Rise and Shine Yoga

Session 2 of Rise and Shine Yoga starts next week, April 4th at 7:15 a.m. Click here to sign up!

Rise and Shine Yoga

On-line registration for session two of Rise and Shine Yoga will begin on Thursday March 24th. Session two will begin on Monday April, 4th at 7:15 a.m. Click here for more details.

Rise and Shine Yoga

Today was our last yoga class, can you believe 8 weeks have gone by? It was a great last class, especially since the state MCAS testing starts this week. It was a great way to get centered and relaxed before the stress of the testing begins. My final words to everyone were, "Use your yoga!"

Over the past 8 weeks, we have warmed up with many different exercises, been introduced to no less than 45 different poses, relaxed deeply, meditated, played many yoga games and most importantly learned how to be in our breath awareness. For our last class, I titled our set "Strike a Pose!" Using the results of the survey the children took last week regarding their favorite asanas, I developed a set of 14 poses that had a very gentle flow and rhythm. The overall favorite pose was candlestick! After we meditated, everyone got a chance to have their picture taken in their favorite pose. Be looking for these pictures in the Asanas and Mudras gadget on this blog. We also did some impromptu videos which had everyone laughing. I believe Nolan even said "take 23," at one point. Check out the videos to hear what some of the young yogis had to say about their experiences.I love that Nolan said "Yoga releases the tension." So true! Thank you so much for sharing your children with me on Monday mornings for the past eight weeks. Your dedication in getting them to school early for their yoga practice is a wonderful testament to the value you place on their well being. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible for session 2, which will be starting soon. The paperwork will go home this week and on-line sign ups start on the 24th!

Don't forget, use your yoga!

Fondly,

Mrs. W

Asanas and Mudras-Archives

Here is Ryan in the Warrior Pose. This pose works on balance and focus and ENERGIZES you!

Quote of the Week-Archives

"Children are big souls in little bodies." Shakta Khalsa .



This quote really speaks to the heart of the yoga experience for kids. When I watch the children mediatate, try a new pose, or really get into a deep relaxation, and then leave Yoga with GREAT BIG SMILES, I know that their cares and feelings are so much like ours. As a classroom teacher, when children tell me about their lives and families, the joys and sorrows, I am reminded of this quote and how it rings true for me every single day. I am so blessed to work with kids!

Rise and Shine Yoga

While driving to school this morning, I watched the sun rise. At first it was just a horizontal streak of light, which then widened into the most beautiful white and golden hues that I will not forget for a long time. I thought to myself, "What a glorious sight, and I am so lucky to be sharing it with young people who are keeping up with yoga!" I was totally impressed with the number of young yogis who made it in for a 7:15 class, even though it felt like 6:15! Way to go!

We had one of the most peaceful and relaxing classes yet. We started by tuning in and warming up. The warm up included a new exercise called the bundle roll, which stimulates and relaxes the body and everyone loved it. Then we moved into our first ever kriya. We learned that a kriya is a set of exercises that work toward a particular goal. Today's kriya was for Self Adjustment of the Spine. This kriya included the tree pose, crow squats, butt bounce (a particular favorite), side stretches and finished with relaxing in Corpse pose. We listened to the gong for relaxation and then did the Sa Ta Na Ma meditation. This meditation is good for getting rid of all the garbage in your head, even the "stuff" you aren't aware of. We meditated for 3 minutes! When we were done everyone was so mellow. We played the "lap circle" game-sorry there aren't any pictures, I had too much fun participating with the group! I know that everyone stayed pretty mellow throughout the day, I certainly did! I even heard about the meditation from some teachers! Good job living your yoga practice and sharing it with the important people in your lives!

Did you know that in 7 short weeks we have learned 40 different yoga poses/exercises? All of the students took a survey at the end of class to indicate their 5 favorite poses. I am going to work the favorites into a yoga story for next week, our last week together. If you didn't get a chance to take the survey, stop by to room 23 to fill one out because I would really love everyone's input.

Be on the lookout for paperwork coming home regarding the second session of Rise and Shine Yoga. It should be out soon!

As always, thanks for sharing your children with me!

Mrs. W

Younger Yogis

Dear Parents,
What a great time we have had on Monday mornings practicing yoga and settling in to a new week at school. There will be a second session of Rise and Shine Yoga, beginning at the end of March. Be on the lookout for the paperwork to be coming home in the next few weeks.
Also, check out Shakta's blog and website. There are so many interesting posts and lots of helpful information for parents. You might even stumble upon a few familiar faces!
If you come across any great websites or blogs devoted to yoga, pass them along!
I am constantly adding and updating my yoga resources, so check back for frequent updates.
You may even want to consider taking a yoga class for yourself, you never know! The Ashram is just down the street!
Mrs. Williams

Rise and Shine Yoga

Week six was all about famous people who do yoga! After tuning in and warming up, we read Peaceful Piggy Yoga by Kerry Lee MacLean. We learned that some of our favorite athletes, like Shaq, Kevin Garnett and Tim Thomas all do yoga! Did you know that LeBron James has a daily yoga practice? The Ottawa Senators and the Philadelphia Eagles all do yoga. Even actors and entertainers do yoga, like Meg Ryan, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Aniston and the cast of Cirque de Soleil. At the end of the book, there is a yoga set with some new poses. Here are pictures of some of the new poses that we learned like candlestick and full lotus. Don't the guys look like fierce warriors? We even tried a new meditation after deep relaxation. Our meditation was for getting rid of unwanted thoughts. Ask your young yogi to show you how it goes. At the end of class we played the bell game. The video shows a quick clip from the game. I need to get a better bell! Next week we will do our first kriya, I am so excited!
Thanks for sharing your children with me.

Mrs. Williams

Quote of the Week

"Maintain your meditative equilibrium." Guruatma Kaur Khalsa

I love this quote. Whenever I start to feel unbalanced, or moving away from my center, I think of when Guruatma said this and how "right on," she was. It always helps me refocus.

Asanas and Mudras-Archives

Double Lotus Pose-Here are Shae and Maddie in the Double Lotus Flower. This pose gives you balance and radiance!

Video Demo

Watch Brenna and Emily demonstrate partner yoga! In the first video, the young yogis get into double boat pose and use their muscles to see saw back and forth before coming to a resting prayer pose. In the second video, the young yogis demonstrate the double lotus pose and see saw back forth, which they admit is much harder to do than when in double boat. Way to go girls, you sure make partner yoga look like fun!