Valentines Day is nearly here, a day for us to show our love and affection for those who we hold dearly. I've always wondered....why do we celebrate Valentine's day? I knew the day was related to it's namesake St. Valentine, but that was all. So I did a little digging and found this excellent video on the history of valentines day: 

http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day 

I think the most interesting part is how commercialized this tradition has become, when really, shouldn't we be sharing our love each and everyday? Our post for you this month is about just that, noticing the love all around you and sharing your love with the world. If you missed the first post in this series, you'll want to have a look at it as it will give you the background you need to best use our newest addition to the Sun Dance Series. ​
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Stretch up high, see the love up in the sky
(Standing in mountain pose, reach arms up)
Hang down low, see the love down by your toes
(Forward fold, reaching down for your toes)
Feet jump back, filling up with love 
(Bend your knees, place your hands down and jump or step your feet back to plank & take a big breath in)
Belly on the ground, get ready to share
(Bending at the elbows, lower your body down to the ground)
Look up and shine your heart ahead to show you care
(Press the hands into the ground, to straighten the arms into cobra pose, looking at the decorations around you)
Now look back and shine your heart to everyone behind you
(Knees under hips, curl the toes under & shift into downward dog)
& breathe in love too & breathe in love too & breathe in love too
(Take 3 big breaths in through the nose and out through the nose, filling the belly BIG like a balloon when you breathe in, letting all the air out when you breathe out - you can imagine your heart growing fuller with each breath)
Feet jump up, filling up with love 
(Hop the feet up, into a frog squat)
Hang down low, gather the love down by your toes
(Straighten the legs, forward fold & reach down for your toes while pretending to gather up love)
Stretch up high, and throw your love up to the sky!
(Coming to stand, reach both arms up over head & throw your love all around)
Now heart center pose​​
(Hands come together in front of your heart, standing in mountain pose)

Wishing you a loved-up, joy-filled weekend. May your Valentines day be spent with the ones you love most, sharing your own sweetness with each other - and maybe some chocolate too ;)

Most love,

​Vanessa

With the New Year upon us, it is the perfect time to celebrate! New beginnings, new opportunities, new goals and intentions - we get to start fresh and give birth to our BEST year YET. Over here at Glow, we like to celebrate all the time, so we are starting off the year with a super amazing Birthday Dance, created by our very own Robyn Snow, Daycare Program Lead & Magical Mermaid! 

Stretch up high waves to the balloons,
(Standing in mountain pose, reach arms up & wave)
Hang down low, Sweep the ribbons away from your toes
(Forward fold, reaching down for your toes & sweeping away imaginary ribbons)
Feet jump back, into the bounce house
(Bend your knees, place your hands down and jump or step your feet back to plank)
Belly on the ground, bounce around
(Bending at the elbows, lower your body down to the ground)
Look up at the decorations
(Press the hands into the ground, to straighten the arms into cobra pose, looking at the decorations around you)
Now back at the presents
(Knees under hips, curl the toes under & shift into downward dog)
 & breathe & breathe & breathe
(Take 3 big breaths in through the nose and out through the nose, filling the belly BIG like a balloon when you breathe in, letting all the air out when you breathe out)
Feet jump up, just like a clown
(Hop the feet up, into a frog squat, make a silly clown face)
Hang down low, sweep the ribbons away from your toes
(Straighten the legs, forward fold & reach down for your toes, sweeping those ribbons away again)
Stretch up high, wave to the balloons
(Coming to stand, reach both arms up over head & wave to the balloons)
Now Birthday time!
(Hands by your sides, standing in mountain & say Happy birthday!)

May the magic of the holidays be with you now and the whole year through. We hope that you make time for deep and meaningful connection, while sharing so much peace and love. From everyone at Glow Yoga Kids, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest New Year! Let's make 2018 the best year yet.

With love & gratitude,

Vanessa & the team Glow! 

Well, it's time to face facts.... winter is here to stay in Edmonton. We had a big snowfall on All Hallows' Eve and things have been covered in white ever since. Only 6 more months to go! I wonder if you are sensing my lack of love here? Don't misinterpret this, I really do LOVE the snow; it is extremely beautiful, clean, calming, and restorative. I am especially entranced by how it glistens when struck by the light of the sun or moon like a million tiny diamonds. AND one of my favorite things is waking up to hoar frost on the trees! However, after about a month or so, I am over it. We are at 3 weeks now..... but who's counting?

If we are going to survive winter here in Alberta, the easiest thing to do is embrace it; with lots of layers, a super warm parka and maybe a few hand warmers in your mittens. THEN we can enjoy winter for all it has to offer! Tobogganing, skating, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, ice fishing, and pond hockey, which by the way all  have kids yoga poses made up for them. So in your next class, why not celebrate our Canadian-ness (like the guy I saw today wearing shorts in -10) with a wintery Snow Dance. If you missed the first post in this series, you'll want to have a look at it as it will give you the background you need to best use our newest addition to the Sun Dance Series. ​
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Stretch up high, wave to the snowflakes
(Standing in mountain pose, reach arms up & wave)
Hang down low, pile up the snow
(Forward fold, reaching down for your toes & pretend to sweep snow into a pile)
Feet jump back, into your toboggan
(Bend your knees, place your hands down and jump or step your feet back to plank)
Belly down, let’s ride it around
(Bending at the elbows, lower your body down to the ground)
Look up at the mountains
(Press the hands into the ground, to straighten the arms into cobra pose)
Now back at the snowman
(Knees under hips, curl the toes under & shift into downward dog)
& breathe & breathe & breathe
(Take 3 big breaths in through the nose and out through the nose, filling the belly BIG like a balloon when you breathe in, letting all the air out when you breathe out)
Feet jump up, onto the ice rink
(Hop the feet up, into a frog squat)
Hang down low, tie up your skates
(Straighten the legs, forward fold & pretend to tie your laces)
Stretch up high, wave to the snowflakes
(Coming to stand, reach both arms up over head & making yourself super tall)
Now figure skating pose!
(Grounding down with your R foot, reach your L hand back for your L ankle. R arm extends forwards as you kick the L foot back and lean forwards into Dancer Pose! Now since we are figure skaters, definitely add in some hops and spins, and remember to do both sides)

Wishing you a warm and cuddly​ winter with those you love the most, may it be filled with joyous outdoor adventure and play.... and maybe a tropical vacation too! 

With BIG love, BRIGHT light and WARM hugs,

- Vanessa

Happy Halloween! I have to say, I am a Halloween LOVER. I have so many fond memories of trick-or-treating with my cousins, uncle and dad in my younger years - we would run as fast as we could from house to house and stay out extra late in hopes of getting the mother load.... which by Halloween definition is: the remainder of the candy from any home who hasn't seen a kid in a while, does not want to keep they candy in their house (since they know they will eat it all) and is ready to turn off their light for the night. That was always the best! Then, when I was older my bestie and I were pretty small - so we milked it until we were at least 16! Now, I love costume shopping and creating, carving pumpkins, decorating the house, and going for drives to search for a "Halloween House" with the kids. We play a game where whenever you see one while driving, you have to be the first to shout "HAAAALOOOWEEEEN HOUSE!" Seriously, Halloween it's so much fun. When else can you say things like.... Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat... if you won't, I don't care, I'll pull down your underwear! HA!

In the spirit of one of my favorite holidays, I present to you, a super spooky, creepy crawly, BOOOOO-tastic Halloween Dance. If you missed the first post in this series, you'll want to have a look at it as it will give you the background you need to best use our newest addition to the Sun Dance Series. ​

I hope that you and yours enjoy this Halloween Dance! And for this Halloween, I am wishing you a night filled with frights and a bag full of delights. Happy Halloween everyone! Stay safe, be bright, be bold & most of all be YOU (in a super awesome costume of course). 

Most Love,

​Vanessa

Happy fall equinox to all, and to all a good night. May this period of darkness reveal a beautiful new beginning for you once our earth turns another 180 degrees. Stay bright, stay bold & be you.

Blessings!

Love,
​Vanessa

As we soak up the last few days of summer, I keep thinking back to the beautiful time we spent on the beaches of Penticton in July. Recently I have heard about the surprise beach that magically appeared in Downtown Edmonton after a construction project washed a bunch of sand into an shallow and slow running area alongside the river. With this warm September weather, I am SO hoping to make a family adventure to this surprise beach, but for now I can imagine to be there with this super awesome beach dance.

If you missed the first post in this series, you'll want to have a look at it as it will give you the background you need to best use our newest addition to the Sun Dance Series. 

I hope you LOVE this one and find the time to slip it into your last days of summer! Stay tuned for our next post on a fall dance.  Until then, be bright, be bold, be you! Sending bubbles of love to all of you.  

Vanessa

Ps. If you want to venture to the secret beach, here are the instructions of how to find it! http://www.raisingedmonton.com/heres-find-secret-beach-edmonton/​ 

What a super cool week! Solar eclipse AND new moon. I was reading that an eclipse is a portal for exponential growth and rapid change, while the new moon is a time to plant seeds of intention for which you seek to change... The combination is sure to sky rocket your transformation process. So, in celebration of space in all it's mystery and wonder, I give to you the Space Dance. 

If you loved this Sun Dance, be sure to check out our other versions! We have already posted the zoo dance, the summer dance, and the dance to our fathers. Stay tuned for more like this too! I am excited to share our Ocean Dance next, until then, stay true. Be bright, be bold, be you! ​

Hugs & Love

​Vanessa

Growing up I LOVED going to the zoo, and I think most children would agree - it's really cool to see the animals up close! However, as an adult, my feelings have changed... Just last week we celebrated a late mothers day for my mom with a trip to the Edmonton Valley Zoo. Our zoo here is great, they do a lovely job with the animals and seem to give immaculate care and attention, yet they are so far removed from their real habitat and normal daily lives. I have too many mixed emotions about this issue - YES, when animals need a sanctuary of retreat because they are injured or sick, I get it... but when animals are raised in zoos or transferred to zoos and never leave they do not have the opportunity to live the life they are meant to live. 

When I was in Australia last year, I listened to the lovely songs of the Kookaburra bird every morning. I saw a pair of them in the zoo last week, who were in such a small cage they will never be able to fly again, it makes me wonder how often they sing their beautiful song. I watched a tiger "catch" it's dinner out of a tire swing. I saw two baby cows with no mama cow near by. I noticed a bald eagle and peregrine falcon in a cage only 12 ft high. I witnessed over 10 seals in a very small containment with scars all over their body. Although we had the MOST fun on this adventure, I can't help but express how my heart was saddened all along the way. 

My hope, when you share this new sun dance with your students, is that you will discuss this topic with them and ask questions to get them thinking! They are our future, these children you are working with will be inspired to transform the world around us. So let's encourage them to get out into the real world and explore locally what nature has to offer! 

AND if you missed the first post in this series, be sure to have a look as it will give you the background you need to best use our newest addition to the Sun Dance Series. 

Stretch up high, wave to the birds
(Standing in mountain pose, reach arms up & wave)
Hang down low, pet the sheep’s fur
(Forward fold, reaching down for your toes & pretend to pet them)
Feet jump back, just like a zebra
(Bend your knees, place your hands down and jump or step your feet back to plank)
Belly down, just like a snake
(Bending at the elbows, lower your body down to the ground)
Look up at the monkeys
(Press the hands into the ground, to straighten the arms into cobra pose
Now back at the lions
(Knees under hips, curl the toes under & shift into downward dog)
 & roar & roar & roar
(Take 3 big breaths in through the nose and out through the nose, filling the belly BIG like a balloon when you breathe in, and roaring like a lion when you breathe out)
Feet jump up, just like a frog
(Hop the feet up, into a frog squat)
Hang down low, pet the sheep’s fur
(Straighten the legs, forward fold & pretend to pet your toes)
Stretch up high, wave again to the birds
(Coming to stand, reach both arms up over head)
Now show me your favorite animal pose!
(Create your own animal pose)

I look forward to sharing more of these unique theme-based Sun Dances in the weeks and months to come. Until then, stay true. Be bright, be bold, be you! 

Love & Hugs,

​Vanessa

Summer Solstice is upon us, a time to celebrate the light around us and within us. Living in Edmonton, at this time of year we have light from about 4:30 AM - 11:30 PM. This is one reason I love our summers so much, it's such a wonderful time to marvel in and contribute to this growing energy & possibility. Now as we transition into a new cycle, this is a chance to join together and honour our own unique light, the light of the collective, and the forever flowing continuity  between them. So here is a beautiful way to bring your class or family together with a summer themed sun dance. If you missed the first post in this series, be sure to have a look as it will give you the background you need to best use our newest addition to the Sun Dance Series. Happy Solstice!

​Stretch up high, wave to the clear blue sky
(Standing in mountain pose, reach arms up & wave)
Hang down low, feel the sand between your toes
(Forward fold, reaching down for your toes)
Feet jump back, into the pool
(Bend your knees, place your hands down and jump or step your feet back to plank)
Belly down, let’s swim all around
(Bending at the elbows, lower your body down to the ground)
Look up at the sun, and feel it’s warmth
(Press the hands into the ground, to straighten the arms into cobra pose
Now look  back at the beach ball
(Knees under hips, curl the toes under & shift into downward dog)
& breathe, & breathe & breathe
(Take 3 big breaths in through the nose and out through the nose, filling the belly BIG like a balloon when you breathe in, and letting all the air out when you breathe out)
Feet jump up, into the sand
(Hop the feet up, into a frog squat)
Hang down low, grab a sea shell by your toes
(Straighten the legs, forward fold & pretend to grab a shell)
Stretch up high & hold it to the sky
(Reach both arms up over head)
Now sand castle pose! 
(Each person makes up their own creative version of what a sand castle pose might look like)

Have fun this summer, celebrating all things LIGHT! 

I look forward to sharing more of these unique theme-based Sun Dances in the weeks and months to come. Until then, stay true. Be bright, be bold, be you! 

Love & Light,

Vanessa