Monkinya, Vancouver, BC (2026)

10/15/2025

It’s time to say goodbye to Monkin Kids 💛

For eight beautiful years, our little Monkins have brightened homes and classrooms around the world.

A new, hand-drawn generation is coming to life — and you’ll help shape them!

Follow along in stories for sketches, colours, and behind-the-scenes magic (it might get a little messy 🌸).

In the meantime, all current digital items are 50% off on Etsy with code GOODBYE — available for the next couple of weeks. ✨

09/08/2025

Research shows that the same activity can have completely different outcomes for children’s well-being depending on whether they see it as play or not. When children perceive something as play, they experience more autonomy, confidence, and joy: the very foundations of emotional well-being.

This connects beautifully with BC’s Early Learning Framework, which views play as the basis of learning, and with research reminding us that adults have a critical role in creating playful opportunities.

At Monkinya, we put theory into practice by making yoga and mindfulness playful and fun; because children learn best through joy and meaning.

📚 References:

Howard & McInnes (2012) The impact of children’s perception of an activity as play rather than not play on emotional well-being

Solis, Liu & Popp (2020) Learning to cope through play – Lego Foundation

Government of BC (2019) Early Learning Framework

09/07/2025

Hello Monkinya family!
After a long summer break, we’re back! Recharged, renewed, and so excited to share fresh classes, workshops, tools + mindful tips with you 🤍

And what better way to begin than with this reminder:

“I am calm and peaceful. I create peace for myself.”

This season, we’re stepping into peace, presence, and playful parenting together.

🪷 Our beautiful affirmation cards are finally available in our Etsy shop! (Canada delivery only)

🌍 Not in Canada? You can still grab the printable versions and start using them right away.

08/19/2025

My little camper 🏕️

07/09/2025

Play like you mean it!

07/04/2025

Bedtime routines are essential for children, and we’ve tried many. Some helped, most didn’t last.

Then Roger the Rabbit 🐰 hopped onto our shelf and things changed. 🌙

The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep feels more like a gentle bedtime script than a story. Its slow rhythm calms me as I read, and here’s the magic: my daughter now brings it over herself, asking, “Can we read the sleepy rabbit?” 😴

That tiny question shows she’s noticing when she’s tired. Spotting and meeting her own need for sleep is a big step toward self-regulation. (There are numerous studies on this, which I will share next!)

So our nights are simple now: PJs, bunny book, lights low. Some evenings still burst into giggles, songs and never-ending stories, but now this book signals it is time for bed. 💚 And I’ll take it 🤗

Next post, I’ll dive into the research on how mindfulness and emotional regulation support better sleep and continue sharing our favourite 🙃 Stay tuned!

07/03/2025

Last weekend, my daughter (age 3) reminded me that children don’t just talk about their experiences, but live them again through art, play, movement and imagination.
Earlier that day, she fell at the park and scraped her both knees. Later, as we were colouring yoga poses together after a short and fun practice, she pointed to the drawing, coloured the knees blue and said: “He’s got two ouchies, Mommy!”
And just like that, her experience found a voice through crayons.
This moment brought me back to the approach, which as an educator, I find closest to my values; that “Children have a hundred languages”.
Not all of them are verbal, some are drawings, movements, sounds, or stillness… Our role is to slow down enough to listen.

06/18/2025

I created Bring Mindfulness into Your Home back in 2017 — before I became a parent myself. At the time, I was working closely with children and families and saw how simple mindfulness practices could help children feel more grounded, connected, and emotionally supported.

Since then, the workshop has slowly evolved — shaped by the many families I’ve crossed paths with over the years, and by my own learning around how these practices actually live inside real homes, in the middle of everyday noise, mess, and beautiful chaos.

Next week, I’ll be offering it again — as a free, in-person session in Vancouver.

🗓 Wednesday, June 25
🕡 6:30–8:00 PM
📍 Canadian Memorial Church

This workshop is for parents and caregivers who are looking for gentle, practical tools to bring more calm and connection into family life — through breath, movement, art, and daily rituals that feel doable.

✨ You can register through the link in my bio.
Space is limited.

Thank you for your beautiful words 🧡

05/17/2025

“Did you have fun?” It’s the question we all default to after kids’ yoga—but it shrinks the practice down to pure entertainment and stops the conversation before it starts.
Kids’ yoga can be calm‑finding, courage‑building, body‑wise magic ✨ if we ask the right follow‑ups.
Enter the S.O.C.K. question (Specific • Open‑ended • Creative • Kid‑friendly)

💌 Want the full PDF with 33 questions for ages 7 +? Comment “QUESTIONS” and I’ll DM the download link.
S.O.C.K. framework inspired by .co and shared here with permission.

04/30/2025

I’m excited to share that I’ll be leading Level 1 of ‘s Trauma-Sensitive Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher Training (0–6 years) — the same training I completed with Katie a few years ago. 🥹
It had a big impact on how I teach and how I connect with children, both on and off the mat. 🩵
This level focuses on children aged 0–6 years, and we’ll explore topics including child development, the nervous system, yoga beyond the mat, and best practices for leading trauma-informed classes.

If this training has been on your radar, this is the last chance to join Level 1 before Level 2 launches online in September. 💜

📅 Dates: June 6-8
📍 Location: Port Moody, BC

Please send a DM for more details or visit the link in bio.

04/17/2025

Does your child ever get overwhelmed by big feelings they don’t know how to express?
Are you looking for a gentle, creative way to help them slow down, reflect, and feel safe?

I created the Weekly Mindfulness Journal for Kids because I’ve seen how powerful simple, mindful habits can be.

As a certified mindfulness trainer and educator with over 10 years of experience working with children, I’ve used this exact tool in my own classes and now, I’m so excited to share it with you.

This printable PDF journal is designed for kids to enjoy at their own pace, in their own space.

What’s Inside:

🖐️ 5-Finger Breathing Exercise
😊 Daily Emotion Check-ins
💖 Gratitude Prompts
⭐ “3 Good Things” Reflection
🎨 Affirmation Coloring
📓 Creative Journaling Pages
📘 Simple How-To Guide to get started with ease

Simple. Intentional. A quiet space for kids to feel, reflect, and just be. Suitable for ages 6+

Print it once. Use it forever.

💡 Available in A4 & US Letter PDF format.
🎁 Perfect for homes, classrooms, therapy sessions, and quiet time routines.

Comment MINDFUL for the link to download the journal or visit the link in bio!

03/12/2025

Ordinary moments that are not so ordinary. Slow, intentional and everything I once dreamed of. 🤍

Monkinya

10/15/2025

09/08/2025

09/07/2025

08/19/2025

07/09/2025

07/04/2025

07/03/2025

06/18/2025

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04/30/2025

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03/12/2025

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