The Transformative Power of Yoga for Kids with Cara Gormley 

Cara Gormley is an entrepreneur, a breathwork facilitator and certified yogi. She is a single mother of three who is passionate about bringing the magic and power of holistic healing tools to moms and children. Her mission is to change the narrative around mental health for humanity and the future generations. She is excited to share with you why she loves yoga, about her kids yoga program called Mosaic Kids, how and why yoga is amazing for children, and all the benefits it includes!  

How Cara Found Yoga & Transformed Her Life!

In 2016 Carissa experienced burnout and began having panic attacks and suffering from postpartum depression. Her life turned upside down around her and she began to look for ways to manage her life in a new way. After her therapist suggested yoga as a way to help with anxiety and depression she embarked on a long journey into the world of wellness and healing on all levels. She has studied breath, yoga, nutrition, energy and ancient religions over the past 8 years. During her explorations she became a certified yoga instructor and took breathwork facilitator training.  

Breathwork and yoga became a consistent part of her practices and routine. Allowing her to get off medication and remain med free for 7 years. Yoga and Breath also got her through some very traumatic life experiences and they have been medicine for her life in some very dark times. These practices became part of who she is and she spent many days in gratitude for the blessing of movement and connecting to life and love through breath.  

What is Mosaic Kids Yoga

Mosaic Kids celebrates every child for their unique design as an expression of love. Together all of us begin to create this beautiful design, a tapestry, a mosaic of individual pieces coming together to create one giant masterpiece. Our vision is to see children equipped with amazing resources for them to thrive in the world of today creating ripples into the people they meet today and in the future. Ultimately spreading a wave of love first for themselves and then to everyone they encounter along their path.  

Mosaic kids is a dynamic program uniquely tailored to introduce children to the transformative power of yoga, movement and breath. Through a blend of imaginative storytelling, interactive games, and age-appropriate yoga poses, children are guided on a journey of self-discovery and holistic well-being. Each session is thoughtfully crafted to engage children’s senses and capture their attention, making the practice of yoga both enjoyable and accessible to young learners. By incorporating elements of creativity and playfulness, Mosaic Kids not only fosters physical strength, flexibility, and balance but also cultivates essential life skills such as emotional regulation, concentration, and self-confidence.

At the heart of Mosaic Kids Yoga and Breathwork lies a profound emphasis on breath awareness and empowerment. Children are gently guided to explore the rhythm of their breath and its connection to their thoughts and emotions. Through simple yet powerful breathing techniques, they learn to find moments of calm amidst the busyness of daily life, empowering them to navigate challenges with resilience and grace. With its holistic approach to children’s wellness, Mosaic Kids Yoga and Breathwork provides a nurturing space for young minds and bodies to thrive, instilling lifelong habits for health, happiness, and inner peace.

How Yoga Can Be Transformative for Kids

Yoga for kids is a playful and engaging practice that introduces children to the benefits of physical activity, mindfulness, and self-awareness from an early age. Through a combination of age-appropriate yoga poses, creative games, storytelling, and breathing exercises, yoga helps children develop strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance while also teaching them how to calm their minds and manage stress. 

This holistic approach not only supports their physical health but also nurtures their emotional and mental well-being, fostering qualities like resilience, concentration, and self-confidence. Moreover, yoga for kids emphasizes values such as kindness, respect, and cooperation, encouraging children to cultivate empathy and positive relationships with themselves and others. By making yoga fun and accessible, it empowers children to explore their bodies, express themselves creatively, and cultivate a lifelong foundation for health and happiness.

The Amazing Benefits of Yoga for Kids 

• Yoga Enhances flexibility, strength, coordination, and balance.
• Teaches relaxation techniques for managing stress and anxiety.
• Promotes emotional awareness and self-regulation.
• Develops focus and attention span through mindfulness practices.
• Fosters self-confidence and pride in achievements.Improves Sleep, teaches empathy and respect for others.  

The Healing Power of Yoga for Kids

Yoga is transformational for children. It is nourishing and healing on multi levels: the body, mind, energy, and emotions. So with learning these simple practices kids create a better more inner love as a result bringing this inner love to others. Being able to better regulate themselves cultivates healthier relationships and becoming aware of their emotions empowers them to be able to experience the bigness of life without being overwhelmed  by it. It gives them tools in the moments they might not know what they need to bring their bodies back into a state of neutrality so they can live in bigger states of joy and excitement. These practices will also be carried on for them into their lives as they mature. 

Who Can Most Benefit From Kids Yoga

Yoga offers numerous benefits for all children! It can also help alleviate stress, focus issues, anxiety, ADHD symptoms, trauma, and depression by fostering mindfulness, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. Through yoga poses, breathing techniques, and relaxation exercises, kids develop greater body awareness, improve concentration, and learn effective coping strategies for managing challenging emotions. Additionally, yoga promotes physical strength, flexibility, and balance, supporting overall well-being and a positive mindset for children as they navigate life’s ups and downs.

Different Types of Yoga 

There are so many different types of yoga, each posture and sequence can have subtle effects on all parts of their body ultimately creating micro changes in their energy and bodies. 

Several types of yoga are well-suited for children, offering engaging and age-appropriate practices. 

• Hatha Yoga: This foundational style focuses on basic postures and breath control, promoting physical strength and flexibility. 
• Kundalini Yoga: Incorporating movement, breath, and meditation, Kundalini yoga helps enhance focus and self-awareness. 
• Partner Yoga: Encouraging social interaction, partner yoga builds trust and communication skills through shared poses. 
• Storytime Yoga: Tailored for younger kids, this incorporates storytelling and imaginative play into yoga poses, making it both educational and fun. 
• Animal-themed Yoga: Mimicking animals in yoga poses adds an element of playfulness and creativity, making the practice enjoyable for children. Adaptations of these styles can create a well-rounded, accessible yoga experience for kids, fostering physical and mental well-being.

Connect with Cara and her Mosaic Kids Program

If you are interested in yoga for your kids you can follow us on Mosaic Kids for tools, techniques and fun ways to practice with your kids. 

Mosaic kids yoga is on Instagram, you can follow us there and get updates on our future programs and kids yoga studios.   

Resources to Learn More About Yoga for Kids

Mosaic will be coming out with kids books, online curriculum and card decks for parents and their children – stay tuned! 

In the meantime you can check out:

• “Yoga Bug: Simple Poses for Little Ones” by Sarah Jane Hinder
• “Good Night Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Bedtime Story” by Mariam Gates
• “The ABCs of Yoga for Kids” by Teresa Anne Power
• The Kids Yoga Deck: 50 Poses and Games

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Final Thoughts From Cara On Yoga

These ancient healing practices have been vital to Carissa’s recovery and how she has thrived.  She loves being able to share ways for people to take their health and wellbeing back into their own hands.  It is her desire to see humanity thriving on all dimensions but she is certainly passionate about mental health and wants to see kids and teens and their parents having tools and practices that will ultimately empower them and prevent some of the tragedies facing our children today.

Thank you Cara!

A note from Jeanna: Thank you Cara for sharing your incredible story of how yoga transformed your life, and now you have a heart to help teach the incredible practices of yoga to children so they can reap the benefits throughout their lives! Thank you for teaching us about your kids yoga program, how and why yoga is amazing for children!