The Kids Yoga Podcast

Recognizing that children need balance and focus in their lives, Lani first incorporated yoga into her daily schedule while teaching first grade in Coney Island, Brooklyn, back in the late '90s. Wanting to deepen her own yoga practice, she received her 200-hour certification from the Nosara Yoga Institute in Nosara, Costa Rica. Then, building on her extensive experience with young children, she went on to be certified by Next Generation Yoga in NYC and in Kenya, the Radiant Child Yoga Program, Street Yoga, Circus Yoga, Baby Om, Mindful Schools Teacher Trainings, and United We Om, which focuses on training for under-resourced and trauma-impacted communities. In 2003, Lani headed cross-country to San Francisco, and a year later  founded and created Full of Joy Yoga. Over the next four years, she taught yoga to children in preschools, yoga studios, homes, homeless shelters, and after-school programs all over the Bay Area. In 2007, she relocated to Connecticut, bringing her expertise to the East Coast. She discovered after having her own child, Zephyr (who is now 10), that family yoga was one of her favorite classes to teach.  Training others to teach yoga to kids is one of Lani's passions, as she realizes she can reach many more children by sharing her skills and talents with other instructors.  These last two years of the pandemic, Lani has been teaching outdoor yoga in preschools in all kinds of weather (think snow-ga!) and remotely in New Haven’s public schools – all of which feels like a gift during the uncertainty of these times. Most recently, Lani published a book called Yoga Games for Kids and will soon have videos to accompany the book’s games on her YouTube channel. Lani is always striving to improve the lives and futures of children, and to help them laugh, love, and grow.  In this episode, Lani shares powerful insights from her over 20 years in the kids yoga industry. She shares what's kept her in this work over the years, her current passions, and some of her favorite stories. A wonderful and rich conversation, Lani has so much knowledge that we can all benefit and learn from- Listen in NOW!

Marneta Viegas is the founder of Relax Kids Ltd - the UK's leading expert on children's relaxation. She set up her revolutionary relaxation program in 2000 and is the author of 13 books and has produced a range of over 25 relaxation CDs/MP3s. Marneta has over 40 years of experience in meditation and relaxation and runs a training program where she has trained over 5,000 franchisees from 50 countries in her unique award-winning method of relaxation. She lives in Oxford, UK, with her dog Ronnie Barker. In this episode Marneta shares what it was like being a meditating vegetarian way before it was trendy, why she shifted her focus from being on TV to performing for children, and what led her to teach meditation to children. Ahead of her time, Marneta is an amazing example of following your own inner voice even when those around you don't understand. An uplifting and fascinating conversation- Listen in NOW!

Kristi Fischer and Kelly Winkler are the hosts of the new podcast, Mindful Conversations with KAY. Both woman have extensive experience sharing yoga and mindfulness with children and families. In this conversation, they dive into their visions for the future of kids yoga, how we can realistically incorporate mindfulness into our parenting, how their relationships with their children have changed since they found yoga, and all about their new podcast with Kidding Around Yoga. Listen in NOW!

Ashley Fontes is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher with the National Association of Iyengar Yoga and a registered ERYT-500 Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance. She is the creator of , the Kids' Read and Yoga podcast, and multiple kids yoga games. Ashley has been teaching children's yoga for 10 years and is a mother of 3 little yogis, and 2 yogi dogis. Ashley has her first yoga book coming out in the next couple of months. In this episode she shares how yoga has helped her on her mental health journey, and how she's presented the practice for her children. Such an important topic, listen in now!

Originally aired in February 2021, this episode features Abigail Wilber. Abilgail is an educator, public speaker, and coach. She wants to make mindfulness inclusive, adaptive and relevant to all ages. Abigail loves teaching kids life skills like how to calm down, pay attention, and problem solve. She shares her experience teaching yoga to large groups of teenagers and how she approaches special needs classes. She also sheds light on some red flags to look for when it comes to navigating the business of kids yoga. A shining gem for kids yoga teachers. Listen now!

Kira Willey, author of Breathe Like a Bear, Peaceful Like a Panda and the Mindfulness Moments for Kids board book series, is also a children’s music artist, kids’ yoga and mindfulness expert, and creator of Rockin’ Yoga school programs. She has released five albums of kids’ yoga and mindfulness songs; her work has won Parents’ Choice Gold, Independent Music and International Songwriting Awards. Her hits include “Colors,” which was featured in a worldwide Dell ad campaign, and “Just Be,” which has been streamed more than 2.5 million times. Kira created and hosts several yoga-for-kids programs which air on PBS TV affiliates nationwide; and her TEDx talk, “Bite-Sized Mindfulness,” can be viewed online. Rockin’ Yoga, Kira’s membership, is a thriving community of open-hearted kids yoga educators bringing mindful practices to our next generation. In this episode Kira shares how and why she began sharing yoga for children, how her first kids yoga music album came to be, the inspiration behind her books, and her hopes and dreams for kids yoga and mindfulness in the next ten years. A powerful and inspirational conversation, the perfect listen for every kids yoga professional. Tune in NOW! Some FREE resources provided by Kira can be found for all KYP listeners here:  Here is a page with some of Kira’s most loved yoga resources for your listeners.

Kids Yoga Gems are key pieces of advice offered by the over 75 kids yoga professionals from around the globe that have been on The Kids Yoga Podcast. In this special two year anniversary episode, Host and Creator of The KYP, Jessica Mougis, shares some common themes she's heard hoping we can all benefit from these words of wisdom from. Listen in NOW!

Cathy Cassani Adams, LCSW, co-hosts the Zen Parenting Radio podcast and is co-founder of the annual Zen Parenting Conference. She is a social worker, certified parent coach, former elementary school educator, and yoga teacher who is a forever student when it comes to breathing and mindfulness. Cathy teaches in the Sociology/Criminology Department at Dominican University, and she lives outside of Chicago with her husband Todd and their three daughters. In this conversation, Cathy shares about her journey with yoga and her decade long experience podcasting. She also talks about her new book "Zen Parenting" Caring for Ourselves and Our Children in an Unpredictable World", explains the chakras and offers wise parenting advice. Listen in NOW!

This episode was originally released in April of 2021. James Woods (@datyogadude) has a passion for sharing the tools he has learned on his personal journey to wellness. He has a degree in marriage and family therapy, is a registered yoga teacher, speaker, mentor, author, organizer, teacher and active community member. He is president of FEEL FREE 2 FEEL FREE a health and wellness organization that provides wellness programs and services. James gets candid about his personal yoga journey and how he now shares those tools with black boys and educators. His perspective is important and must be heard! Listen now.

This episode was originally released in March of 2021. Crystal McCreary is a Lead Yoga, Mindfulness and Health Educator & Teacher Trainer with 13+ years of experience in instructing yoga and mindfulness to people of all ages. She facilitates trainings for organizations that aim to support the social and emotional wellbeing of youth and adults, and currently works full-time in the Health Department at an independent school in NYC. Crystal is also the author of the Little Yogi Deck which focuses on emotional intelligence and guides children towards creating a home practice. In this episode, Crystal shares what it means to embody social justice, and why when we prioritize our own healing (by using the technology of yoga) we can create lasting change in the world. She also offers gem after gem of wisdom. Jessica left this interview so fired up she had to go for a brisk walk! Listen in NOW.

This episode was originally released in June of 2020. SonJoria Sydnor is the author and founder of Our Family’s Doing Yoga LLC. She is also a parenting educator, wellness advocate and certified yoga instructor with over 10 years of experience in Early Childhood Education.  As a wife and mother of three amazing children, yoga has become a special part of SonJoria’s family routine. Naturally she became passionate about kids and family yoga. Her vision to expand the face of wellness is manifesting with the help of her children through their series of books, YouTube Channel & BKDY Club. In this conversation, SonJoria opens up about her experience as a mother, nonprofit founder (I AM Breastfeeding) and black woman in this world. She generously shares how she talks with her children about race, and offers insight into how to encourage children to start practicing yoga at home. Listen in and prepare to be inspired!

This episode was originally released in December of 2020.    Cynthia Zak is a journalist, yoga enthusiast, musician, author, and entrepreneur from Argentina. She has shared yoga with children of every religion, race, age, and income bracket for over 15 years in Miami. She is a pioneer in leading Kids Yoga trainings for hundreds of Spanish speaking people from all over the world and a Founder of Yomu. Her beautiful music, enthusiasm for making yoga accessible to all, and generosity in sharing her insight is a true gift. Listen in and learn from the best!

In this special re-release we hear the first ever KYP interview with Marissa Goulbourne, originally aired in February of 2020. Marissa is now the Owner of Prana Prenatal Yoga in Westchester, NY. She began practicing yoga regularly in 2014 as a way to cross-train for the NYC Marathon. She deepened her practice in 2016 during her pregnancy, and credits yoga with not only helping her through labor and delivery, but also with strengthening the bond between her and her unborn child. Having spent nearly 15 years working in urban education, Marissa has a passion for empowering children of all ages and helping them succeed. She completed her 200 hour training at Yoga Haven with Betsy Kase, and lives in Westchester County with her husband and daughter. She enjoys reading, cooking, and hanging out with her beautiful blended family, and her favorite asana is Tree Pose (Vrksasana). Jessica and Marissa discuss how Marissa got into teaching kids yoga, how she handles discipline in her classes, and how yoga at home with her daughter differs from her kids yoga classes. They also touch on challenges that may come up when teaching and how best to handle them in the moment. Marissa is insightful and thoughtful and offers so many helpful words of wisdom. Tune in and be inspired!

Athea Davis is a mindfulness educator, speaker, and writer dedicated to guiding others to climb the rocky mountains of their life while discovering their inner spark so they feel FULLY alive. She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Policy and Leadership, is a Texas Certified Educator, an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) and a Children’s Registered Yoga Teacher (RCYT).   She’s the author of Today’s Gonna Be Awesomesauce: Daily Meditations for Youth, Parents & Families, and the creator of the powerfully positive mindfulness resource, Today’s Gonna Be Awesomesauce: Affirmation + Art Card Deck for Youth, Parents, and Educators.  Athea owns Sol Sense Yoga, a mindfully-infused education and leadership company, where she leads live mindfulness trainings + digital courses for leaders, educators, and parents. She is the host of the rising education podcast, Mindful Living with Athea Davis.  In this conversation, Athea opens up generously about how trauma and pain brought her to the yoga mat and why she decided to keep showing up. She inspires with insights of transforming her pain into something beautiful and shares why following her curiosity has led her to where she is today. Listen in NOW for an honest and powerful conversation.

DeAntwann “DJ” Johnson is a husband, father, author, mentor, coach, counselor, and sports statistician. He grew up in the Indiana foster care system and yet despite that, has gone on to lead a successful, and fulfilling life. Before spending nine years in the foster care system, DJ suffered child abuse, domestic abuse, and emotional trauma. At one point, he wanted to end his life, but he realized that he was on this earth for a purpose. It wasn’t an easy road, but DJ was fortunate enough to have several people throughout his life who inspired him to do great things, inspite of everything that he had been through. He worked hard to overcome a life full of hardships, humiliation, aggression, and self-esteem issues, allowing him to be an active advocate for youth. DJ is a compassionate man who has a special place in his heart for uplifting and inspiring students to be the best that they can be. In this conversation, DJ generously shares how his own upbringing brought him to the powerful work he's doing today. He also shares some of his most powerful parenting insights (easily applicable to teachers working with children!) and how and why the new philosophy of parenting differs from the old school way. Packed with gems and insight, this interview is a must listen for all educators and teachers. Listen in NOW!

Kaajal Agnani, Founder and CEO of Boundless Blooms is on a mission to inspire the next generation of kindful (kind + mindful) humans. Launching her business has been a true labor of love for Kaajal, one where she's been able to combine years of experience in research, operations, marketing, and customer experience, with her passion for children's education and development. Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness have played such an instrumental role in her life, and when she began to reflect on how game-changing it would have been for her if she had access to those tools as a child, she knew that her first products had to achieve a specific aim: to make mindfulness meditation fun and accessible for kids of all ages. Since launching, Boundless Blooms has partnered with non-profit organizations, schools, and university programs to make mindfulness accessible to thousands of kids across the country. Kaajal holds a BA in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley and an MBA from the University of Southern California (where she studied mindfulness). She currently lives in Los Angeles with her partner, Raja, vibrant toddler, Zavi, and sweet baby, Ayaan. In this conversation, Kaajal shares what inspired her to start her business, how she's found likeminded collaborators, what mindfulness looks like in her day to day life with two small children, and her hopes and dreams for Boundless Blooms. Kaajal is insightful and has so much wisdom to share. Listen in NOW!

Nicole Koleshis is the founder of Seattle Kids Yoga and a pediatric occupational therapist. She has been teaching yoga to children and families for almost 2 decades. She is currently living and working from the road in her tiny home on wheels, a converted camper van named Free Bird. Since embarking on her Kids Yoga teaching journey in 2002, Nicole has taught yoga and mindfulness to thousands of children and families, facilitated trainings and courses in US and internationally, led family yoga retreats in Costa Rica and Hawaii, developed curriculum, including hundreds of lesson plans; coached aspiring kids yoga teachers and business owners, and recently authored her 1st book Yoga for Little Kids. Nicole is committed to honoring the roots of yoga and making it accessible, relatable, and enjoyable for all children.   In this conversation, Nicole share exactly what Occupational Therapist is and how that work is so interrelated with kids yoga. She also delves into her fascinating story of deciding to embark on a life on the road, and how she has embraced changes in her business kids yoga business. Her reminder to always be a student of yoga always so we can learn to do better is timely and important. Listen in now and learn so much!

Laurie Brockhaus has worked with youth in the St. Louis area since 2000, as a classroom teacher and social worker in school and community organizations, and has taught yoga to children and adults since 2004. She brings together years of experience in education, social justice work, therapy, and yoga/ mindfulness. Laurie co-founded and directs The Oxygen Project: Yoga for Youth which empowers youth through the tools of yoga and mindfulness by offering low or no-cost programming at schools and youth agencies in underserved communities. She also coordinates yoga teacher training programs and instructs group sessions at Urban Breath Yoga. Laurie is certified as a Yoga Therapist through the International Association of Yoga Therapists; she often instructs yoga trainings relevant to mental health and social service and is a mental health and yoga therapist in private practice, specializing in work with children and adolescents.   In the conversation, Laurie shares her yoga story and what inspired her to begin sharing yoga with underserved communities in St Louis. She describes why offering yoga and mindfulness programming in school systems to all children is so important and the challenges and rewards that come along with that work. She also talks about how she has been caring for herself during the pandemic and the blessings she's found within it all. Listen in NOW!

Patty Wildasinn lives in Southern California with her husband and two adult children. Her son, Kaler, who was diagnosed early in his life with Autism and and overgrowth disorder called Soto's Syndrome, has been a driving force in her personal journey and an inspiration for teaching special populations. Patty has taught Kundalini Yoga since 2004 to all levels and abilities, and quickly realized that she loved working with non-typical yogis, seniors, and kids with special needs. This has fueled her passion and commitment to make yoga accessible to everyone through acceptance, modification, and choices. She is a Level Two Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher. Prior to teaching yoga, Patty was a counselor by profession, working primarily with people in chemical dependency rehabilitation facilities. Her background in human development and helping others to succeed carries over naturally into her teaching and writing. In the beginning of her yoga journey, Patty was given the spiritual name of Patwant Kaur. The destiny provided by the name translates as "The Princess Who is the Keeper of the Honor." She is honored to maintain, expand, and share her life and the yogic teachings with extraordinary groups of people. In this conversation, Patty shares how she found Kundalini yoga and what the philosophy is behind this style of practice. She also talks about why if you can breathe, you can do yoga. In addition, she gets honest about the challenges and rewards in doing her work. Her new book "Yogable" is out now and has so much valuable information on how to share yoga with special populations. Listen in now and learn so much!

Rina Jakubowicz, founder and creator of Rina Yoga and Super Yogis has a vibrant and uplifting approach to yoga. She has been teaching yoga in English and Spanish for over 20 years and has been a featured presenter at numerous well know yoga festivals. Rina is the author of the best selling book, “The Yoga Mind: 52 Essential Principles of Yoga Philosophy to Deepen Your Practice,” and has an international following in the U.S., Chile, Puerto Rico, Mexico, South Korea and Andorra.  Rina’s yoga videos are found on ER Yoga Studio, Gaia TV, Yoga Journal Online, Yogi's Anonymous, Headspace, Fabletics and Udaya, and she is the yoga expert on Univision’s Tu Desayuno Alegre. She has twice appeared on the cover of Yoga Journal in the US and in Spain, and has been featured in Yoga Journal Russia. She resides in Los Angeles, CA and Miami, FL with her husband, her bonus daughter and her Rhodesian Ridgeback, Roo. In this episode, Rina describes her unique introduction to yoga in her 20's and how she dove head first into a full time career as a young age. She also opens up about how her anger struggles as a child have created a passion for her to share this practice with children. Her story of starting her company Super Yogis, which began as kids yoga classes and has developed into online kids yoga videos, is fascinating and inspiring. Rina's contagious joy and ability to truly empathize with children by "putting it on" (putting on the child's experience as if it is her own) is so impactful. Listen in to this conversation and feel ignited to follow your own dreams!