YoKid http://yokid.org Wed, 22 May 2013 17:32:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Don’t Miss the Yoga For Runners Workshop http://yokid.org/2013/05/dont-miss-the-yoga-for-runners-workshop/ http://yokid.org/2013/05/dont-miss-the-yoga-for-runners-workshop/#comments Wed, 22 May 2013 17:32:00 +0000 anne http://yokid.org/?p=4414 read more»]]> YoKid is participating in a special Yoga For Runners Workshop on Saturday, June 15th from 12p,-2pm at Old Town Sport & Health, 209 Madison St. Alexandria, VA  22314.

Want to learn how yoga can support your running? You’ll get a workout while learning some preventative and therapeutic exer- cises for common injuries, poses to strengthen common runner weaknesses, and more. All levels welcome. Teacher: Jen Mueller

Money raised by the Sport & Health Yoga for Runners Workshop directly supports yoga programs for at-risk and under-served youth in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

$35 registration fee will be considered a tax-deductible contribution

For more information and to register visit our site at:

http://www.active.com/yoga-clinic/alexandria-va/yoga-for- runners-w-jen-mueller-in-support-of-yokidstretch-your-limits-2013

 

]]> http://yokid.org/2013/05/dont-miss-the-yoga-for-runners-workshop/feed/ 0 Did you get outside this evening? http://yokid.org/2013/05/did-you-get-outside-this-evening/ http://yokid.org/2013/05/did-you-get-outside-this-evening/#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 02:30:37 +0000 athena http://yokid.org/?p=4391 read more»]]> With our busy lives and schedules, and weeks packed with work and sports and after school activities, we come home and rush to get dinner on the table, homework done and kids to bed. But sometimes, we have to give ourselves permission to ignore the chores, let our little ones stay up a little past bedtime, and make a weeknight a memorable one.

 

On a beautiful night like tonight, have a nice slow dinner outdoors, practice a couple of gentle pranayamas or breathing exercises, maybe play a board game outside, or go for an after dinner walk on an unfamiliar route. Take notice of how you feel after, and how you feel the next day. Perhaps it’ll make the rest of your week that much more enjoyable. Don’t reduce your good times down to only 1 or 2 of the 7 days in the week, you deserve a midweek renewal!

And for those interested in learning skills to teach children and teens yoga, we’re holding a teacher training this weekend at Soaring Spirit in Occoquan, VA

Anyone who registers for the FULL YoKid 20-hour Basic Training at Soaring Spirit in Occoquan, VA this weekend will receive 50% off of one of our upcoming Continuing Ed Courses this summer: Teaching Yoga to Children & Teens: Asana in Your Yoga Classroom OR Kids Yoga Tools & Games – for details and dates click here;
For the promo code, register for the 20-hour training and forward your confirmation email to ellie@yokid.org

]]> http://yokid.org/2013/05/did-you-get-outside-this-evening/feed/ 0 YoKid in the Community – Don’t Miss These June Events! http://yokid.org/2013/05/yokid-in-the-community-dont-miss-these-june-events/ http://yokid.org/2013/05/yokid-in-the-community-dont-miss-these-june-events/#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 00:29:31 +0000 anne http://yokid.org/?p=4388 read more»]]> Curious about where you can find YoKid in our community in June?  Pencil in these upcoming events and come join us!
June 9th – Sunday
Love Your Body Day
Northern Virginia Yoga & Wellness Day

Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St, Reston VA 20190

10am-3pm
FREE
YoKid is doing demo for 8-13 yo in the Kids Tent at 1:40pm
June 15th – Saturday
Yoga for Runners Workshop
Teacher: Jen Mueller
Old Town Sport & Health, 209 Madison St, Alexandria VA 22314
12p-2p
$35 registration fee will be considered a tax-deductible contribution
Register here:

http://www.active.com/yoga-clinic/alexandria-va/yoga-for-runners-w-jen-mueller-in-support-of-yokidstretch-your-limits-2013

 

]]> http://yokid.org/2013/05/yokid-in-the-community-dont-miss-these-june-events/feed/ 0 Laugh Like It’s a Reflex: The Benefits of Laughter and a quick How-To http://yokid.org/2013/05/laugh-like-its-a-reflex-the-benefits-of-laughter-and-a-quick-how-to/ http://yokid.org/2013/05/laugh-like-its-a-reflex-the-benefits-of-laughter-and-a-quick-how-to/#comments Thu, 02 May 2013 23:37:31 +0000 athena http://yokid.org/?p=4374 read more»]]>      One of the greatest joys I’ve found in having children and teaching children, is the occasional chuckle that seeps out when I imagine an adult (often times myself) doing the exact same thing that that child is doing. Imagine how an 8 year old sits at the table doing his homework. He’s scooting across the bench, sitting then standing, lifting one leg up high, now sitting on one knee with the other foot flat on the ground doing what looks to be one legged squats. Now imagine yourself doing this at your desk at work. I just laughed out loud thinking about it. It always works for me. What makes you laugh?
It’s great to find your sources for laughter and to have them in your back pocket for those moments each day or week that you need them, but for a Laughter meditation you need absolutely nothing but your Self.

 

How to Do a Laughing Meditation

1. Begin by finding a comfortable seated or standing (or even lying) position. Take a deep breath and exhale. Take another and on that inhale lift your arms up over your head, and on the exhale sweep your arms back down to your sides.

2. Stretch your facial muscles by yawning and making silly faces.
When you’re ready just laugh! Use whatever imagery or inspiration you may need, but just allow your self to laugh. Set a timer and try for 5 minutes. The next time increase this to 10 minutes.
3. To bring your meditation to a close, find your way back to silence.
Close your eyes and find your breath.
Place both hands over your heart.

Laughter can rid the body of physical and emotional stress, it has powerful short term and long term health benefits such as stimulating the organs, soothing tension, and improving the immune system.
For more on the health benefits, visit the Mayo Clinic’s website here

peace, light, and laughter,
The YoKid team
]]> http://yokid.org/2013/05/laugh-like-its-a-reflex-the-benefits-of-laughter-and-a-quick-how-to/feed/ 0 Meditation Apps for Busy People http://yokid.org/2013/04/meditation-apps-for-busy-people/ http://yokid.org/2013/04/meditation-apps-for-busy-people/#comments Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:50:03 +0000 anne http://yokid.org/?p=4357 read more»]]> The Huffington Post recently published a list of meditation apps for busy people.  You can find the article here.  Some are free and some are geared towards kids, like Smiling Mind.  Some of the apps are suitable for experienced meditators and some are for beginners.Headspace offers a series of 10 day guided meditation to kickstart your meditation practice.Yoga

 

]]> http://yokid.org/2013/04/meditation-apps-for-busy-people/feed/ 0 Recognizing Our power http://yokid.org/2013/04/recognizing-our-power/ http://yokid.org/2013/04/recognizing-our-power/#comments Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:00:56 +0000 athena http://yokid.org/?p=4347 read more»]]> image“Too often we underestimate the power of touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia

Yesterday in our very special teachers quarterly yoga class, fellow instructor Jessica Purtell read this beautiful quote. It applies not only to us as teachers, but also to us as parents, students, citizens. We have so much power in our fingertips. Remember this today as you go out into the world.

If you’d like an opportunity to do more and touch more lives, consider participating in our next YoKid teacher training at Budding Yogis. You can find more information and register here https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/adm/home.asp?studioid=16084

 

 

 

]]> http://yokid.org/2013/04/recognizing-our-power/feed/ 0 April 17 – Support YoKid through Spring2Action! http://yokid.org/2013/04/april-17-support-yokid-through-spring2action/ http://yokid.org/2013/04/april-17-support-yokid-through-spring2action/#comments Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:41:20 +0000 anne http://yokid.org/?p=4331 read more»]]> April 17 is YoKid’s annual Spring2Action, 24 hours of giving fundraiser – less than 2 weeks away!
So, what if we all gave on one day?
We can! On April 17th – Alexandria’s Giving Day! Spring2ACTion is one extraordinary day to support the organizations that make Alexandria amazing. This is YOUR chance to make a real impact – every donation you make gives your favorite organization(s) the chance to win up to $30,000 in grants and prizes.  You can donate any amount – $10 provides one yoga class for a child; $108 sponsors a child in the YoKid Challenge; $415 provides training for one volunteer teacher and impacts the lives of countless kids in our area.
You can donate to YoKid here:  http://www.razoo.com/story/Yokid-Stretch-Your-Limits

 

]]> http://yokid.org/2013/04/april-17-support-yokid-through-spring2action/feed/ 0 Get Ready to Spring2Action! http://yokid.org/2013/04/get-ready-to-spring2action/ http://yokid.org/2013/04/get-ready-to-spring2action/#comments Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:44:56 +0000 ellie http://yokid.org/?p=4320 read more»]]> On Wednesday, April 17th our community will come together for 24 hours of unprecedented giving to support the amazing work of Alexandria nonprofits through Spring2ACTion, hosted by ACT for Alexandria and ACTion Alexandria.  Last year, Spring2ACTion raised $320,000 for Alexandria non-profits through one day of online giving!

Spring2ACTion is YOUR chance to make a real impact – every donation you make on this day gives YoKid a chance to win up to $30,000 in grants and prizes.  Please plan to give to YoKid on April 17th and share this link with friends and family so that we can increase our chances to raise even more money through Spring2ACTion.Untitled2

Help us raise awareness and funds for YoKid so that we can continue our outreach into the community and bring more yoga to kids of all ages and backgrounds. Please show your support by saving the date and making a donation online on April 17th at: http://spring2action.razoo.com/story/Yokid-Stretch-Your-Limits.

Find out more by visiting the Spring2ACTion homepage and remember – April 17th is the day to give!

 

**Important Note: If you would like to donate before April 17th you may schedule a donation by selecting on the drop down menu to make this donation “on a giving day”. This drop down menu option is located just above the Donate button. Only donations made on or scheduled for April 17th will count towards our competition total.

]]> http://yokid.org/2013/04/get-ready-to-spring2action/feed/ 0 YoKid to Participate in Honoring Military Children at the Let’s Move Military Kids Health Fair and Expo http://yokid.org/2013/03/yokid-to-participate-in-honoring-military-children-at-the-lets-move-military-kids-health-fair-and-expo/ http://yokid.org/2013/03/yokid-to-participate-in-honoring-military-children-at-the-lets-move-military-kids-health-fair-and-expo/#comments Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:38:14 +0000 anne http://yokid.org/?p=4314 read more»]]> Many of you know that April is the month we celebrate and honor our military children for their role and sacrifice as dependents of a service member.  Last year, some of you and your organizations participated in the health fair and expo that Fleet & Family Support Center held last year. We are calling on you to participate again this year. As you know, our First Lady Mrs. Obama has a Let’s Move Campaign to encourage our families and their children to become more physically fit.  YoKid will be offering yoga demonstration classes for military children and families.

Image from http://www.letsmove.gov/

Image from http://www.letsmove.gov/

In honor and celebration of our kids we will be holding our Let’s Move Military Kids Health Fair and Expo on Saturday, 27 April 2013 from 1200 to 1600 (12:00-4:00pm) here at NSA Bethesda in Bethesda, MD.  This is free event and only open to our military families.

]]> http://yokid.org/2013/03/yokid-to-participate-in-honoring-military-children-at-the-lets-move-military-kids-health-fair-and-expo/feed/ 0 YoKid & The Huffington Post! http://yokid.org/2013/03/yokid-the-huffington-post/ http://yokid.org/2013/03/yokid-the-huffington-post/#comments Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:33:10 +0000 ellie http://yokid.org/?p=4301 read more»]]> Last week, YoKid Executive Director and Co-Founder, Michelle Mitchell, was interviewed by Rob Schware, Executive Director for Give Back Yoga Foundation, for The Huffington Post. YoKid is honored and delighted that our work is being shared in this way as it further supports our mission to bring yoga to ALL children!  Below is just a taste of the interview…. Be sure to read the whole interview here and let us know what you think!

Michelle(1)


“I would like kids to understand that they can do yoga anytime, anywhere, no matter how old they are. I also hope that yoga practice empowers them physically, mentally, and emotionally to be the best version of themselves that they are capable of being at any given moment. There are so many facets to the practice that there’s definitely something that each child can identify with, internalize, and take with them off the mat.”   -Michelle Mitchell, YoKid Exec. Dir. & Co-Founder

 

 

]]> http://yokid.org/2013/03/yokid-the-huffington-post/feed/ 0