What is cat yoga for kids?

Cat yoga for kids is a playful mindfulness-based movement class where children explore yoga poses inspired by animals, especially cats, while building body awareness, balance, strength, and focus through imaginative play and storytelling.

How does animal yoga help children learn mindfulness?

Animal yoga helps children practice mindfulness by linking movement with imagination. When children embody animals like cats, dogs, lions, and butterflies, they stay present, notice sensations in their bodies, and develop focus and emotional regulation through play.

Why is hands and feet alignment important in kids yoga?

Hands and feet alignment builds the foundation for safe and effective movement in kids yoga. Spreading fingers, pressing through palms, and grounding through all four corners of the feet improves balance, coordination, posture, and body control.

What does 'clawing the mat' mean in kids yoga?

Clawing the mat means gently spreading the fingers wide and pressing evenly through the palms and fingertips to activate the hands. This builds stability and strength in poses like Downward Dog, Plank, and Cat Pose.

What is proprioception in kids yoga?

Proprioception is the body's ability to sense where it is in space. In kids yoga, grounding, balancing, and weight-bearing poses help children develop this awareness, improving coordination and confidence in movement.

Research & Anecdotes

Sweeping Breath- Dr. Seuss Style (Siva Sutra 1.2 jnānam bandhaḥ)

Bondage and ignorance and limitation!
Oh my!
We contract like a sneeze~
You want to know why?

These are the roots of our issues,
You see~
Unworthiness, insecurity, feeling un-free.

These deep darkened roots,
known as Anava Mala,
cloak our awareness
like pollen all upon ‘ya.

This pollen of unworthiness
Helps us forget~
How miraculous we are~
We recoil ~we regret.

We regret and we doubt.
We feel separate and small.
Our pimples and frizzes
Keep us enthralled.

How, do we, how do we
How DO we re-remember?
Our goodness, our freedom
From here to September?

Good question, my dear!
So at your request~
I’ll teach you the tools
To elevate your quest!

Your breath is the broom
that sweeps away pollen,
Shines light on the ignorance
Which is hidden and smallen.

Sit tall, close your eyes,
Tune into your spine.
Inhale your breath
Down the left side line.

Sweep your breath out~
On the same side,
From bottom to top~
Deep inside.

Sweep your breath in,
Down the right side this time.
Get real close and real low~
To release dust and grime.

Sweep your breath out~
From bottom to top.
Keep sweeping your spine~
No reason to stop!

No reason to stop~
Till you feel lighter and free!
Relieved of unworthy
Pollen and debris.

The pollen of ignorance~
And debris of limitation~
Can be swept to the surface
For expansive illumination.

Each time we remember,
We grow and expand~
We become more real.
And that is quite grand!.

Seuss Sutra 1-1: Big Picture Play of Consciousness

Research & Anecdotes
Peaceful Kids
Sedef Dion, co-creator of the Pre-Grounded Kids program, is interviewed in an article entitled “Peaceful Kids” in the Alpharetta Lifestyle magazine.
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Grounded in Concentration
This is a memory game. The object of the game is to turn over pairs of matching chips. Concentration can be played with any number of players or alone. You will need two tubes of the Grounded Pose Chips. Decide how many poses to include in the game based on the number of players and…
Read More Grounded in Concentration
Research & Anecdotes
Local Grounded Teachers Heart Bursts Open with Pride
As I sit to write this I am grinning ear to ear because my heart could not be more full of love, joy, pride and awe. This morning, I was honored to have two of MY girls (and when I say My I mean students of mine) for over four years teach a full on yoga class to a group of 14 students at the Ivivva Store In Dunwoody Village.
Read More Local Grounded Teachers Heart Bursts Open with Pride
Research & Anecdotes
When Resting Pose Becomes Real: Safety, Breath, and Deep Rest for Kids
During a class at a metro Atlanta shelter, we opened hearts, softened with “heart-melting” poses, and repeated “Inhale I AM, exhale OK.” Sixteen children settled into Resting Pose and fell sound asleep. Here’s what that moment taught me about safety, breath, and the healing power of Savasana for kids.
Read More When Resting Pose Becomes Real: Safety, Breath, and Deep Rest for Kids
Research & Anecdotes
Hi Barbie…It’s Me Ken!
I have been working with Ken, this is true. I have found him to be a natural adept; I leave him seated, sometimes in the morning, I come back, he has not moved an inch – he is completely absorbed in the mantra. I asked him what his experience was like, and he just stared at me, said nothing: obviously it is beyond the ability to verbalize at the shtula level. Pure transcendence. I even at one point stuck a pin in his foot and held a BIC lighter to his head – he did not flinch. Incredible. He is an amazing meditator.
Read More Hi Barbie…It’s Me Ken!
Research & Anecdotes
Salutations
Charlotte’s Web is a celebration of the quiet virtues. It reminds us to keep a soft tender heart, accept our true nature, and value the unique gifts of our friends. The two main characters of Charlotte’s Web, Charlotte and Wibur, highlight the awareness of our own unique inner story.
Charlotte, the spider, represents our highest self who provides wisdom and help from above. She reminds us that we are never alone. She provides a higher, bigger perspective from her vantage point high up in the rafters. She brings a calm wisdom into an anxious situation, bolstering Wilbur’s self image by spelling out his best aspects. She represents our INHALE.
Become sensitive and aware of your breath.
Wibur, the pig, represents our vulnerable self that is at the center of our awareness. Wilbur is consistently caring and engaging. He forms a bond with Charlotte because he sees her beauty. He is accepting and compassionate and joyfully celebrates life. He represents our EXHALE.
Read More Salutations

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