Powerful Lessons from the Kids Yoga Conference

The Kids Yoga Conference (KYC) is a yearly event for learning, professional development, and connection that supports the adults bringing yoga and mindfulness to youth.

The 2021 KYC was offered online this year which meant I got to attend from one of the favourite spots, my couch!

It’s one of the silver linings of the pandemic, getting to learn from home. Looking out at the cherry blossoms, drinking tea, and getting inspired from so many wonderful teachers.

Aruna sits by her window where she can see trees and a cherry tree in bloom with pink flowers. Her computer is on yoga blocks for her to watch the training, and her pen is in hand and notebook in lap.

I’d love to share some of that inspiration with you here. We got notes in the workshop but I like taking my own notes to reinforce the ideas and keep myself focused.

In total, I attended 7 lectures and 2 yoga classes at the Kids Yoga Conference 2021. At our Monthly check-In I shared my notes from 3 of them including:

Compassionate Action: Tauma, Wellness, and Social Justice with Marsha Banks-Harold (@piesfitnessyoga)
Including Kids with Disabilities and Differences with Sarah Henderson (@sarahhendersonyoga)
Demonstrating Cultural Responsiveness in Kids Yoga with Melissa Shah (@findyourbreath), Rahsmi Bismark (@rashmibismark) and Archaa Shrivastav (@archaareads)

Demonstrating Cultural Responsiveness in Kids Yoga

Workshop with Melissa Shah (@findyourbreath), Rashmi Bismark (@rashmibismark) and Archaa Shrivastav (@archaareads)

We did a very powerful reflection on why it is important to be culturally responsive in kids yoga. The “why” is at the root of everything we do and needs to be regularly examined. I used to do this meditation regularly and this workshop put me back in touch with that important questions – WHY?

Including Kids with Disabilities and Differences

Workshop with Sarah Henderson (@sarahhendersonyoga)

Move slow with kids so everyone can be included. We did a wonderful Sloth themed yoga class, with options for doing yoga on the floor or in a chair.

Compassionate Action: Tauma, Wellness, and Social Justice

Keynote address with Marsha Banks-Harold (@piesfitnessyoga)

Marsha Banks-Harold inspired us with the work she does with children and to “Reclaim the humanity of the world.” Recognize that if children show up presenting with issues, they may be carrying trauma with them, and it is the teacher’s job to not take this personally. Breathe! Help yourself so you can help them work through their trauma, and not pile more trauma on. Yoga helps with this!

Kid’s Yoga Conference

You have the opportunity to watch these workshops until October 2021.

If you are looking for inspiration and a touchstone to see if you on the right track and aware of much needed progressive thinking in the world of kids yoga, please consider watching these workshops and making your own notes.

This weekend took a lot of time and energy to show up on zoom for so many hours, but it truly nourished my soul and I highly recommend everyone find a way to do that!

Register for the Kids Yoga Conference

Kids Yoga Conference – Register Here and Watch the Workshops

FREE: Listen in on our Live Conversation

We discussed these workshops at our Free Monthly Kids Yoga Teacher Check-In. You can watch replay for free here.

Free: April Monthly Teacher Check-In

Get Your Kids Yoga Teacher Training

Now Online!

Yoga Literacy with the Yoga Alphabet (16 Hour Certificate)
Themes and Dreams (16 Hour Certificate)
Kids Yoga and Mindfulness Training- School Age (8 Hour Certificate)
Chakras for Children (4 Hour Certificate)
Family Yoga (4 Hour Certificate)
Mindfulness for Children (16 Hour Certificate)
Inclusive Yoga (16 Hour Certificate)
Level 2: Mastermind Curriculum Design and Business Planning (16 Hour Certificate)

Train during the temporary online provision from Yoga Alliance

*Yoga Alliance’s Online Training Provision allows for both self-paced (recorded training) and/or Live Zoom Training. You can choose a combination of these that works for you.