K I D S O N T H E M A T
YOGItimes magazine for the modern yogi
Natarajasana/Dancer Pose
by Claudia Lewis Brainard
I am sure you all know that Yogidoggi loves to dance. What’s more, Dancer Pose or Natarajasana, is one of his favorites once his back is nice and warmed up. It is such a great pose for opening up the thighs, shoulders and spine. It’s a balance pose too.
When you first start with this pose, it’s good to have a strap ready, just in case. Beginners, stand on your right leg and reach your left hand around behind you to take a hold of your left foot. Pull the foot in towards the butt and keep your knees close together. Now, extend your right arm out in front of you. As you become more confident, lean forward and kick your left foot away from the buttocks. Once you have mastered this, take your strap and put it around the left foot. Hold the other end with both hands reaching behind your head. As you breathe deeply, walk your hands down the strap to meet the foot. Eventually your hands will reach back to find the foot without the strap.
Take at least five deep breaths in the pose, wag your tail and change sides.
Mantra for Munchkins

Imagine a lifestyle where a child or teen could meet their life’s challenges with an emphasis on spirituality. It would be great for parents too!
Mantra for munchkins? Karma for kids? In the mood for a good attitude? These were the questions to consider in the development of a student outreach program that delivers physical fitness along with emotional development. In 2000, Jenifer Mudd and Jennifer Webb, both with backgrounds in fitness and education, looked at the serious lack of PE teachers, organized fitness programs and extracurricular resources in California public schools and wanted to make a difference. Inspired by yoga and its benefits of calmness, focus, fitness and personal wellness, YOGA123 was developed into a 35-minute, 12-week California state-aligned PE curriculum. It was designed to teach physical fitness with a “twist” of positive messaging, attitude development, non-competitive behavior, self-confidence building and academic focus.
When initially piloted at schools in Los Angeles, teachers and students reacted positively to the program that encourages physical movement, strengthening, stretching and coordination. Students also benefited from learning skills to develop self-esteem, positive attitude, focus and respect for others. This was accomplished partly through incorporating words-of-the-day (such as “community” and “peace”) and using “mood-and-attitude cards” through the yoga sessions to identify with feelings.
In 2003, YOGA123 was adopted by P.S. I Love You Foundation, a 501C3 non-profit dedicated to nurturing at-risk youths through outreach as their first major implemented community initiative. The charity was attracted to inspiring positive attitudes and healthy lifestyles. P.S. I Love You Foundation founder Patricia Jones believes YOGA123’s unique program is a wonderful tool for young students in low-income areas. Thus they are targeting “Title One” schools where at-risk youths generally display a lack of well-being.
Jones says, “the majority react positively to yoga – moving through the poses, breathing, learning new words that teach students that it is O.K. to have feelings.” Student response has included sharing imagery during savasana, holding hands, resolving fights on the playground, focusing better in class following exercise, and learning the YOGA123 Mantra.
Shawn Spare, 3rd grade teacher at Birney Elementary in Redondo Beach says “a physical outlet is critical for children” – especially when formal PE programs are deleted due to state-budget cuts. Parents say their kids come home and ask to “do” yoga with them – potentially bringing families closer together. But most importantly, “YOGA123 helps children learn values and tools they can rely on forever. With healthy-living skills, children learn what it takes to handle their not-always forgiving world.

”P.S. I Love You Foundation’s goal is for school teachers and foundations to have a ready-made, easy program they can use with confidence. For the upcoming year, P.S. I Love You Foundation is implementing this program at Richstone Family Center and is searching for additional resources (funding and yoga teachers) to keep the initiative going in the LA Area. By September 2004, 60 schools may benefit from YOGA123.

The goal of everyone involved is to make a difference to our children, at-risk and affluent alike. If YOGA123 can positively impact kids through the use of breath, movement and encouraging messages, we can help create a more peaceful, loving world.

yoga123.org and psiloveyoufoundation.org