The incredible Hala Khouri is our guest in this episode of the Yoga In My School podcast. Hala brings her extensive expertise in somatic experiencing, psychology, social justice, movement, and mindfulness as we discuss trauma informed parenting. Discover parenting with curiosity and awareness of our own conditioning so we can be more sensitive to the complex reality of raising another human being. Highlights include 1:10 Who is Hala Khouri? 4:45 Theory vs Reality of Parenting 7:08 Parenting in C...
Nov 10, 2022•32 min
Lately there has been a huge increase in interest regarding breath work and exercises for kids and teens. In this episode Donna Freeman, founder of Yoga In My School, shares some amazing information about the benefits of breath work/ pranayama for calming emotions, balancing the brain, stimulating energy, improving focus, and much more. Find Pranayama for Kids and Teens booklet here Watch Pranayama for Kids Playlist on YouTube Study with Donna and become a Registered Children's Yoga Teacher (RCY...
Oct 05, 2022•12 min
In this episode Donna chats with Ashley Fontes, founder of Read and Yoga , a Mom, author, and yogi who combines her loves to share the joy and benefits of yoga with children. Ashley's neurodivergent children have inspired her to combine beloved children's books with movement to provide them with life skills of literacy and self regulation. She is real, raw, and an amazing example of doing your best and exceling amidst the busyness of life. Highlights: 3:01 Hello Ashley Fontes 4:11 Importance of ...
Jun 24, 2022•30 min
Sarah Henderson is an expert on yoga for everyone, especially yoga for those outside the norm. Come along in this episode of the Yoga In My School podcast to explore yoga for individuals with developmental delays and disabilities. Discover the beauty of accessible yoga and see the many ways to adapt and expand the practice of yoga to empower and enable all people. Highlights 1:32 Welcome Sarah Henderson 6:42 Overriding Principles when teaching individuals w disabilities and delays 12:50 Presence...
Apr 25, 2022•40 min
In honor of Autism Awareness Month we are diving into neurodiversity. In this episode of the Yoga In My School podcast guest McAlister Grenier Huynh, otherwise known as The Neurodivergent Teacher, explains neurodiversity, why it's an essential consideration in the classroom, top tips for teaching SEL so that self-regulations becomes a natural skills, and so much more. You will especially appreciate Autism Acceptance Spirit Week including a FREE handout in the show notes. Please forgive the hiccu...
Apr 01, 2022•35 min
Have you ever not seen yourself in the yoga community? Wondered where were others like you? SonJoria Sydnor's story begins with not being able to find black kids doing yoga as an example to her family. She set out to change that. The resulting book Our Family's Doing Yoga and Social Media presence @BlackKidsDoYoga represents black families practicing yoga. Its real, its genuine, and your are going to LOVE it. Highlights 1:04 Meet SonJoria Sydnor 6:35 Benefits of family yoga 8:21 Challenges to a ...
Feb 21, 2022•37 min
Do you include books in your kids yoga classes? Are you interested in writing your own kids yoga book? If yes, you're are going to love this episode of the Yoga In My School podcast. Donna Freeman, host, chats with Robyn Snow of Glow Yoga Kids to discuss her journey from kids yoga teacher to kids yoga book author. Plus we'll explore her creative way of sharing literature with kids using yoga and mindfulness. Highlights 2:05 Hello Robyn 6:14 Read Along with Robyn 8:54 How to pick books for Read A...
Feb 09, 2022•29 min
Join Donna Freeman, host of the Yoga In My School podcast, and Chanel Tsang, host of the Peace Out podcast , as they chat about mindfulness for kids, podcasting, science and mindfulness, live events, and building community. Highlights 1:38 Who is Chanel Tsang 5:30 The power of mindfulness for young children 7:16 The learning curve in starting your own podcast 9:45 Hurdles and rewards of podcasting 13:30 Mindfulness + Science = Peace Out Podcast 17:19 Ocean Code Word Challenge 19:50 Saturday June...
Jan 17, 2022•27 min
Host Donna Freeman chats with Drew, Executive Chair of the National Kids Yoga Conference . We discuss the past, present and future of the conference, the value of community, and the importance of self-compassion and inward observation. Highlights 1:20 What has kept the YIMS podcast going 6:01 Intro to Drew, his background 19:35 Busyness and Self Compassion 25:29 Drew's involvement with the Kids Yoga Conference 30:39 Changes and conversations 33:50 NKYC Offerings - Fostering professional and pers...
Jan 09, 2022•48 min
This past year has been interesting. Filled with struggles, continually navigating Covid 19 protocols, investing in self-exploration and care, questioning the patterns of the past, and empowering one another to find our voice. In this mini-episode of the Yoga In My School podcast host Donna Freeman looks back over the past 12 months. Themes of trauma informed practices, empowerment, and celebrating our passions/pet projects were clear but not without some controversy thrown in. Then she looks to...
Dec 30, 2021•18 min
Hanukkah, often called the festival of lights, is an annual Jewish celebration of the of the re-dedication of the temple in Jerusalem and the miraculous burning of sacred oil for eight days. Andrea Creel of Shining Kids Yoga shares insight, tools, and resources to foster mindfulness during this festival. Listen for tips on how to be nourished by love and light in your family, kids yoga classes, adult yoga classes, and personal devotion. There are a ton of resources from this conversation. See be...
Nov 29, 2021•41 min
Learning to express your voice authentically is a journey of self discovery. If you are striving to align your offerings with your true self, or navigate changes in your voice/offerings over time, then this episode is for you. Betty Larrea, of Be Yoga Be Love , shares her experiences as she has moved from the corporate world, to the kids yoga world, to being an author, mother, and book doula. Highlights include: 0:04 Intro to episode 2:24 Betty's background 7:06 What does it mean to find your vo...
Nov 18, 2021•44 min
This episode of the Yoga In My School podcast challenges the restrictions placed on teaching yoga in schools in Alabama in the newly passed (May 2021) bill. Guest Crunch Ranjani explores questions raised by the bill that all yoga teachers, school administrators, and legislators need to ponder and discuss. Have a listen, spend some time considering all points of view, and let me know your thoughts. Highlights: 1:45 Background of school yoga in Alabama 3:35 NOTE: Alabama Senate HAS PASSED THE BILL...
Oct 27, 2021•37 min
Discover the wonderful world of phonics and how to use yoga to teach emergent readers essential language decoding skills. This episode of the Yoga In My School podcast hosts Hilary Grierson of Bear Foot Yogis based in London, UK. Hilary is passionate about teaching children through play and has developed a kids yoga phonics card deck to do just that. Wondering how phonics cards are different from alphabet cards? Why kinaestetic learning is so effective? or how to create and publish your own set ...
Oct 04, 2021•43 min
The Saskachewan Indigenous Yoga Association (SIYA) is changing lives as they invite healing and growth through movement and meditation. In this episode of the Yoga In My School podcast we chat with Dawn Deguire, co-founder of the Saskatchewan Indigenous Yoga Association. Discover the amazing work happening throughout the province through their yoga teacher training scholarship program and grass roots approach to bringing the healing benefits of yoga to indigenous populations and underserved comm...
Sep 25, 2021•34 min
Initiate change in education through embodied consciousness and freedom. Dive into a new level of self-awareness in learning environments as our amazing guest Abbi Wills, co-founder of Shanti Generation , explores what it means to teach embodiment, student power, and self-compassion in order to facilitate optimal learning and growth. HIGHLIGHTS 1:53 Intro Abbi Wills 7:08 Sovereign Bodies Learn Here 12:00 Facilitating Optimal Learning 15:45 How to Manage a Sovereign Bodies Classroom 20:04 Invitin...
Aug 27, 2021•43 min
Sun Salutations, Half Moon Pose, Star Pose, Moon Salutations, and more invite yogis to look to the skies. In this episode of the Yoga In My School podcast guest Doreen Foxwell of The Children's School of Yoga shares her creative new Astrology Meets Kids Yoga curriculum. We discuss the impact of the pandemic on her business, following your passions, curriculum writing, acknowledging your kids yoga teachers, and more. If you are passionate about your kids yoga business, this is a must listen episo...
Aug 09, 2021•43 min
In this episode of the Yoga In My School podcast we explore bringing the joy of music and multiculturalism into your homes, yoga studios and kids yoga classes. Guest Dan Storper, founder and CEO of Putumayo World Music, shares his love of music and the world. The new Putumayo album Kids Yoga Dreamland is a beautiful compilation of eclectic world melodies to invite relaxation and sleep. 1:30 Intro to Dan Storper and how Putumayo World Music came about 9:54 Choosing music and the multicultural nat...
Jul 16, 2021•40 min
Are you interested in writing a kids yoga book? Yes? You need to listen to this episode of the Yoga In My School podcast as Susan Rose, newly published author, shares her experience and insight from diving into the process during the Covid pandemic. Fifteen months later she has published two books with a plan for a series. It's been a learning curve from which you can benefit. Note: There are some audio lags in this recording due to wifi connection during the live interview. Thank you for your p...
Jun 13, 2021•34 min
In this episode of the Yoga In My School podcast the delightfully genuine Jen Berg shares insights and practices on using percussion instruments in kids yoga class. Jen is quick to remind me that she is not a professional drummer and that is what makes her the perfect example of following the heart and sharing what you love authentically. She provides Highlights include: 2:15 Intro to Jen Berg 4:07 Drumming in kids yoga class 6:54 How music impacts a kids yoga class 9:15 Using shakers in kids yo...
May 27, 2021•30 min
Yoga In My School founder Donna Freeman speaks with Andrew Baxter of Teen Mental Health/ Mental Health Literacy regarding Mental Health Literacy, resources for mental health for schools/parents, and trends currently happening in youth mental health. Highlights include: 1:26 Intro to Andrew Baxter 3:26 Mental Health Literacy 6:56 Mental Health Disorders vs Problems 9:10 Propensity for teens to develop Mental Health Disorders 10:35 How youth have dealt with the pandemic 15:33 Trends in mental heal...
Apr 19, 2021•39 min
Discover the current trends and issues in the kids yoga and mindfulness community with Donna Freeman, host of the Yoga In My School podcast, and Lara Hocheiser, founder of Flow and Grow Kids Yoga . Highlights include: 2:05 Welcome Lara Hocheiser 5:50 Teaching and leading from moments of growth/vulnerability 7:34 Professionalization of the industry 10:00 School yoga programs, expectations and up-leveling 15:30 Youth becoming yoga teachers 18:52 Community/cultural specialization and responsiveness...
Mar 27, 2021•42 min
BONUS EPISODE: Originally this interview was published exclusively on YouTube . We've added it here as a complement to our previous episode, Trauma Informed Yoga with Joanne Spence. We encourage all to receive trauma informed training that we can help heal and support one another in respectful, compassionate ways. Join Yoga In My School founder Donna Freeman as she chats with David Treleaven about mindfulness, trauma informed practices, the wisdom of the body, and how to empower all to practice ...
Mar 17, 2021•31 min
Donna Freeman, founder of Yoga In My School and host of the podcast, recently sat down and chatted with Joanne Spence about her new book Trauma Informed Yoga (release date March 9. 2021). Listen to their conversation about trauma, the importance of becoming trauma informed, polyvagal theory and why it's important, and specific tools that everyone/anyone can use to help self regulate. Enter to win a copy of her book . Contest runs March 1-8, 2021. Open to all 18 years of age and over. Winner will...
Mar 01, 2021•44 min
Welcome to the new world of teaching online. If you wondering how to do well so you've come to the right place. Laura Mcegan of Divine Light Yoga shares tips on how to effectively teach kids yoga online. Laura brings her wealth of experience and knowledge, providing numerous ideas of how to maintain attention, engage learners, and leverage virtual tools to achieve dynamic, impactful virtual youth yoga classes. Highlights Include: 1:26 Introduction to Laura Mcegan 6:35 How to teach virtual ki...
Feb 08, 2021•43 min
Cory Sterling is the founder of Conscious Counsel , an online, accessible legal firm dedicated to helping heart centered business owners lead their best lives. Cory offers on point legal advice that is relevant to every yoga instructor and studio owner. He and host Donna Freeman cover a range of topics from waivers to trademarks and there is even some laughter thrown in. Cory is not your typical lawyer, as he joins the podcast from a beach in Brazil, but he knows his stuff, speaking with authori...
Jan 29, 2021•36 min
In this special episode founder Donna Freeman shares some of the personal and professional challenges from this past year as well as her gift to you for the holiday season. 00:36 Real Talk: impact of Covid-19 2:48 Moving YTT/RCYT online 6:04 Facing challenges with an open heart 7:48 Need for Trauma Informed Training 9:55 My Gift to You: Mindful Advent 13:57 Future of Yoga In My School podcast Where to find the training and resources mentioned during the podcast YTT 200 and 300 http://bit.ly/amba...
Dec 16, 2020•17 min
In this episode of the Yoga In My School podcast Jivana Heyman shares insights into accessible yoga in thought and practice. We talk about community, activism, accessibility, service and of course yoga. And yes, we totally geek out on applying the sutras into everyday life. This episode is a little longer than usual and includes so much goodness. Enjoy. Highlights 0:47 Intro Jivana Heyman 6:05 What is Accessible Yoga 10:30 Learning from and engaging in activism 16:20 Boundaries and Self Care 18:...
Jun 16, 2020•49 min
In this episode of the Yoga In My School podcast host Donna Freeman chats with Cobb Rogers, co-founder of Yoga Pose . We discuss the journey to creating a universal yoga resource based on ailment, how a live event became a documentary that educates and bridges gaps, partnering with Mental Health America, and the beneficial impact yoga and meditation have on mental health. Highlights: 1:50 Cobb Rogers introduction and background 5:50 Mom's horseback riding accident and rehab 8:58 Inquiring how yo...
May 30, 2020•46 min
In this episode of the Yoga In My School podcast guest Carla Tantillo Philibert of Mindful Practices delves into SEL and the essential practice of POP (Pause, Observe, Practice). We chat about self care for nurturers, the importance of small acts of compassion, and round out our discussion with questions we need to consider as we explore re-entry. Highlights: 2:06 Welcome Carla Tantillo Philibert 3:14 SEL explained 6:02 How to cultivate awareness, the importance of practices 8:50 Living the Covi...
May 10, 2020•46 min
