Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: Olympic Inspiration

This week's kids yoga classes are inspired by the Winter Olympics - Milano Cortina 2026. To give you a glimpse of what a kids yoga class based on the Olympics looks like, here’s a little of what I came up with:

-Flying to Italy (airplane pose in the middle of the room/at the wall)
-Marching in the opening ceremonies (follow the leader with unique ways of moving in a line while listening to the Olympic Theme)
-Participating in events like cross country skiing (chair pose, swing arms), snowboarding (warrior 2 variation), hockey (goddess pose) and curling (low lunge/lizard) to name just a few. 
-For rest we start in luge pose (lay on backs and lift head) before we relax like a proud olympian after their event

If you want more, I'm happy to share with you my full detailed Winter Olympics Kids Yoga lesson plan. We also have a Winter Olympics playlist specifically designed to go with class (complete with a resting song at the end), so you can get in the spirit at home or the classroom!

Your Integrated Kid.

I have just come off a weekend intensive, and my world has been smashed open, again, as it often does at trainings like these. It usually starts with me walking into a room shaking with fear (why am I so nervous?) to lay out my mat with dozens of strangers. Then I practice integration with them, which, let me say, often feels just plain exposing. It's all of me, right there on my mat for everyone to see, exposed.

Since my first yoga class EVER in 2007, as a newly engaged young adult, at the Bayview & Sheppard YMCA, I have sought out this integration. Of course I didn't know what it was then, but I've stuck with this yoga-thing through all the ups and downs. And believe me, there have been ups and downs. Tears, anger, intolerance, swearing to myself that I must just walk away because it's too hard, and yet I have always known deep down that I must stay with and hold on to the integrity. Do what feels integral & strive for unity - every part of my body looked for it then and continues to look for it now. And another small piece of it was found this past weekend.

This journey of integration, or to make into a whole by bringing all parts together, is what Appleseed supports in this world. It's why I practice and it's why I deliver these teachings to your kids. It's the pursuit of finding integration, in all parts of our lives.

So if you're on this page, join me. Let's see what our kids can look like as integrated beings. And let's try our best to not let them lose that integration, as we throw them out into the world little by little. Because it's damn scary, this world of ours, and we ought to give them the greatest chance we possibly can of spreading the light we all know is there.

For the pursuit of integration,
Megan

Our Top 10 Kids Yoga and Mindfulness Books

Over here at Appleseed we are OBSESSED with Kids Yoga and Mindfulness books.  After almost 3 years of extensive research and testing (on the kids I teach and my own babies), I've curated a list of books that will capture the attention of your child and truly edify their soul during these formative years!  You can find a book in this list for children between the ages of 1 and 12.

This list is sure to expand, evolve and change as this genre of material continues to grow, but here is Appleseed’s Top 10 Yoga and Mindfulness Books for 2019!

1.  Yoga Bug by Sarah Jane Hinder - This sweet boardbook is loved by every Appleseed toddler that has come into contact with it!  Each page associates a well-known bug with a pose and children love to move their bodies as the pages turn.  The Bug theme is expansive and sweet. (Ages birth-4)

2.  I’m The Biggest Thing In The Ocean by Kevin Sherry - Technically not a yoga book, this one makes the cut with it’s simple text and sweet oceanic creatures on each page!  Children are taken up by the story and looooove the buildup and surprise ending! (Ages 18 mos - 5)

3.  Meddy Teddy: Mindful Poses for Little Yogis - This board book goes well with a Meddy Teddy as a gift for your child!  Kids are always inspired to move their Meddy Teddy and their own bodies as they turn each page.  We sometimes use this book in our Namastuffy classes! (Ages 2 - 12)

4.  You Are A Lion! By Taeeun Yoo - This book is a great one as each page includes sweet children in various animal poses and also inspires their natural sounds!  The famous lion’s breath is always a hit with kids of any age - something they often aren’t encouraged to do outside of yoga class!  (Ages 2-8)

5.  I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds - This book is part of a fantastic series that will have great philosophical impact on the next generation.   Just as Appleseed hopes to ultimately accomplish in this world, this book highlights the fundamental connectedness of humans and their natural state of perfect imperfection. (Ages 6-12)

6. ABC Mindful Me by Christiane Engel - We love this book in our home since the boys can enjoy it on their own accord! The pictures are simple, colourful, and remind us of some of the values we hold close: love of nature, presence, and creativity! (Ages 2-8)

7. Breathe Like A Bear by Kira Willey & Anni Betts- If you teach kids (no matter the setting), or are a parent, this book is a fantastic tool. It is comprised of 30 exercises to calm, focus, imagine, energize, and relax children. These lessons are invaluable in connecting to kids and supporting them (and yourself) regardless of the situation! (Ages 2-12)

8. Yoga Bunny by Brian Russo - Each kid I read this book to loves it! The natural progression of Bunny’s yoga adventure captures a child’s attention beautifully. We also learn a few key benefits to yoga alongside sweet and simple illustrations! (Ages 3-8)

9. The Yoga Game: In The Garden by Kathy Beliveau & Denise Holmes - Children are magnetized to this book. The game that takes place through the pages holds each child’s focus and they enjoy guessing the animal and then performing the pose! Look out for the By The Sea version too! (Ages 4-8)

10. Good Night Yoga by Mariam Gates - Who can’t use a book with poses to help calm and prepare their child for sleep? This book does just that and also is helpful for the mindful parent as well. Children love looking for the sweet moon kitten through the story. There is optional text instructing the pose which makes this book easily adapted for younger or older children. (Ages 2-8)

Do you have any other favourite Kids Yoga and Mindfulness books? We’d love to hear!

Peace!

Megan

5 Reasons Your Family Will Love Saturday Yoga!

It’s Friday afternoon and the excitement of the approaching weekend is soaring! You finally get to have a relaxed morning with the family, or if the stars align, maybe even an extra hour of sleep!!

Starting your family’s weekend with a yoga class at Appleseed gives you time to reconnect after a long week. Here are 5 other reasons your family will LOVE Saturday Yoga:

1. Family Time.  At our Saturday classes, you always remain with your child.  This means you get in serious family time and needn’t worry about if your child feels comfortable in class.

2. Always Drop-In.  Our drop-in classes are convenient for you!  If you need to visit family, someone is sick, or there’s a giant snow-storm, you can miss a class with no penalty.

3. Burns Energy.  Your child will be tired out after yoga! Cheers to a solid nap or low-key Saturday afternoon for the whole family. 

4. Uniqueness.  Our programming at Appleseed is unique, no doubt about it.  We are constantly using our creative imaginations, building inspiring stories, and connecting to ourselves, each other, our community at large, and the earth.  Where else do all these things happen?

5. FAMILY SAVASANA.  If you haven’t been to an Appleseed class yet, I can’t wait to show you our typical savasana.  After a class of fun, sweat, and laughter, you will be overjoyed to rest alongside your family.  Snuggle time comes with cushions, blankets, sweet music, foot massages and a surprising amount of stillness!

We look forward to seeing you soon!  Toddler Yoga is at 9am and Family Yoga is at 11:30am each and every Saturday.

For the Love of our Families,

Megan