knowledge she's gained from interviews with almost 50 kids yoga professionals she tackles the questions: How do I choose a kids yoga teacher training? Do I have what it takes to be a kids yoga teacher? And, how do you balance running your podcast and your household while raising two children during a global pandemic? Listen in now! Join our Patreon community for added benefits: https://www.patreon.com/thekidsyogapodcast
Lara Hocheiser is the Owner of Flow & Grow Kids Yoga and the author of the new book, “Mindfulness for Beginners: Mindful Moments to Bring Clarity and Calm to Your Morning, Day, and Night.” She is also the author of the My Yoga Workbook series. In this episode, Lara applies yoga philosophy to how to ethically run a kids yoga business. She also explains the difference between being an independent contractor and being an employee, and what her over decade long experience in the industry has taught her. Releasing on 5/11/21, you can preorder Lara's new book on Amazon NOW!
Francesca Kastelanides is the Owner of Beam Academy an online platform that works with over 100 schools in London and offers trainings. She began her career in PR and Event Management and later received her degree in Special Education. She is trained in Ashtanga, yoga for the special child, yoga for children, aqua yoga, Mandala yoga, Yin yoga and Mindfulness. She discusses her experience running a kids yoga franchise, tips for working with tweens and how she began a business during the pandemic.
Kelly Winkler, Host of Mindful Moments for Families & Schools, joins Jessica for a conversation about podcasting. They discuss why and how they started, the specific steps they took to begin, the biggest challenges they've encountered and the greatest rewards they've received. Both women share how they dove head first into the podcasting space and offer some key knowledge they've gathered along the way. If you've been thinking of taking the leap into podcasting, this is the episode for you!
James Woods (@datyogadude) has a passion for sharing the tools he has learned on his personal journey to wellness. He has a degree in marriage and family therapy, is a registered yoga teacher, speaker, mentor, author, organizer, teacher and active community member. He is president of FEEL FREE 2 FEEL FREE a health and wellness organization that provides wellness programs and services. James gets candid about his personal yoga journey and how he now shares those tools with black boys and educators. His perspective is important and must be heard! Listen now.
Kate Murphy is the Owner of Nanda Yoga Fort Worth, and Reigan Williams is an instructor at the studio. The women talk about their own yoga journeys as well as the kids yoga scene in Fort Worth. Kate also tells the story of how Nanda Yoga opened just weeks before the global pandemic was declared. She also shares how she creates a healthy work environment within her small business, and what makes Nanda Yoga so unique. Listen in now!
Dr. Sandy Zanella is a mom of 2, a physician by training and a kids yoga teacher. She is the author and creator of “Happy Yogis”, a colorful pose by pose book inspired by her kids. She wants to encourage children to love and accept themselves as they are and dreams about helping families thrive and find joy together. As a hobby she is a content creator and loves sharing about her motherhood journey and how to integrate yoga and mindfulness throughout the day with children (@mymindfulmomlife). Listen in now!
Crystal McCreary is a Lead Yoga, Mindfulness and Health Educator & Teacher Trainer with 13+ years of experience in instructing yoga and mindfulness to people of all ages. She facilitates trainings for organizations that aim to support the social and emotional wellbeing of youth and adults, and currently works full-time in the Health Department at an independent school in NYC. Crystal is also the author of the Little Yogi Deck which focuses on emotional intelligence and guides children towards creating a home practice. In this episode, Crystal shares what it means to embody social justice, and why when we prioritize our own healing (by using the technology of yoga) we can create lasting change in the world. She also offers gem after gem of wisdom. Jessica left this interview so fired up she had to go for a brisk walk! Listen in NOW.
EPISODE REPLAY! This podcast was originally released October 15, 2020 and is one of my all time favorites. We hear from children around the world as they share their advice for how to best take care of ourselves during these trying times. This episode is a treasure chest of gems directly from kids! Kids hold important wisdom, and it's important that we listen. Listen in as kids of all ages share their ideas which include singing, playing legos, juggling, doing yoga, calling cousins, fixing our faces, dangly earrings, and so much more. Listen in and learn from our children- they've got a lot to say.
Daniel Olcsvary has been an Early Childhood Educator for eighteen years, making a positive impact on hundreds of students throughout that time. Known throughout the school as “Mr. O,” Daniel realized that inspiring the youth was part of his life’s mission. Daniel is also a behavioral specialist providing in home services for children with different behavioral challenges. Daniel shares the inspiration behind his new children's book "Max the Magnet: A Shift From Negative to Positive" and why he founded his own publishing company, Mind Write Publishing. He also shares his thoughts "toxic positivity" and why it's important to help children honor all their feelings and emotions in order for healthy development. A truly fresh take on introducing mindfulness to children, LISTEN NOW.
Lauren Buckles is a mom and certified yoga teacher for both children and adults who has been in the field for a decade. Lauren shares how she creates a safe space in her classes through a trauma-informed lens, and how she wants to empower children not exert power. She also discusses Katonah Yoga and why she began her new online space Nestful. Lauren also generously shares what it was like to have her first baby two days before the pandemic was declared! A highly interesting and informative episode. Listen NOW.
SonJoria Sydnor returns for the second time to share her experience as the author of "Our Family's Doing Yoga." She talks about how her family is working together to expand representation of black children in yoga. What was once a book idea, has now developed into social media platforms, a Youtube Channel and a Black Kids Yoga Club! SonJoria also shares how and why she conquered her fear of homeschooling her three children this year, and how she's taking care of herself in a time when it's almost impossible to do so. Always a delight and inspiration, listen in NOW!
Abigail Wilber is an educator, public speaker, and coach. She wants to make mindfulness inclusive, adaptive and relevant to all ages. Abigail loves teaching kids life skills like how to calm down, pay attention, and problem solve. She shares her experience teaching yoga to large groups of teenagers and how she approaches special needs classes. She also sheds light on some red flags to look for when it comes to navigating the business of kids yoga. A shining gem for kids yoga teachers. Listen now!
Poleen Kaur Sahni, Founder of Yoga plus kids, is a certified yoga instructor based in Mumbai, India. As a young mum and a homemaker in an Indian traditional family, simply watching her daughter enjoy basic natural stretches at home, she felt inspired to pursue a career in yoga. Even though India is the birth place of yoga, kids yoga is currently a largely untapped market. Poleen shares more about this, and how yoga is a lifestyle not just a physical practice. She talks through the Yamas & Niyamas and explains how we can impart these onto our children. Such an important episode! Listen in now!
Born in England, Alison Drake has been living in Hong Kong for 13 and a half years. She is a former primary school teacher who left school teaching in Summer 2018 to set up her own yoga business “OmSkool Yoga”, offering yoga and mindfulness classes to children and teenagers all over Hong Kong. Her dream is for yoga and mindfulness to be included on school curriculums around the world. In addition to sharing how and why she began her own business, Alison shares how she has incorporated her Yin Yoga training into teen classes and why she thinks we should offer Kids Yoga for Adults! Listen in now and learn so much from this wonderful, inspiring human!
Mr Chazz's mission in life is to enjoy the process of becoming the best version of himself and helping others to do the same. He is an Educational Specialist who, “teaches teachers to teach” in a chain of Child Development Centers. He closely works with 9 different schools, 100s of teachers and 1,000s of children. Mr Chazz's ability to see things from the child's perspective and translate that to adults is a true treasure. This episode is a MUST LISTEN for parents, teachers and kids yoga educators looking for a fresh perspective. Check out The KYP in the number 1 spot on Feedspot's Top 15 Kids Yoga Podcasts: https://blog.feedspot.com/kids_yoga_podcasts/
In this short episode, host Jessica Mougis hops on for a quick reflection on this inaugural year of the podcast. Whether a parent hoping to share yoga with their children, a new kids yoga educator or a seasoned kids yoga professional- Jessica is amazed at what this community has become. Thank you all for being here and listening- and here's to the future!
Emily Fleming is a yoga teacher and educator currently in her fourth year teaching yoga full time for a middle school in Baltimore, MD. Emily knows the in’s and out’s of manifesting a position teaching yoga in schools, and creating curriculum and a strong classroom culture from her over 9 years experience in the classroom. She shares how she got to where she is and how she's hoping to bring yoga into more schools as a part of their core curriculum. Listen in now to learn about her inspiring work!
Shawnee Thornton Hardy is a Founder of Asanas for Autism & Special Needs. She has worked with children and adults with autism, ADHD, developmental disabilities, trauma backgrounds behavior challenges and other complex needs for over 25 years. Shawnee is also completing her Advanced Level Somatic Experiencing Practitioner training this year and is a Yoga Therapist. Her wealth of experience sharing yoga with diverse populations is an incredibly important perspective for all those working in the yoga world. Listen in now!
Jennifer Cohen Harper is a yoga and mindfulness educator, author, public speaker, and mother. As the founder of Little Flower Yoga Jennifer brings embodied mindfulness programing and education to schools and community organizations nationwide. Jennifer shares how she started Little Flower Yoga, the thought processes behind her adult and children's books, and powerful advice for those parenting during the pandemic. Her grounding and validating perspective make the episode a must listen!
Lauren Chaitoff and host Jessica Mougis, have an honest conversation about their decade long relationship within the kids yoga industry. They get vulnerable sharing their friendship story's ups and downs and why they believe it's important for women to support one another. They hope sharing a conversation like this will normalize women communicating honestly, openly and respectfully with each other. Let's elevate each other and own our value together. Listen in NOW!
Lizzie Assa is the founder of The Workspace For Children a popular Instagram page and blog offering creative ways to connect with our children. Lizzie's perspective on parenting and play is very aligned with yoga, and her advice, courses and e-books have helped thousands of parents lessen burn out and gain support. Listen in and learn priceless tips on how you can nurture play in your home, classroom or kids yoga classes.
Cynthia Zak is a journalist, yoga enthusiast, musician, author, and entrepreneur from Argentina. She has shared yoga with children of every religion, race, age, and income bracket for over 15 years in Miami. She is a pioneer in leading Kids Yoga trainings for hundreds of Spanish speaking people from all over the world and a Founder of Yomu. Her beautiful music, enthusiasm for making yoga accessible to all, and generosity in sharing her insight is a true gift. Listen in and learn from the best!
Margot Harris, Founder of Calm Cookie Kids Yoga, returns to the podcast for a second time to discuss her new book, "Cookie Doughga: A book about yoga, mindfulness & cookies!" Margot shares how and why she self-published her own children's book and how she's altered her kids yoga classes during the pandemic. Listen in to hear an honest, open and informative conversation about pushing past doubt and following your dreams!
Rashmi Bismark is a new kids book author of the award winning book, "Finding Om." She is a physician by training, specializing in Preventative Medicine and Public Health. Rashmi shares her experience of studying Ayurveda with her great Uncle in India, why she wrote her book and why representation in children's literature is so important. Rashmi also shares her personal journey with yoga, and how she has brought that to her own children. Rashmi's voice is more important now than ever. Listen in and learn!
Susan Rose is a Certified YogaKids Teacher, and an E-500 and RCYT through Yoga Alliance. She has taught dance, gymnastics and yoga to children for over 40 years. She has an MA in Physical Education and taught PE for 17 years. Susan has wonderful insight into how and why PE teachers can integrate yoga into their classes. Susan is also the author of the upcoming children's kids yoga book "Let's Make a Rainbow" due out this year. She talks through step by step how she self-published. Listen in now!
This week we hear from children around the world as they share their advice for how to best take care of ourselves during these trying times. This episode is a treasure chest of gems directly from kids! Kids hold important wisdom, and it's important that we listen. Listen in as kids of all ages share their ideas which include singing, playing legos, juggling, doing yoga, calling cousins, fixing our faces, dangly earrings, and so much more. Listen in and learn from our children- they've got a lot to say.
Courtney James is the owner of HOMIES Yoga and author of the upcoming “Until I Found Yoga.” Formally a supervisor at a residential group home, she loves working with children and families that have suffered from abuse/neglect, domestic violence, homelessness etc. and introducing them to new ways to enjoying life. As a survivor of child abuse, she's taken a vow to dedicate her life to ensuring children never feel like prisoners of their past. Full of laughs & revelations, this conversation is a must listen!
Laura McEgan is the Founder of Divine Light Yoga. Her unique experience leading Children's Yoga Teacher Trainings around the Globe and online offers a rich perspective on kids yoga. As someone who contracted and recovered from Covid-19, Laura discusses how she translated her experience into a free Recovery Toolkit for families. She also talks through the steps she took to create her Yoga Alliance certified 95 Hour Kids Yoga Training. Listen in now and feel your world grow and expand! https://www.divine-light-yoga.com/
Mary Wallin is a Madison, WI based kids yoga teacher. She is a passionate individual with interests ranging from theatre to the outdoors, from teaching to living mindfully. She is passionate about the arts and music, and she loves to share food, ideas, and laughter with those around her. In this episode she shares how she inspires children to incorporate yoga outside of yoga class and how we can find moments of mindfulness throughout our day. Mary is grounded, kind and wise. Listen in now!
Kelly Winkler’s mission is to spread as much kids yoga as possible! After her daughter led her to find yoga, Kelly quickly learned how much of a positive impact yoga can have on both kids and adults. This led her to train extensively with Kidding Around Yoga as both a kids yoga teacher and teacher trainer. Kelly also hosts a podcast called Mindful Moments for Families & Schools to provide short digestible tips on how to incorporate yoga into people’s daily routines. A true inspiration in the kids yoga world- listen in NOW!
Vaani Kaur is a high school teacher, kids yoga teacher and activist based in London. Vaani shares how cultural appropriation shows up in Western yoga and how kids yoga teachers can help children understand Yoga’s roots. She offers practical ways we can teach anti-racism to children, and shares her perspective on how we can do our part in helping the wellness industry include ALL people and body types. Poignant and important, this conversation is a must listen for all kids yoga teachers and parents!
This week Jessica is joined by Sara Weis, Founder of Go Go Yoga for Kids. They discuss how a running injury led Sara to yoga and how she became inspired to teach kids yoga and start her own company. She shares how her perspective as a mother and teacher gave her further inspiration to author Go Go Yoga for Kids books, a deck of yoga pose cards, and a yoga challenge app. Sara has taught thousands of children and led teacher trainings for adults. Listen in now for some inspiration!
In this bonus episode, Jessica hops on to talk about how the podcast has grown and evolved over the past few months. She explains why she started the podcast and how she dreams it will be a place for ALL kids yoga educators to gather and share with each. Jessica believes there can never be enough kids yoga, and that our calling as kids yoga educators is an important one that can truly help change the world for our children. Listen in to hear more!
This week Jessica is joined by Kristi Coppa, the Founder of Wondergrade. The women discuss how kids yoga helped Kristi's daughter manage her anxiety and how that transformed her own life as well. She also shares how that journey led her to start her own company. In addition, Kristi offers insightful advice on how to implement self-care during these hard times. Listen in now!
In their second episode together (check our Episode 6 for the first!) Jessica & Lara discuss how Lara has pivoted her business, Flow & Grow Kids Yoga during this global pandemic. She offers practical advice on how other kids yoga business owners can adapt to the times. Lara also shares the inspiration for an exciting new FREE resource she is offering called Self-Care Saturday. Visit to sign up.
This week Jessica is joined by Cné Hamilton, owner of Bee Mindful Kids Yoga in South Florida. They discuss how seeing Michelle Obama speak inspired Cné to conquer her doubts about leaving corporate America and found her own business. She also shares how each of her children has embraced yoga, and how she's creatively adjusted her classes during the pandemic (hint: curated yoga boxes of props have helped!) Cné's warm, welcoming and positive energy is truly heartening! Listen NOW.
This week Jessica chats with Sabrina Merchant, a Mumbai, India based kids yoga teacher and owner of Lil Yogis. They discuss Sabrina's path to leaving her corporate job to founding her own kids yoga business and how her daughter inspired the change. She also shares key ideas to keep in mind to honor the tradition of yoga while sharing it with children. Sabrina's warmth and generosity will leave you feeling inspired; you'll want to go and teach right away!
This week Jessica is joined by Joseph Hamer and Hayley Peter authors of the new book, "Brain Awakes: Empowering Children Through Breath, Balance & Reflection." They discuss how they co-wrote and published a timely book during a global pandemic. They offer creative insight into how yoga and mindfulness for children can enhance social-emotional skills. Listen in for an incredible story and powerful ideas!
Jessica talks with Mimi Felton, a kids yoga business owner (Mimi's Yoga Kids) from Atlanta, GA. They discuss how Mimi found kids yoga when her grandson spontaneously joined her on her mat. She shares how she started her own kids yoga business and left her full time job. Mimi also explains how she's adapted her business in the time of Covid, and offers powerful wisdom on how she's caring for herself during these emotionally heightened times. Mimi's passion, joy and enthusiasm are electric! Listen in now.
This week Jessica talks with Sarah Casper (she/her) kids yoga teacher and Founder of Comprehensive Consent (), a company dedicated to helping children develop their boundary-setting and consent-conversation skills. The women discuss Sarah's journey of switching from a focus on clinical psychology to the path of kids yoga, and how she ultimately founded her company. Sarah's unique viewpoint on how we can teach children valuable skills now so they are prepared for healthy relationships as teenagers and adults is groundbreaking and so important. Listen in now!
This week Jessica is joined by Dale Wells-Marshall (@star_inspired, www.starinspiredinc.com). They discuss sharing mindfulness and yoga with children in the Bahamas, how she self-published her children's book, and what her Mindful Mothering and after-school kids yoga classes look like. She also explains how she's caring for herself in our current world state. Dale's wisdom, calming presence and grounded perspective feel like a breath of fresh air. Listen in now!
Join Jessica and her daughter Emily as they lead your children through part two of an exciting rainbow yoga adventure! Grown ups, take a listen too; you'll get a dose of creative inspiration. We take our hot air balloon to visit the ocean, see a butterfly, and even discover a hidden treasure! Special thanks to Timothy Noe for the original music. Sponsored by Flow and Grow Kids Yoga. Use code KYP2020 at www.flowandgrowkidsyoga.com to receive 10% off their next teacher training.
This week Jessica talks with SonJoria Sydnor, St. Louis based kids yoga teacher and author of the soon to be released children's book "Our Family's Doing Yoga." SonJoria opens up about her experience as a mother, nonprofit founder (I AM Breastfeeding) and black woman in this world. She generously shares how she talks with her children about race, and offers insight into how to encourage children to start practicing yoga at home. Listen in and prepare to be inspired!
This week’s episode was made especially for the kids in your life. Join Jessica and her daughter Emily as they lead your children through part one of an exciting rainbow adventure. Grown ups, listen in as well to get some creative inspiration and hear how a kids yoga journey unfolds. Now, hop on your airplane and let’s fly to the rainbow! Special thanks to Timothy Noe for the original music. ReplyForward
Jessica is joined by Megan Snider, Founder of Appleseed Yoga in Toronto. The women discuss Megan's journey from the corporate world to founding one of the first kids yoga programs in her area. She describes how she quickly adapted her business for our current times and generously shares her experience as a working mom during Covid. Megan is warm, articulate and wise and offers a wonderful perspective. Listen in now!
Certified yoga teachers & Count Me In Podcast hosts Carly and Hannah Engelke join for a yoga-themed discussion on child development and how to best serve children in our current reality. Carly, a full time children’s dance teacher, leads us on her over 15 year journey working with children and shares how she’s translated her kids classes online. Hannah, a Montessori guide, shares her journey and blends in Montessori wisdom to offer a unique viewpoint on approaching online learning. Tune in and be inspired!
In this time of having our lives put on pause, Jessica guides you through some questions to ponder regarding your voice as a kids yoga teacher. What is it about kids yoga that makes your heart sing? What are your unique strengths and talents? How can you turn your "negative" traits into your superhero powers? Jessica tackles all of these questions and more. For those of you looking for a reboot and fresh inspiration in your kids yoga teaching, listen in now!
This week Jessica shares a few moments of her quarantine story thus far. She talks about some habits she has found to help lift her spirits and be more present for herself and her children. Not just for parents, this episode is for anyone looking to feel less alone in this very trying time.
Jessica is joined by Sage Caprice Abowitt, Brooklyn-based certified yoga instructor, birth doula, and childbirth educator. The women discuss how Caprice has adjusted her kids yoga classes during our current global pandemic, some tips for teaching yoga to teens, how she created her own kids yoga teacher training, and how her love of kids yoga and prenatal yoga align. Caprice's warmth, passion and love of children shine through in this fun and informative conversation. Listen in and feel good!
Jessica is joined by dream guest, Jodi Golda Komitor. Jodi Golda founded Next Generation Yoga (the first kids yoga studio in the world) and operated the business for 21 years. Jodi Golda also founded the Biz of Kids Yoga, a mentorship program for kids yoga teachers. She shares her pioneering kids yoga journey and offers invaluable insight on running a kids yoga business from hiring teachers, to scaling her business, to shifting her business model. A MUST listen for any kids yoga teacher!
Jessica is joined by Margot Harris (Calm Cookie Kids Yoga). They discuss how Margot made the transition from classroom teacher to kids yoga teacher, and how she translated her early childhood knowledge into serving all ages. The women discuss the current global pandemic and how they’re dealing with it personally and within kids yoga. Margot also shares some useful tips for how to create virtual kids yoga classes. This fun and validating conversation can be a welcome break from the current state of our world.
This week Jessica talks with Betty Larrea (Founder of Be Yoga Be Love and kids yoga teacher for 19 years). Recorded pre-coronavirus, this light-hearted chat covers how kids yoga has grown and developed in the past two decades, how Betty's Mindful Play program came about, and the steps she took to publish her book, "Lucinda's Magical Yoga Adventure." Come listen, learn and enjoy!
This week Jessica shares her experience dealing with the current global pandemic. She talks about how being gentle with ourselves and letting go of all the “shoulds” can benefit both us and our children. The episode ends with the inspirational sound Jessica captured of NYC cheering for all essential workers out there risking their lives everyday. Listen in for a few moments of calm.
This week Jessica is thrilled to talk with her kids yoga mentor, Lauren Chaitoff of Yogi Beans. Lauren is dynamic, funny and a breath of fresh air. She talks about the hustle of starting her own thriving kids yoga business in NYC over 13 years ago and what she’s learned along the way. The women also discuss classroom management, finding compassion for yourself and your students, and what to look for in a kids yoga teacher training. In these hard times, we hope you'll leave this episode feeling inspired.
Jessica hops on this week to lend support during this unprecedented time. Her daughter Emily joins for the first few minutes and offers lots of laughs, then Jessica shares her personal thoughts on how yoga can help guide us through these scary times. She offers a few kids yoga resources and ends with an inspiration children's book called "Maybe" by Kobi Yamada.
This week Jessica shares how parents, teachers and caregivers can integrate kids yoga throughout the day in their home or classroom. She first offers tips on how caregivers can practice yoga for themselves in small, manageable doses. She then gives fun and informal mini kids yoga lessons that can be sprinkled in throughout the day. You don’t need a yoga mat, yoga pants or any formal training to share yoga with children! Listen in and find out how.
Join Jessica as she reflects on a recent after school yoga class for kindergarteners. She shares how she interacted with the children, how she structured her class and five lessons she learned along the way. If you're interested in teaching after school yoga (or already do), this episode will provide some helpful pointers on how to approach this particular environment in the most effective way.
Join Jessica as she talks with Flow and Grow Kids Yoga Founder, Lara Hocheiser. Lara has been fully immersed in the kids yoga field for over a decade, and generously shares the wisdom she’s gathered along the way. She and Jessica discuss how in creating her own unique pathway she has come to a place of confidence and contentment in her career. Her openness and many nuggets of wisdom will no doubt leave you feeling inspired! Insta: @flowandgrowyoga FB:
In this episode, Jessica gives some helpful insights on how to teach yoga poses to children. She offers key concepts to keep in mind, how to present poses in a developmentally appropriate way, and talks through a "mini class" in which she uses a sample theme and talks through exactly how she'd explain it to children. This episode is great for beginners looking for a framework for how to teach poses to children, and a great spark of creativity to those already teaching!
In this episode, Jessica discusses how to teach breath control (pranayama) to babies and children. First, she sets some guidelines on how to teach breathing exercises safely and effectively in a kids yoga environment. Then, she focuses on a few age groups- babies, toddlers, preschoolers, school age, and tweens/teens and gives a developmentally appropriate breathing exercise for each age group. This episode is great for beginners and more experienced kids yoga teachers. Come gain some creative inspiration! Resources- Susan Kaiser Greenland: Meddy Teddy:
In the first of the "Kids Yoga Perspective" episodes where Jessica interviews professionals in the field, we are joined by NYC kids yoga teacher, Marissa Goulbourne. Jessica and Marissa discuss how Marissa got into teaching kids yoga, how she handles discipline in her classes, and how yoga at home with her daughter differs from her kids yoga classes. They also touch on challenges that may come up when teaching and how best to handle them in the moment. Marissa is insightful and thoughtful and offers so many helpful words of wisdom. Tune in and be inspired!
In this episode, Jessica explains the eight limbs of yoga and how they can each be applied in a kids yoga environment. This is a great intro to yoga for anyone who is new to the practice or a light-hearted review for more seasoned yogis. Listen in for some helpful beginner tips on how the practice of yoga can translate into a fun activity for children. Books Referenced: "The Mindful Child" Susan Kaiser Greenland "Planting Seeds" Thich Nhat Hanh
In this inaugural episode host Jessica Mougis talks about her background as a kids yoga teacher, what kids yoga is exactly, and what to expect on future episodes. If you're interested in yoga for children, you're in the right place!