Positive vibes! 2nd Annual National Kids Yoga Conference a Hit

Courtesy YoKid

It was a meeting of the hearts and minds in kids yoga at last month's 2nd Annual National Kids Yoga 

“We had a great response from people and a great conference,” says Michele Kelsey Mitchell, executive director of YoKid, which produced the November 13^th – 15^th 2015 event held at George Washington University (GWU), in Washington, D.C. The non-profit provides instruction in yoga for kids and teens.

Courtesy YoKid

With 335 participants –some educators, some mental health professionals and others who are kids’ yoga instructors, “People came from...all over the world,” says Mitchell. “Australia, the United Kingdom, Africa, Central America, Canada and the United States were represented.”

Courtesy YoKid

Presenters included representatives from Radiant Child Yoga, Yoga Ed., Calming Kids and Kira Willey, an award-winning American musician and kids’ yoga instructor who was recently nominated for a Grammy award.

This year’s sponsors featured Gaiam, Kripalu, Sonima Foundation and Milken Institute School of Public Health at GWU, among others.

Workshops, such as the Business Side of Yoga were offered, says Mitchell.

“Understanding the business side of yoga is a necessity. Keeping kids yoga studio doors open is hard to do successfully,” she says.

The “Bent on Learning,” session concentrated on yoga and mindfulness among American teens.

 “Teens in attendance spoke on how such practices have impacted them in a positive way,” says Mitchell.