Monday, August 31, 2015

Time to retreat. Teen yoga getaways are trending.



Courtesy YogaFox
When Kelly Brookbank ERYT500 and Keith Fox met in 2008,
the two were both teaching for a yoga retreat held at Pura Vida Spa Resort in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Today, as co-directors and owners of YogaFox studios in Del Ray Beach, Florida, the now married pair continues to return to the beautiful wellness location, as leaders of an annual teen yoga retreat. 

Courtesy YogaFox
Well known for their Vinyasa style and “Yoga with Live Music” class, which welcomes 100 students weekly at the nearby Colony hotel, in 2011, the duo also founded Yoga Fest FL, an annual yoga festival that aims to bring yoga to the community. This year’s event drew 4000 attendees and 60 vendors.
“Our non-profit, MahaShakti Foundation benefits from the one day event. We work with veterans and at risk youth. Our teen programs are geared toward building role models, successful yogis and community service,” says Brookbank.
For the second year in a row, the Fox’s organization has scholarshipped and led a group of teens on a five-day yoga retreat to...

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Express your yoga self with new fashion-forward Fall prints

 
K-Deer Kids Leggings in 'Boho Nouveau'
Downdog with flair this season! Try K-Deer’s ‘just-in’ yoga leggings on for size and give your body and sense of style a fun, energizing stretch!

New Kids Leggings in: Trina Stripe, Boho Nouveau, Lucy in the Sky, Summer of Love, Indigo Girl and Strawberry Fields. ($48.00/pair at K-Deer.com)



Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Banned! Yoga pants don't make the grade at Massachusetts school

 
 
Another school has jumped on to the yoga pants ban-wagon.

Cape Cod Tech High school in Harwich, Massachusetts has implemented a new dress code, requiring female students to wear shorts or a skirt over yoga pants, according to MyFoxBoston.com.

Apparently, some students at the school said boys are distracted by the look and act out inappropriately.
Outrage has spread and already, a group of 200 girls have organized “First Day = Yoga Pants,” where they plan on donning the prohibited pants on the first day of school this coming semester.
 “We can’t help we were born girls and we shouldn’t have to pay for it either because boys can’t ‘control’ themselves,” an event organizer said on their Facebook page.
The school’s principal says the new requirement has to do with professional dress and ensuring that students are work ready, because they’re attending a vocational high school, according to the news site.
Cape Cod Tech isn’t the first school to change their dress code for yoga pants. This past February students at Rockport High School were banned from wearing them completely, according to MyFoxBoston.com.
Where do you stand on this topic? Are yoga pants too sexy as schoolwear?

 

 

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Yogipreneur rising! Working mom-turned-business owner gives kids a mat of their own

Courtesy The Little Yoga Mat
A big idea for little people. That's how
The Little Yoga Mat company got its start.

“My daughter was in pre-school at the time, in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City and I voluntarily taught yoga to her class. I’d cut up adult-sized mats to make little ones for them. Kids loved having mats their size. Parents started calling me to find out...

Monday, August 24, 2015

College bound? On-campus yoga gets high marks

Courtesy Google Images
It’s no surprise. Yoga is positively impacting college and university life for more students.

“My classes continue to fill up every semester,” says Yoga Instructor, Constance McKnight. The adjunct and alumni of AdelphiUniversity in New York is gearing up to teach her two-credit, one-semester Yoga class for the ninth year, out of the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, through its Department of Exercise Science, Health Studies, Physical Education and Sport Management.
The majority of McKnight’s students tend to be juniors and seniors who are ‘in the know,’ so for interested incoming freshmen and sophomores, "Register early before the hour and fifteen minute classes of twenty students each close out," says McKnight.
Beyond postures and breath work, “My intention is to prepare them through the benefits of yoga, for their future careers,” says McKnight.
More than a fitness program, McKnight’s class covers meditation, Savasana (final relaxation), visualizing, focusing, centering, self-awareness, mantras and affirmations. In addition, students learn both the English and Sanskrit names of most poses, Karma yoga, partner and group yoga activities and simple chants such as OM.
To support her students, “I use props, bolsters, wall, and straps,” says McKnight, who was trained in Iyengar, but also mixes in some vinyasa (flow), restorative and laughing yoga styles.

 

 

 

Friday, August 21, 2015

Back-to-School Supply List: Lunch bag yoga love!


Courtesy RNK Shops
Forgo the brown bag and send your young yogi to school with this super cute lunch tote.
The durable, unisex bag is made out of neoprene, insulated, comes with reinforced handles and has a zipper closure.

If your little one is a messy eater, don’t fret! Just pop it in the wash and hang to dry!

(Keep Calm & Do Yoga Kids Lunch Bag, $27.95 at www.rnkshops.com)

Thursday, August 20, 2015

It's a date! National Kid Yoga Conference Coming November 2015


Courtesy YoKid
Come one, come all!

Whether you’re a teacher, educator, yoga instructor, parent, or anyone interested in bringing yoga to our next generation, this meeting of like minds is a gathering you shouldn’t miss.
This year’s weekend of events includes panel discussions, workshops, networking and yoga practice focused on different aspects of yoga for youth, such as -- the business of yoga, school yoga, yoga tools and yoga research.
Presenters and keynotes from notable leaders in the kids yoga movement will address conference goers.
A special Teen Track has been added this year to engage youth aged 13-17. Participants will have a chance to further their own yoga practice during a full day of classes designed just for them. A limited number of scholarship are available. To apply, teens must complete an application form on the host organization’s website by October 1st, 2015.
For more information or to register, visit kidsyogaconference.org

National Kid Yoga Conference
November 13-15, 2015
George Washington University’s Marvin Center

 

 

 

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

What a charmer! Try this chakra inspired pendant on for size

Courtesy Buddhagroove.com

The young yogi in your life will channel your affection each time she literally rocks this accessory. Hand-made in India, each pendant contains 7 Chakra gemstones, which represent the ancient Chakra energy centers in the body…
Amythest – Crown Chakra (Wisdom)
Lolite  -- Third Eye Chakra (Perception)
Blue Topas  -- Throat Chakra (Speech, Truth)
Peridot – Heart Chakra (Compassion)
Citrine – Solar Plexus Chakra (Strength)
Carnelian – Sacral Chakra (Creativity)
Garnet – Root Chakra (Courage)
 
(Sterling Silver Infinity Chakra Pendant, $42.00 at Buddhagroove.com)
 
 

 

 




Tuesday, August 18, 2015

New organic snacks pack a fruity punch!

Go Organically Fruit Snacks are hitting supermarket shelves in time for Back-to-School.

The bite-size snacks differ from competing brands, as they're loaded with fresh-off-the-vine flavors, according to the company.

"While a growing number of organic and natural products are hitting the market, frankly, many of them have lost focus on what consumers want most...taste. We set out to make an organic product with real fruit purees and fruit juices that tastes great," says Josh Shapiro, Vice President of Marketing for Farmer's Choice and Promotion In Motion in a press release today.

Three assortments include Fruit Medley, Mixed Berry, and Tropical. 

The tasty treats are GMO free, gluten free, preservative free and include 100 percent of the daily recommended value of Vitamin C and are an excellent source of Vitamins A and E.


Go Organically Fruit Snacks retail for $3.99 per 8-count package.


 

 

Monday, August 17, 2015

Stay fit while you shop. Girls' athletic wear retailer hosts yoga events and more.

Courtesy ivivva
Ivivva, the athletic wear brand for active girls created by Lululemon is taking customer engagement to a new level of interaction.

“We target young girls in movement – from Lacrosse to ballet, to yoga. We like to hear what they’re up to and we try to support them through in-store events at our showroom,” says Layne Averill, store manager at ivivva's New York City showroom.
The upper west side shop organizes hyper local events on-site, like help with packing camp trunks, and off-site, too, such as Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) at Manhattan Kayaking Pier 84.
“We’ve hosted yoga classes at a studio in Brooklyn, and Zumba and Hip Hop dance classes at different city-wide locations. We’re looking in to an Acrobat Trapeze class at Chelsea Piers, too,” says Averill. “We live in the most beautiful city. We love taking them to places they don’t normally get to go to.”
Feedback on the brand’s line is invaluable and generated through in-store FIT sessions.
“Girls come in and offer feedback on what they love or not, so we can inform designers on what we can do better to support them. We may have three to eight FIT sessions per week. We want to make sure we’re doing our best for them,” says Averill.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Taking a pass on gym class. California teens gain school credit for yoga classes.



Courtesy Prana Yoga Center
Some students are getting off the track and field and hitting up a California yoga studio instead --to rack up physical education class credits.

Prana Yoga Center of La Jolla, California has offered its Yoga for Teens 101 PE Credit course since 2005, through an arrangement with The Bishops School, a local and private institution.

Open to students from other area middle and high schools, students sign up because they like yoga as a balance to academics and other sports they might do, says Alexandra Gessner, the studio's owner.

"Yoga provides a great alternative to...

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Make-Your-Own Chakra Sak Day 7 -- Sahasrara Chakra

Today's focus is the seventh, or ‘Sahasrara’ Chakra, which is associated with the color violet.

Sahasrara

Located: Crown of head

Element: Thought

Color: Violet

Represents: Enlightenment, spirituality, wisdom, oneness with the world

Healing Asanas: Corpse, Lotus, Headstand,

 

 

 

Monday, August 10, 2015

Make-Your-Own Chakra Sak Day 6 -- Third Eye Chakra

Today’s focus is the sixth, or 'Ajna' Chakra, which is associated with the color indigo.

Ajna

Located: Center of forehead

Element: Light

Color: Indigo

Represents: Intuition, mental clarity, wisdom, balance, seeing, perception

Healing Asanas: Hero’s Pose, DownDog, Sun Salutations, Headstand Prep

 

 

Friday, August 7, 2015

Make-Your-Own Chakra Sak Day 5 -- Throat Chakra


Today’s focus is the fifth, or Throat Chakra, ‘Vishuddha,’ which is associated with the color blue.

Vishuddah

Location: Throat

Color: Blue

Element: Ether

Represents: Honest communication, self-expression, inner truth

Healing Asanas: Fish, Plow Pose, Wild Thing, Camel, Sphinx

 

 

 

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Make-Your-Own Chakra Sak Day 4 -- Heart Chakra

 Today’s focus is the fourth, or Heart Chakra, ‘Anahata,’ which is associated with the color green.
 



Anahata

Location: Heart

Color: Green

Element: Air

Represents: Self-compassion, loving relationships, empathy, forgiveness, tolerance

Healing Asanas: Upward Facing Dog, Camel, Bridge, Reclined Bound Angle, Triangle

 

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Make-Your-Own Chakra Sak Day 3 -- Solar Plexus Chakra

Today’s focus is the third, or Solar Plexus Chakra, ‘Manipura,’ which is associated with the color yellow.

Manipura

Location: Solar Plexus

Color: Yellow

Element: Fire

Represents: Will, ego, emotions, self-love, purpose, possibilities

Healing Asanas: High lunge twist, Revolved triangle, seated twist, plank

 

 

E

 

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Make-your-own Chakra Sak Day 2 -- Sacral Chakra

Today’s focus is the second or Sacral Chakra, “Svadhisthana”, which is associated with the color orange.


Svadhisthana

Location: pelvis area

Color: Orange

Element: Water

Represents: Emotions, feelings, relationships, connection, creativity

Healing Asanas: Child’s, Dancer’s Pose, Reversed Triangle, Chair, Goddess

 

 

 

 

Monday, August 3, 2015

Get crafty! Make-your-own Chakra Sak

This week, KidsYogaDaily will focus on the 7 Chakras, or energy centers within our body.

The Indian Sanskrit word, Chakra, means “wheel,” as in wheels of energy. When our Chakras are in balance, our minds, bodies and moods are believed to be in good health, but when spinning too fast or too slow, we can feel off in one or more ways.

Creating a Chakra Sak is a fun way to explore the Chakras, each of which correlate to an element of nature and a color of the rainbow. You can store your Chakra sak on your bedside table, or stow it in your backpack if you wish to channel a particular stone’s energy on a given day. By practicing certain Asanas, we can bring each Chakra in to proper balance. Happy crafting!
Materials
Small, fabric saks (Muslin saks pictured here from Michaels Crafts Store)
Colorful rocks or stones (Glass stones pictured here from Michael's Crafts Store)
Muladhara Chakra
Color: Red
Location: Base of spine
Element: Earth
Represents: Instinct, survival, safety, grounding, family, security, boundaries and new beginnings.
Healing Asanas: Child’s pose, Hamstring stretch, Warrior I, II, III, Triangle, Right Angle
Affirmation: 'Red glowing light, help me to be stable, strong and grounded on my feet.'