Deb Ambrose
ChildLight Yoga Instructor
iRest® Yoga Nidra Teacher
One of my favorite memories is playing school with friends in the basement of our home. I was one of those fortunate children whose early school experiences included some teachers who enjoyed and encouraged the connection of the wonder and joy of children with the love of learning. My favorite classes were Art, Music and Dance which awakened a sense of being free as well as a connection with others.
My first yoga class in college was reminiscent of those early childhood experiences of inner peace, freedom and connection. In the following years I was excited to share this experience with my Middle and High School students in our Health Class. There was limited public support for teaching yoga in the public schools at the time, however, I was fortunate to teach in a community in CNY that supported an environment for their children to explore values, attitudes and behaviors that could enhance their physical, social and emotional wellness. I was also fortunate to work with a principal who was open-minded and respected my judgement. Being aware that some parents might be skeptical of yoga in school, he joked about me not burning incense during a yoga class, and I assured him the blankets and candles were my only props!
Seven years later I was offered an opportunity to work in a unique school-based drug prevention program that provided schools with information, education and counseling services. It was exciting and rewarding to counsel and teach children skills that build resilience and a positive sense of well-being. After a class on Guided Relaxation some Middle School students would often ask if we could have these relaxation sessions in our Friendship Group/Lunch meetings at least once a month. They knew they had a need for more time for inner stillness! At a recent children’s yoga class, I had an experience where the majority of children (ages 5-10) chose to extend their relaxation over going to lunch. Again, I’m hearing children clearly express their need for more inner stillness. It is exciting and encouraging to hear that some public schools are recognizing the correlation with yoga and enhancing the emotional and social intelligence of children…along with a host of many other benefits.
Over the last 30 years, my yoga practice included a home practice and experiences with different practices at studios or retreats. After retirement, I wanted to dedicate more time to my practice. I found a teacher and friend who has given me the gifts of learning new asanas and mindfulness practices that have helped me to be in touch with my true nature…which is peaceful, hopeful and connected with the mystery and beauty of life. During this same time, I have had the privilege of joining my young granddaughter in a children’s yoga class. Seeing, hearing and feeling the joy of yoga shared with children has been beautiful…and inspiring!
My heart began to feel a yearning to connect with children and share the gifts of yoga. So with the encouragement of my yoga friends and a supportive husband, daughter and granddaughter, I completed a Children’s Yoga Teacher Training with Childlight Yoga, LLC. My personal yoga practice and feeling children’s excitement about their yoga experience has inspired me to continue to learn and improve upon my work with children. I have learned that children’s yoga is unique. Because we all know and appreciate that children learn best through play, it follows that children’s yoga is a blend of brief peaceful moments of practicing poses and breathing mixed with fun-filled moments of music, dancing, and drawing that is loads of fun!
I am honored, excited and look forward to nourishing children’s minds, bodies and spirits by sharing the joy and treasures of yoga with children.
Peace,
Deb Ambrose
ChildLight Yoga Instructor
iRest® Yoga Nidra Teacher
One of my favorite memories is playing school with friends in the basement of our home. I was one of those fortunate children whose early school experiences included some teachers who enjoyed and encouraged the connection of the wonder and joy of children with the love of learning. My favorite classes were Art, Music and Dance which awakened a sense of being free as well as a connection with others.
My first yoga class in college was reminiscent of those early childhood experiences of inner peace, freedom and connection. In the following years I was excited to share this experience with my Middle and High School students in our Health Class. There was limited public support for teaching yoga in the public schools at the time, however, I was fortunate to teach in a community in CNY that supported an environment for their children to explore values, attitudes and behaviors that could enhance their physical, social and emotional wellness. I was also fortunate to work with a principal who was open-minded and respected my judgement. Being aware that some parents might be skeptical of yoga in school, he joked about me not burning incense during a yoga class, and I assured him the blankets and candles were my only props!
Seven years later I was offered an opportunity to work in a unique school-based drug prevention program that provided schools with information, education and counseling services. It was exciting and rewarding to counsel and teach children skills that build resilience and a positive sense of well-being. After a class on Guided Relaxation some Middle School students would often ask if we could have these relaxation sessions in our Friendship Group/Lunch meetings at least once a month. They knew they had a need for more time for inner stillness! At a recent children’s yoga class, I had an experience where the majority of children (ages 5-10) chose to extend their relaxation over going to lunch. Again, I’m hearing children clearly express their need for more inner stillness. It is exciting and encouraging to hear that some public schools are recognizing the correlation with yoga and enhancing the emotional and social intelligence of children…along with a host of many other benefits.
Over the last 30 years, my yoga practice included a home practice and experiences with different practices at studios or retreats. After retirement, I wanted to dedicate more time to my practice. I found a teacher and friend who has given me the gifts of learning new asanas and mindfulness practices that have helped me to be in touch with my true nature…which is peaceful, hopeful and connected with the mystery and beauty of life. During this same time, I have had the privilege of joining my young granddaughter in a children’s yoga class. Seeing, hearing and feeling the joy of yoga shared with children has been beautiful…and inspiring!
My heart began to feel a yearning to connect with children and share the gifts of yoga. So with the encouragement of my yoga friends and a supportive husband, daughter and granddaughter, I completed a Children’s Yoga Teacher Training with Childlight Yoga, LLC. My personal yoga practice and feeling children’s excitement about their yoga experience has inspired me to continue to learn and improve upon my work with children. I have learned that children’s yoga is unique. Because we all know and appreciate that children learn best through play, it follows that children’s yoga is a blend of brief peaceful moments of practicing poses and breathing mixed with fun-filled moments of music, dancing, and drawing that is loads of fun!
I am honored, excited and look forward to nourishing children’s minds, bodies and spirits by sharing the joy and treasures of yoga with children.
Peace,
Deb Ambrose
