What does it look like when children enjoy story time, movement, and mindfulness activities?

Pure magic.

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Kids feel more connected.

They feel the link between their minds and bodies.

They engage, they learn, and they have fun.

Because kids benefit physically, mentally, and emotionally from fun educational experiences that blend story time, yoga, and mindfulness activities, Yogi Squad is on a mission to make yoga accessible to all children.

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Yogi Squad is a nonprofit organization that offers kids yoga classes in Fort Worth and through virtual, on-demand yoga classes videos for kids and families.

The benefits of blending yoga and story time for physical and mental health

Hi, I’m Brooke Blankenship. I'm an educator with more than 15 years of service as a teacher and librarian. I’ve worked at several different schools, primarily with lower-income students. I am also a certified children’s yoga instructor.

Working in our public schools, I witnessed the daily struggles families face, including outside influences that affect students and their behavior.

Standardized testing, financial struggles, extended families, grief—these are just a few of the challenges students face every day. For children, interpreting these challenges with their developing brains can mean they may experience confusion, trauma, and other big emotions, impacting their physical and mental health and self-esteem.

For teachers, the pressure is immense, and many educators are expected to take on the additional challenge of implementing social-emotional learning (SEL).

photo of Brook Blankenship by Amber Shumake

Why does every child need Yogi Squad?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 9.4% of children in the United States have been diagnosed with anxiety.

That’s about 5.8 million kids!

Anxiety can cause many symptoms including fatigue, headaches, stomachaches, and restless sleeping. And those big emotions children feel—fear, worry, anger, and irritability—may lead to behavior issues.

Yogi Squad is a unique program that blends mindful movement and story time to support the social, emotional, and mental health of students so they can excel. Integrating yoga into school programs can enhance students' mental health while also addressing behavioral and academic challenges.

Children learn by seeing, by hearing, and by doing. Research shows that yoga for children can lead to improved attention, emotional regulation, and self-compassion. It also helps decrease stress and anxiety, promoting both mental and physical health.

Yogi Squad methodology was born in the classroom

In 2017, I became a certified yoga instructor. Feeling the power of yoga and mindfulness activities, I knew I needed to share these practices with my students. I convinced my principal that I could teach yoga through literacy with books.

I watched my students become more aware of themselves, which allowed them to become more aware of others. Practicing yoga helped them manage excessive self-involvement and stress, promoting mental health and community within the school. Teaching my students to meditate felt like magic (it still does). It makes my heart swell with pride and delight every time.

Integrating a structured yoga practice into the curriculum also led to significant cognitive and emotional improvements among the students. This inclusive activity, adaptable for all body types and skill levels, emphasized internal awareness and mindfulness, contrasting with traditional physical education.

From this experience, I developed the curriculum I share in-person and through virtual Mindfulness Moments lessons.

Here are some of the benefits students experience:

When we teach students to feel calm and safe in their own bodies, they’re ready and available to receive anything we teach them. Incorporating mindful breathing exercises, such as taking a deep breath with a breath ball, helps children develop breath awareness and enhances their relaxation and mindfulness.
Children who practice mindful movement and mindful breathing think more logically, clearly, positively, and creatively.
These multi-sensory activities improve children’s abilities to resolve conflict, solve problems, and find new solutions.

Are you from a school looking for services?

Click below to request information on how to bring Yogi Squad services to your campus

Request Kids Yoga Services
Are you a parent or teacher looking for resources?

Click below to learn how to turn a child’s meltdowns into a mindful moment

Turn Meltdowns into Mindful Moments
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Literary connections

The connection of yoga and books creates the optimal environment for learning. Movement and music paired with books makes storytime more active, and learning less intense, more approachable, and fun.

Mindful magic

Mindfulness creates connection; to yourself and to others. When students are relaxed, social barriers can be admonished, and they are more likely to just be themselves.