Classroom Heartbeat: How to use Yoga & Mindfulness to create a caring community
In this one day workshop, I will share:
- My 6 “heartbeats”: practical, fun, and effective techniques to infuse yoga, mindfulness, kindness and caring into the day
- Developmentally appropriate and classroom friendly yoga poses, breathing techniques, and relaxation strategies for JK – Grade 4 students
- Why it is so much more powerful for YOU to teach your students yoga instead of a video
- A deep appreciation for teachers who, despite the current climate and challenges in education, still love teaching and know, in their hearts, how critical their role is in supporting the well being of children
- Some restorative yoga for YOU to help you reflect and relax before the school year begins
At this point in my professional life, I want to share something that is manageable but still very impactful, thoughtful, and inspiring as you transition from summer holidays to a new school year. It will be a workshop teaching creative ways to share yoga and mindfulness with children but, more than that, it will also be a reminder to YOU about how important you, and the environment you create, are to the children in your care.
I’ve always called my workshops for teachers Classroom Heartbeat because it is my belief that the teacher creates the heartbeat of the classroom. This might be conscious or unconscious but, regardless, we play a huge role in determining whether there is a calm, steady heartbeat or an unpredictable one in the spaces we share with children.
I acknowledge that this is a big statement and that some years it is much, much more difficult to be that calm, steady adult. But, we are the adults and it is our job to find ways to cultivate the most fertile soils for learning and being.
The day I’ve planned is organized, so much fun, and full of easy to implement, developmentally appropriate ideas for JK – Grade 4 students. When you share what you’ve learned with your students, it will feel good to their bodies, minds, and hearts.
And it will feel good to your body, mind, and heart, too…I promise!
By the end of our time together, you will have many new, practical ideas to bring back some of the light and magic to your classroom. You will also be reconnected to how much teaching matters, how the quality of your relationship with children impacts their school year, and how some simple yoga and mindfulness tools can help build the caring classroom community that kids and teachers deserve.
Pre-requisites and notes:
It is recommended that you have a personal yoga or mindfulness practice…or you are interested in starting one! It is our belief that teaching happens from an embodied place.
You will receive a detailed manual and, at the end of the training, you will receive a certificate of completion.
KIDS’ YOGA One Day Workshop
CLASSROOM HEARTBEAT: How to use Yoga & Mindfulness to create a caring community
Commitment: 8 hours
Dates & Times: Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023 / 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Yoga Therapy Toronto / 692 Bloor St. West / Toronto
Cost: $199 (includes HST)
*Please note that this summer’s training is being offered at a reduced rate (regular $249) because photos will be taken periodically for use on my new website. If faces are shown, I will seek permission from participants.
Space is limited to 20 participants. To register for the training, please contact me directly to ensure there is still space. It is helpful if you include a little about your background (classroom teacher, yoga teacher etc.).
Please note: You must be able to attend the entire day in order to receive your certificate of completion. Please plan accordingly before confirming registration.
You are welcome to email me at danachapman@beebirch.com to hold your spot. Your spot is considered confirmed once a deposit ($50) or full payment has been received via etransfer. I am happy to issue a receipt.
As you can read from the testimonials below (from my 3 day training), this new one day version will be taught from the heart–with so much respect for both the magic and imagination of childhood and the challenges inherent in developing and growing into a conscious person. It will also be taught from a place of understanding that the connection we, as conscious adults, foster with children provides the foundation for all the kindness, fun, and trust that follows.
I hope you can join us!
“The hallmark of a brilliant training is the ability to take a group of people through a process that leaves them wholly changed. Dana’s kids’ yoga teacher training is executed seamlessly, and students are completely supported by her careful planning, experience as a teacher, attention to detail and her knowledge of group process. I was thrilled with the comprehensive manual, and I left the training with the ability to teach an excellent kids yoga class. However, the best part for me, was that I left the training with a more playful and gentle approach to being a parent, and these tools have helped to shape the time I spend with my own children. I would highly recommend this training to any teacher or parent looking to enhance the quality of their interactions with children through mindfulness and movement.”
~Tracey Soghrati, Soghrati Yoga
“I had originally signed up for the Kids Yoga Teacher Training through Birch Bee with the intent to broaden my yoga experience and to share my love of Yoga with my own three children. After only a few short hours of Dana’s course I felt compelled to share this gift with more that just my children. I was inspired to take the training and skills I was learning and share it on many different levels. Dana is such a wonderful teacher. She is engaging, kind and so knowledgeable. She creates such a comfortable and engaging environment. I found the experience with Dana to truly be life changing. Since completing my training I have been teaching kids yoga classes at a studio in my community. Just within the last year I have branched out to include five kids classes a week with the addition of birthday parties and speciality camps. I can’t thank Dana enough for sharing her gift with me, I am forever grateful of my time with her. “
~Shayna Naus, Yoga Blossom for Kids
“The three day Kids’ Yoga Teacher Training with Bee Birch Yoga Therapy far exceeded my expectations. Dana’s material is thoughtful, well-crafted and masterfully delivered. It’s obvious Dana is passionate about kids and about her work with them. She holds a space in the room that is intelligent, gentle and inspiring – both as a teacher of students and a teacher of teachers. I would recommend this course to teachers and parents alike – anyone who spends time with children and wants to make that relationship richer.”
~Carla Weinstein
“Taking Dana’s Yoga Teacher Training for Children was very informative and inspiring to me as an educator. Dana’s lessons were rich with content and her delivery of the subject was masterful. Being a Drama and Dance educator in the TDSB I was inspired to combine some of the yoga poses I learned with creative dance as well as the theme of newcomers to Canada. Using Dana’s Yoga Story Map I created a practice lesson that combined the above three elements. I look forward to using this method with future Drama and Dance lessons that are rooted in social justice issues. This training encouraged me to be more confident in my body and as a teacher. I highly recommend this course.”
~Megan Johnston
“Dana’s 3 day Kids Yoga Teacher Training offered me a new and effective way to connect with children in both my professional and personal life. Each day is playful, fun and joyful. Dana is an inspiring leader who is able to govern adults through the eyes and ears of children. Her manual is a wonderful resource offering great information and research. I recommend this training for any parent hoping to learn new ways to connect to their kids; any yoga instructor hoping to work with children; and any grade school teacher hoping to include yoga and/or mindfulness in their classroom. Dana’s kids yoga teacher training is worth while and not one to miss! “
~Naomi Zahler
“Participating in Dana’s 3 day training was the best training I’ve had in a very long time. I had so much fun, learned so much, and left feeling so excited to jump in feet first to teaching kids and teens. Dana left no stone unturned. Her passion came through in every part of her training, from training manuals to activities to providing resources to role plays. And who would have thought that learning philosophy and childhood development could be as interesting as it was: all due to Dana’s teaching style. Thank you, Dana. Only one question: when can I sign up for KYTT Level 2?” ~Alyson
