May Day is celebrated on May 1st as a welcoming of the return of Spring. The day is rooted in agriculture, falling in between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. May Day is a time to celebrate the blooming of flowers, warming of the ground and connecting with the changing seasons. Here are some ways to celebrate May Day with children! Continue reading

Sibling fighting has kicked into high gear at our house this week and it is an unfamiliar, very unpleasant new stage of life. As an only child, growing up with only a few extended family members nearby, I have virtually no experience with this! And navigating the almost constant bickering over toys, stuffed animals, TV shows, attention, sippy cups, virtually anything… is quickly becoming exhausting. I started to think about how yoga philosophy could guide me in the matter and instantly started rolling through the yamas and niyamas in my mind. Not only would these yogic principles help with navigating... Continue reading

The coronavirus pandemic has reminded us that humans are resilient. Like many adults, though, teenagers have never experienced the kind of uncertainty they are feeling now. In having to deal with the pandemic, teens have lost key moments in their lives. Many have missed important school-related events, including sports, dances and graduations. They have been separated from friends for a very long time on top of having to wear masks and socially distance. Over the ten-plus years as a yoga teacher to teens, I have had the opportunity to teach face-to-face yoga in schools, studios and fitness centers. I remember... Continue reading

Reclaiming resilience is a cumulative process. It is a series of saying yes to the things that foster freedom and saying sayonara to the things that no longer serve. Continue reading

Yoga and mindfulness is a consistent practice regardless of location. I have been working virtually online since 2014 when I first stepped into the role of ChildLight Director of Trainings. To say it was a struggle to adapt to working online for hours at a time would be an understatement. I clearly remember my husband telling me to walk away from the computer and go for a walk and my children asking me when I had last attended a yoga class. Now it is just my daily life. What I didn’t know then was how to practice self-care, differentiate work... Continue reading

This year found many of us moving from interactive, overscheduled days to living in virtual isolation. Though there can be some sense of relief to step off the fast-moving-train contemplating life choices and cleaning out closets, it can be easy to slip into the mode of not caring. “I am not going anywhere so why bother?” In my family, when feeling gloomy, we head to the closet and put on dressy items, cologne or essential oils, jewelry and sometimes don funny/fancy hairstyles. It is an instant pick-me-up! Here are a few additional tips to lift you and others up when... Continue reading

Sally Quadruple Dog Dared me to put my phone away for four days while on vacation. Continue reading

I was never keen on at-home pampering until COVID-19 hit. Suddenly, professional pedicures, floating and massages were no longer available. This is clearly a first world problem and I realize how privileged I am that these services were ever a part of my regular life pre-pandemic. But without built-in self-care routines already in place at home, I found that as the weeks and months of quarantine passed, I was really starting to miss my typical self-care dates. I started out by making a list. I thought of all the things I liked to do outside of my home that made... Continue reading

Ridge is co-owner, Megan Morris’, four year old son and has been a big fan of Star Wars for years! After spending a long night “battling” air travel challenges, Megan mindfully chose to spend the day with her kids. Leisure time is clearly how creativity is born! 1. Medical Droid Pose: 2. Anakin Becomes Darth Vader Pose: 3. Trash Compactor Pose: 4. Death Star Pose [VIDEO]: Enjoy! Continue reading

As we close out a decade and move into the 2020’s, many people are taking inventory of their last 10 years. What were you were doing in January of 2010? Take a couple of minutes to ponder these questions: ~ What was I celebrating 10 years ago? ~ What were some of the big, stand-out milestones of the decade? ~ What awards or accolades come to mind? ~ What felt like failure? Consider, that as a society, we are prone to assess ourselves based on goals met and achievements acknowledged. It’s easier for our brains to think about our lives... Continue reading

Now through December 15th! *Cannot be combined with other promos Upcoming Trainings: Yoga & Mindfulness for Children Jan 25-26: Dover, NH Feb 21-23: Torrington, CT Mar 6-8: Burlington, VT Mar 14-15: Harrisburg, PA Mar 21-22: Sarasota, FL Mar 27-29: Washington, DC Jun 22-23: Bethlehem, PA Jul 16-17: Dover, NH Jul 20-21: Dover, NH Jul 24-26: Washington, DC Oct 24-25: Bethlehem, PA Advanced Teaching Concepts Jun 24-25: Bethlehem, PA Jul 30-31: Dover, NH Nov 6-8: Washington, DC Yoga & Mindfulness in Schools Feb 8-9: Dover, NH Jul 23-24: Dover, NH Jul 27-28: Washington, DC Yoga for Babies & Toddlers Jan 10-12:... Continue reading

How did you find your way to ChildLight? I had been looking for a while and someone I don't know had randomly mentioned Childlight in a conversation. I checked it out and made my to Dover one icy January weekend to take my first training with Meg! Why are you interested in yoga & mindfulness for children? As an educator of elementary school children and yoga practitioner, I had been working on developing ways to increase opportunities to merge both these passions. I see the living proof of the benefits of yoga in children and find joy in supporting children... Continue reading

1. How did you find your way to ChildLight? I found ChildLight after using the internet to research available trainings. I realized that a lot of the trainings were local to me and other ones that I had to travel to were actually places that I would love to visit. 2. Why are you interested in yoga & mindfulness for children? I always knew that I wanted to get certified to teach yoga to children. I found yoga at about 18 years old and it truly changed my life. I know that if I had learned the skills that I... Continue reading

Who can ever forget the Staples commercial where the mom is joyfully tossing school supplies into the air and catching them in the shopping cart, while the kids drag their feet behind her. All the while the classic Christmas song, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” is playing in the background. It’s a running joke among mothers of school aged children that the summer is so long, in fact some would say, too long and many can’t wait for school to start again. There is some truth to the peace that a consistent schedule provides, for mama and... Continue reading

Teens are famous for scrolling through their phone before bed, which can negatively impact their sleep. Many other factors can also contribute to the lack of sleep among teens. According to a University of Michigan study, 43% of parents say their teens struggle to fall asleep or wake up and can’t get back to sleep. Studies further suggest teenagers need between 9-10 hours of sleep, yet teens average about seven hours or less especially if they are active in after-school activities. Yoga can help! A recent study showed young adults who regularly practice yoga woke up fewer times in the... Continue reading

More and more I feel like we, as a society, are collectively failing at adulting. After getting back from an amazing vacation a few months ago, I realized that my day to day was sometimes completely void of any of the true joys of adulting (RE: Doing whatever we want because we can!). The only time I was really letting myself explore that part of adulting was on an extended breaks from all work related responsibilities. That’s not the way life should be!!! I watch my son struggle with the limitations of being a kid and I am reminded of... Continue reading

How did you find your way to ChildLight Yoga? I was presented with the opportunity to volunteer my teaching time at a summer camp for children with specific needs. The head of the foundation that offered the opportunity spoke about a trauma informed training that may be helpful but wasn’t coming to the area for many months. I started researching online and stumbled upon some trainings being offered by ChildLight Yoga locally and signed up on the spot! Why are you interested in yoga and mindfulness for children? The idea that yoga can empower children as it help them understand... Continue reading

How did you find your way to ChildLight Yoga? In 2016 I was contacted by a friend looking for yoga classes for her daughter, age 9. I told her I would do some research and recommend a location for children’s classes. I spent an hour on my computer searching local yoga studios and YMCAs for children’s yoga classes. My search came up empty. I was aware of Childlight Yoga from advertisements in Yoga Living. I was baffled. How is it possible NO ONE was offering yoga for children? I immediately found ChildLight’s website and signed up for my first training.... Continue reading

We may be halfway through summer but there is still plenty of time to read a good book! Take a look at these recommendations from ChildLight Yoga Trainers and Certified Instructors! "Bee Calm: The Buzz on Yoga," by Frank Sileo - “This book is at the top of my recommendation list for parents, teachers, counselors, kids’ yoga and mindfulness teachers and others seeking an accessible, relatable way to introduce yoga to children! Perfect for the classroom, bedtime, playtime, or for children to ‘read’ and practice on their own, the simple rhymes and adorable characters in Bee Calmengagingly guide the reader... Continue reading

There’s something about sitting on a chair at the park, pool, beach or wherever your summer plans take you with a good book in your hands. Reading can feed the mind, soothe the soul, and transport you into different worlds. Whether its mindfulness, non-fiction, self-help, parenting, philosophy or even a children’s book, you are bound to find a book to grab this summer from the list below. Happy Summer Reading! Daring Greatly by Brene Brown - If you have ever struggled with the feeling of being “not enough,” then you will want to read this book. Daring Greatlyis a smart,... Continue reading

This blog was originally published by https://honeybee4me.com/ Written by Amy Kirk: I cut open this gorgeous pepper today for my lunch and was gifted with this little baby pepper inside. I immediately had to show Michele, and we whispered to each other (as if we were going to wake a sleeping baby) how cute it was. I don’t believe in coincidences and I fully believe the universe has a sense of humor. As my 45th birthday is quickly approaching, thoughts of family and my parents and how fast time has gone by have been on my mind. It also seemed... Continue reading

My six-month-old baby is a dream. If it takes any longer than 10-minutes to put her down for a nap, it starts to feel like an eternity. I know, I’m lucky. While I was rocking her, I could feel my anxiety kicking up. I’m worried about my family’s health. I’m worried about my workload. I’m worried about how all of this is going to affect my children. I want to control so much that is truly out of my control, and while I know this is pointless, it’s a trap I fall into often. When I am trying to control... Continue reading

This is a personal perspective of an individual service experience of a Certified ChildLight Yoga Instructor. Articles, interviews and other communications shared by ChildLight Yoga, LLC are intended to demonstrate the reach and impact of yoga and mindfulness practices for children and in no way reflect any particular political views. Q: How did you find your way to ChildLight Yoga? A: On a reporting trip to Palestine, I witnessed how traumatized the children were after regular house raids. I was practicing yoga to keep myself centered and wanted to share the tools of yoga I was using to help them... Continue reading

1. How did you find your way to ChildLight Yoga? I have long known the benefits of yoga for myself, but after the birth of my first child and a difficult postpartum experience, I found that attending a mommy and me class with my new baby really helped me find a stronger connection to her. When I went back to work after three months, I was sad that I couldn't find many opportunities for us to go to classes together except during weekday mornings. I finally found a wonderful family yoga class in my town that I went to for... Continue reading

What is considered “cool” for tweens and teens these days? Too often it's related to the latest phone or social media event. Other times it’s cool to have a special talent or know how, or to be a good athlete. On a recent trip, I had the opportunity to bond with some teens who told me that they often did yoga, and like many teens, felt the need to give time to their schools or community. This was refreshing and reminded me of my yoga teens at home, who get excited about volunteering and participating in their community. As adult... Continue reading