Our In-school Program
Bringing Yoga & Mindfulness To Schools & Youth Organizations |
Pre-K through 12th grade
Our in-school program brings our award winning yoga and mindfulness curriculum directly to the class room so that the many benefits of yoga can be enjoyed during the school day. We invite you to read the information below at your leisure. If you would like us to meet with you in person so that you may learn more or to help you determine the best way to integrate yoga into your school or youth program, please call Gail at 215 238 0989 to set up a site meeting.
We now offer a new way to bring yoga to your students.
Option #1 - We teach your students
Our staff comes to your school and teaches yoga and mindfulness in the class room or in a designated yoga room in your school. We have been successfully teaching yoga this way in area schools since 2002.
Option #2 -We teach your teachers how to teach their students
We now offer a training program where we train the teachers and support staff in your school or organization so that they are qualified to teach yoga and mindfulness to your students. For details on this option, please email gail@yogachild.net or call Gail at 215 238 0989 as we are currently updating our website to include the details on this option.
If you would like to receive a brochure in the mail, please click
on this link and submit your address via email.
YOGA |
Yoga is literally translated from the sanskrit language as yoke or union. Its
practical application can be understood as the integration of body, breath and
mind. Yoga encompasses a physical practice of postures and stretches, the use
of breath to calm and center, as well as an awareness in the mind of what one
is feeling and thinking. Yoga is physical, restorative and grounding.
Our Program |
Our nationally recognized program has been specifically designed to meet children where they are, both developmentally and emotionally. Our program draws from the basic tenets of yoga, and employs a
thematic approach so as to provide each student with an improved physical and emotional understanding of him or herself. Included in
our classes are: fundamental yoga postures, yoga games, relaxation methods, mindfulness & breathing practices, attention centering techniques, basic anatomy,
yoga literature, yoga journalling and music & songs where appropriate.
Pre-School and elementary children can enjoy fanciful yoga themes inspired by seasons and imaginary travels to rainforests, beaches, farms, zoos and even outer space. A typical yoga class will begin with a yoga game, followed by magical meditations, a yoga journey employing asana instruction, a yoga based story or song, a quiet game, a guided rest and time for sharing.
Pre-teens and high school students will learn yoga through introspective themes and practical life concepts such as establishing balance, creating strength, building endurance and expanding self awareness. A typical class begins with a discussion of the theme, followed by breathing and mindfulness techniques, asana instruction, guided rest, and literature or journaling.
Benefits of Children's Yoga |
Articles on the Benefits of Yoga & Mindfulness
New Focus on Mindfulness in Schools, New York Times, June 16, 2007
Please click on the above link and then type "mindfulness in schools" in the search box in order to view then June 16, 2007 article.
A Child's Peace, by Gail Silver
Regular participation in a children's yoga program can help children
Focus attention
Expand self awareness
Improve Self Expression
Increase self confidence
Promote self discipline
Appreciate stillness & peacefulness
Physically exercise their bodies
Improve physical coordination
And release stress
While having a good time!
| Accolades & Testimonials |
Parents' Choice Recommended Award, 2007 - "A Peaceful Place Inside", The Yoga Child Cd of magical meditations and melodious songs, written by Gail Silver. Vocals, Gail Silver and Robin Trent.
Best of City Search - 2007
Consultant for PBS Kid Sprout 2006 - Gail Silver and the Yoga Child staff were selected in 2005 to provide yoga script consulting and on site film consulting for the yoga segment of the "Good night Show" on PBS Kids Sprout.
Best of Philly, Children's program 2005,
Violet Magazine, Winter 2005, "Not Your Mothers Yoga" - A story featuring Gail Silver and the Yoga Child Children and Teen programs.
NBC 10, 2005, In honor of the Best of Philly award with "Best of Philly", NBC films a Yoga Child parent Child class at our South street Studio.
NPR, Voices in the Family. 2005- A Yoga Child class at the Greenfield Elementary school and interview with Gail Silver regarding the benefits of School time yoga.
Fox News, 2005 - Gail teaches yoga to mothers and Babies on the early morning news show.
NBC 10, 2005- Gail discusses the benefits of prental yoga and teaches a prental yoga class to expectant mothers on TV.
Parents Express Enterprising Woman of the Year, Gail Silver, 2004
___________________________
Testimonials
“Our preschool children love their weekly Yoga Child class. It's imaginative, expressive,
and, most of all, fun!”
Gloria Parris, Director, Society Hill Synogogue Pre-School
“Our teens truly enjoyed their yoga experience. They eagerly tried all the movements, participated in the breathing, and loved learning about what yoga actually is! Our
instructor adjusted every movement to fit each camper's ability so everyone felt successful. We had a camp reunion about three weeks ago and the campers are still talking about how ‘cool’ yoga is!”
Emily Beil, Epilepsy Foundation Camp Coordinator
“I highly recommend this wonderful service for any group of children. Their teachers are trained to create age appropriate and fun yoga experiences for children. Our campers displayed a relaxed and refreshed disposition after their classes. I was very pleased
with the Yoga Child program.”
Lynn Lember, Lutheran Children & Family Services
| Founder & Staff |
Founder
Gail Silver founded Yoga Child in 2002. Gail is a former Child Advocate Attorney with a certification in adult & children’s yoga. A student of yoga since 1993, Gail received her certifications in 1999. Through her dual work as a child advocate and yoga instructor, Gail realized the importance of providing children with a forum in which they could express themselves via body movement, breathing & vocalization. Born from her passions for yoga and children came the creation of Yoga Child. Since its' inception, Gail has received recognition from Philly Mama magazine, and has appeared on several local news shows to discuss the benefits of yoga. Gail provides editorials on the benefits of yoga to the Expectant Mothers Guide, has contributed to the KYW News educational report and is the Author of forthcoming childrens book, Anh's Anger, which will be released by Parallax Press in September 2009.
Staff
Yoga Instructors
All of our instructors have completed a 50 hour specialized Yoga Child training, which focuses exclusively on teaching yoga to tots, kids and teens in school settings. Each instructor completes 15 hours of field training under the supervision of experienced Yoga Child staff mentors.
Many of our instructors come to us with a prior adult yoga certification or advanced educational, movement and therapeutic degrees.
Each of these special instructors bring their own style of playful and inspiring energy along with their sincere dedication to sharing the joy of yoga with children.
Rates & Information |
Our packages can be designed for a 18 or 36 week time period. It is recommended that each group practice yoga at least once per week.
Dancing Sun Package
This package includes 6 hours or more of yoga instruction per week. $70/per hour
Dancing Moon Package
This package includes 3 -5 hours of yoga instruction per week. $75/hr
Dancing Star Package
This package includes 1-2 hours of yoga instruction per week. $80/hr
Terms & discounts
Payment for the 18 or 30 week period is due 30 days prior the start date and a 10% non refundable deposit is due upon signing of the contract.
A 5% discount is available for non- profit organizations
Payment plans and installment plans can be provided.
Recommended Class size & Lengths:
Pre K , 30 minutes
Grades K-3rd, 45 minutes
Grades 4-12, 45 - 60 minutes
Ideal class size recommendations
-Class size is best wehn limited to 20 students for grades 6-12
-Class size is best when limited to 14 students for grades 1-5
-Class size is best when limited to 10 students for Pre - k through Kindergarten
Miscellaneous
A teacher, facilitator or member of your support staff must be present during yoga instruction unless other arrangements have beenmade.
Mats or a carpeted area to be provided by your organization. We can help put you in touch with discount yoga mat sources.
