Rise Yoga Kids with Danielle Larsen

11/12/2025

🌿 Small Moments, Big Impact

On Monday, I had the opportunity to spend some time in an upper elementary classroom working with a group of academic support students – and they were amazing! So open, so engaged, and so receptive to every tool we explored for finding calm, focus, and confidence within themselves.

At the end of one of the sessions, the teacher came up to me and said, “ I hope I didn’t seem rude – I was taking notes on everything you were teaching. I kept thinking how much my own child at home needs this and could really benefit from all of this.” I had assumed she was catching up on work- which wouldn’t have offended me in the least of course- but I was floored, in the best way possible.

Moments like that may seem small, but they’re everything to me. It’s the reminder that this work doesn’t just ripple through classrooms – it flows into homes, families, and hearts.

This is why I do what I do.
Helping kids and the adults who care for them find calm, connection, and resilience – one mindful moment at a time. 🌿✨

10/29/2025

Teachers are already doing so much. ❤️

That’s why at Rise Yoga and Mindfulness, we don’t add two teachers’ plates – we build on what’s already there in place.

We blend Responsive Classroom practices and mindfulness 🌿- using morning meetings, transitions, and daily routines as chances for calm, connection, and social-emotional growth.

As a former classroom teacher of many years, trained in Responsive Classroom, I’ve seen how beautifully it pairs with mindfulness – and for schools not yet using it, I love helping them infuse its core principles alongside mindful movement, breath, work, and emotional regulation strategies.

It’s not a new program.
It’s a more mindful way to do what’s already working. ✨

Together, we’re building, calm, connected, resilient classrooms – one breath and one relationship at a time. 💛

If your school or district is seeking a way to bring authentic SEL and mindfulness into the daily rhythm of the classroom – without overwhelming teachers – Rise Yoga and Mindfulness can help.

💌 Info@riseyoganj.com
🧑🏽‍💻 Riseyoganj.com

10/25/2025

🌿 Reflections from My Heart: The Gift of Teaching Mindfulness to Students with Special Needs 🌿

A few years ago- four I believe now- I took a leap that has profoundly changed me both personally and professionally. I decided to bring yoga and mindfulness to children with special needs in one of our first partner schools.

At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure how it would look or be received. I just knew, deep in my heart, that every child deserves the tools to help them feel calm, connected and safe in their own body and mind.

From that first day, I was completely moved. These students have become one of my favorite groups to work with. Their joy, their honesty, their energy, their capacity to love and connect- often without words- are lessons in mindfulness in and of themselves. They have given me far more than I could ever give them. 🩵

It has truly been my privilege and gift to be welcomed in their space- to learn with the what helps regulate their nervous systems, what soothes their impulsive control, and what allows them to find moments of peace in their day. Seeing their smiles, their excitement, their engagement, feeling a spontaneous hug or a student jumping in my lap mid-lesson- these moments are everything. They remind me why I do this work.

Over time, what began as a single program experience has grown. We’ve since expanded this program to other schools for children who are specially abled, and more recently, to NJ ECC, where we work with adults who are predominantly autistic. Each experience continues to teach me more about patience, presence, compassion, and the profound simplicity of connection.

In our sessions, we breathe.
We move mindfully.
We follow along to books together.
We sing!
We sway and find a calming rhythm through music and movement.

And through it all, I am reminded that while I teach mindfulness, they live it. They are the purest examples of presence- of being exactly where they are, in the moment, without judgement or agenda.

The work is humbling.
It’s awe-inspiring.
It is a gift. 💛

10/23/2025

Wishing our amazing MSW social work intern Sophia a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 🎂 🎈💕
How sweet that the third grade class we were working with this morning immediately started singing 🎵 “Happy Birthday” when I told them it’s her birthday today… and counted all the way up to 24 for her age! 😄🥰 (Thank God they weren’t singing to me). 😅

We are grateful for you, Ms. Sophia, and we know you will help to make the world a brighter place. 🌈 May all your wishes come true!! 💝

10/22/2025

🌿 October is National Anti-Bullying Month 🌿

So proud to share a glimpse from our recent partnership with Englewood Cliffs school district, where we’ve been helping students and teachers start their day with mindfulness, movement, and connection.

In these videos from a fourth grade morning meeting, you’ll see what happens when children are given space to pause, breathe, move their bodies, and connect with one another – all before the academic day even begins.

When children feel good, they do good.
They listen better. They regulate more easily. They show more empathy, patience, and confidence. There’s less bullying and we’re belonging. Less chaos and more calm.

When we teach students how to find a sense of safety and steadiness within themselves, we’re not just preventing bullying – we’re nurturing resilience. We’re helping them discover a safe haven they can return to again and again, no matter what’s happening around them.

At Rise Yoga and Mindfulness, this is the work we love doing- guiding schools toward calmer, kinder, and more connected classroom cultures. And what’s even more powerful is watching teachers continue this work after we leave, weaving mindfulness and emotional awareness into their daily routine routines.

✨ Imagine the ripple effect if every child started their day this way. 💛

10/19/2025

🩷💗 PINK OUT 💗🩷

Amazing class supporting an amazing cause by an amazing instructor and studio owner! 💕💪💕

Thank you for raising funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. 💝

If you love challenging group fitness classes in an inviting, boutique-like studio, head over to The Movement in Midland Park, NJ!
As a bonus, we love supporting small businesses and badass women who dare to follow their dreams. 🥰

10/16/2025

✨ Have You Grabbed Our New Freebie Yet?✨

Our Mindful Moments for a Calm, Connected Classroom has simple, ready to use practices to help kids start the day, transition throughout the day, and end the day, calm, connected, and focused- perfect for classrooms and home routines. 💛

Be on the lookout for our full guide on the website soon! 📖

Teachers and parents, make sure you’re on our email list- that’s where we share free resources, upcoming offerings, and tips for bringing more mindfulness and ease into your children’s/students’ (and your own!) day. 🌈

Tap the link 🔗 in bio to subscribe!
May these strategies help you to create calmer, more connected spaces for our kids. Together, we Rise. 🌻🕊️

10/16/2025

The Calm Classroom Movement- Freebie for Educators

Good morning educators and parents! Across districts, we’re seeing the same pattern emerge: A noticeable rise in ADHD, anxiety, and dysregulation among students Inconsistent behavioral management practices across classrooms and grade levels Teachers and staff under enormous stress, managing behavi...

10/12/2025

What a great way to start the weekend! 🌟

On Friday afternoon, the Pompton Lakes Girls Varsity Soccer Team ⚽️ took a much needed break from practicing to participate in some stretching, destressing, mobility and recovery. ❤️‍🩹

One player asked if they could do this every week. 🥰

Thank you for keeping an open mind, ladies, and allowing for some self care. 😮‍💨

We can’t pour from an empty cup! 🤍

10/04/2025

🌱Exciting Partnership announcement with one of our incredible partner programs: Wellness Counseling.💙

As a strong advocate for mental health, therapy, prevention, and early intervention, I deeply believe that true wellness comes from caring for both the mind and body.

This partnership reflects our shared commitment to helping families build resilience, balance and connection. 💛

More partnerships to be featured on our soon to be revamped website to come, for more trusted resources at your fingertips. ☀️