In today's episode of Yoga Solutions, I connect with the inspiring Emily Haight, a dedicated yoga teacher who has been guiding students of all ages since 2016. With a passion for making yoga accessible to everyone, Emily specializes in adaptive yoga for teens and young adults with special needs, as well as yoga programs in elementary schools. Her work focuses on the social-emotional well-being of children, helping them develop essential skills for self-regulation, focus, and confidence.
Emily and I dive into the transformative power of yoga for children, exploring how movement, breath, and mindfulness help young people navigate big emotions, build resilience, and develop lifelong tools for well-being. We discuss the importance of making yoga fun and engaging, the role of trauma-informed practices, and how even the simplest techniques—like the yoga pledge or the SA TA NA MA meditation—can create profound shifts in children's lives. Plus, Emily shares actionable ways parents, teachers, and caregivers can introduce yoga to kids, no matter their background or experience.
[00:02:04] The Yoga Pledge: A Simple Ritual for Focus and Presence
[00:03:47] SA TA NA MA Meditation: A Tool for Self-Regulation
[00:11:54] Making Yoga Fun: Games, Poses, and Stories
[00:19:10] The Science Behind Yoga for Children’s Mental Health
[00:21:04] Teaching Kids to Shift Their Energy with Breath and Movement
"We often tell kids to 'calm down,' but we don’t teach them how. Yoga gives them the tools to actually do it."
"It’s science, but it feels like magic. When children experience yoga’s benefits, it transforms their ability to navigate the world."
Medical Disclaimer:
Please know any yoga wellness or health advice presented is not meant to replace the advice of your personal physician or other healthcare professional always seek competent medical care.
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Experts in Yoga, Social Change, Health and Wellness
Yoga for Parenting
As an E-RYT 500 and YACEP, Emily is determined to teach yoga that empowers. Her classes utilize powerful flows to create energetic physical alignment as well as a clear mind and joyful heart. Emily believes in the healing power of yoga and is passionate about sharing the practice in a way that feels accessible to every person, including children! Yoga has been a source of strength and therapy in her life and a reminder that none of us is alone in their struggles, nor on their journey to rise above them.
Host, Yoga Solutions Podcast & Founder, Yoke Yoga
Susanna Barkataki (she/her) has been called “a trailblazing yoga leader and visionary for our times.” An Indian teacher building bridges in the West, she is known for her work in decolonizing and embracing the roots of yoga. She is the tech founder of Yoke Yoga, a free yoga app of micro practices for more peace in seconds. Bringing yoga socially to all people to help solve everyday problems at YokeYoga.com
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