Budding Yoga

Mindfulness and movement for schools, families and children. Wellness for teachers and students.

12/22/2025

While school breaks are great for recharging, the sudden change of routine can actually increase anxiety and stress for teachers and students alike. 😰 This is sometimes linked to "leisure sickness," where stress hormones drop rapidly after a long period of high demand.

These shifts of routine disruption can contribute to feeling less mentally and physically well during a break or even after returning to school. It’s not uncommon for us to return from a break feeling like we need more time to relax!

This is why mindfulness during school breaks is so important. Mindfulness practices help regulate the nervous system, support emotional awareness, and provide a sense of continuity when external structures change. 🧘

Rather than expecting instant relaxation, mindfulness invites both adults and students to transition gently, supporting wellbeing not only during the break, but long after school resumes. 🙌

12/18/2025

I was asked a bit ago to support a child in an out-of-school program.
Before I could even begin, this child looked at me and said,
“Don’t tell me to breathe. It doesn’t work!”

Through my work with kids and their teachers and families, I hear and see what works in classrooms and at home and how important meeting a child or teen where they are in that moment.

Here's what I've observed:
✨ Kids respond best to breathwork that offers choice
✨ Breath that uses imagery and play
✨ Breath that is modeled and shared

Many kids (and adults 😊) shut down any assistance when they feel angry, misunderstood, or overstimulated. But when breathing becomes an invitation instead of instruction, something shifts.

Science backs this up. The nervous system feels safest when there is predictability, and connection. Breathwork activates the parasympathetic nervous system calming the stress. Imagination , fun, and music 🎶 added to breathwork can help engage the brain in a way that bypasses resistance. And modeling works because kids learn through co-regulation, which can give us adults a moment of peace, as well!

So instead of saying, “Take a deep breath,” we might try:
🌬️ “Want to pretend we’re blowing up a giant balloon? Or "Let's make this pinwheel spin as fast as you can!"
🌬️ Breath with them either in a partner pose or using a breathing script made for children.
🌬️ Letting them choose what feels good in their body.

What kind of breathing actually works for your child or students?
What are your success stories? Drop it in the comments 💬

10/28/2025

Looking forward to offering this free professional development: The 5 Cs to Effective Communication with Parents for Starting Point NEO! This virtual training has lots of time for role-playing and discussion on positive and calm communication! Please join us by registering at: 👇 or scan the QR code! https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=-adKgVAHx0il_1mShkEG-C0VFidI4SFKneV4OldvZN9URVlEWktTSzBXVEhYRVlPTjZBUUZaRFBOWC4u&route=shorturl

10/17/2025

I had the pleasure of presenting to an amazing group of school SLPs and educational audiologists on how we can use literature for so much more than telling stories. We brought the outside in, moved, used our breath, communicated, and created art as we experienced some of the best books out there! I will never cease to be grateful and impressed at the love and care educators share with our children. Thank you OSSPEAC for the opportunity to spend time together!

10/10/2025

We are so happy presenting a session on neurodivergent support today at the Starting Point OST Symposium! Stop by and say hi at our booth too!

09/16/2025

Thrilled to be part of the OST Symposium 2025 hosted by Starting Point NEO! This year’s theme, United in Strength: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities, speaks to the heart of what we do: building meaningful connections and empowering youth.

I’ll be presenting alongside incredible educators, so if you’re attending, let’s connect and spark new ideas together!

Tickets are going fast, learn more here: OST Event Page 👇
https://starting-point.org/events/out-of-school-time-symposium-2025/

09/13/2025

Join me at the Quest Conference Center on October 14th in Columbus, Ohio for the OSSPEAC 2025 Conference!

Registration now open!👇
https://osspeac.org/2025-conference-2/

09/12/2025

Starting Point Out of School Time has free professional workshops! I love being able to present Ground and Grow, a staff and caregivers' session all about YOU! Plan on joining us on Tuesday morning at 10:00, September 23rd.

Here's how to register: 👇
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=-adKgVAHx0il_1mShkEG-C0VFidI4SFKneV4OldvZN9UQVFLWVNCTThBRzc0QTRCVkZWVVdZSDMxSy4u&route=shorturl

Bring a friend, colleague or your whole team. Do it for you, do it for them!

09/05/2025

Global Wellness Institute has recently shared new data shows running clubs have surged in growth across the globe. In the article by Athletechnews.com, Strava a social fitness platform with more than 76 million global users, data shows how small habits are helping athletes sustain consistency.

Global Wellness for Children promotes inclusive physical, emotional and social wellbeing of all children. The benefits of running for youth, especially teens, can be life changing! Enhanced mood, stronger heart and lungs, improved cognitive function, increased confidence, and better sleep are just a few. A running club grows a feeling of belonging, builds social skills, and supports resilience.

As a runner, there is nothing like a run to connect your mind, body, and spirit, reducing stress and giving you a sense of accomplishment.

There are opportunities for kids and teens groups out there, groups like Marathon Kids, Girls on the Run International, and more!

Tell us about your program in the comments below! 👇

Let's work together for healthier kids and teens across the globe.

Here is the link for the running group article: https://athletechnews.com/strava-mid-year-data-running-cycling/
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09/04/2025

Hope you can join me at the Starting Point OST Symposium on Friday, October 10, 2025! I am looking forward to sharing two interactive sessions to support staff on Effective Communication with Parents and Inclusive Visual Supports for all youth. Scan code to register now!

07/24/2025

Our Peace Pack is now in the School Health Catalog!

Learning to manage big emotions takes practice. That’s why we made the Peace Pack - to go wherever you go! It has everything you need to give you the space and tools to take a moment to pause. The activities in the bag allow you to grow calm, independence, and confidence to manage your wellbeing. Includes the highly recommended book: The Peace Plan with progress chart and well-ements poster!

06/28/2025

Early morning group for our talk on nature and holistic early childhood development! What a devoted group of professionals at the Early Childhood Summit.❤️

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