Meet Your Instructor!!
Rana Kirkland - Youth Specialist
One for Health yoga and nutrition instructor, Rana Kirkland, has made having a healthy mind and body a priority. The Long Island/NY native has managed to center her life around movement and nutrition, and continued these efforts through career changes, cross-country moves, and more. Today, as a key member of One for Health’s network, Kirkland is using her background and skillset to help the nonprofit fulfill their mission.
Through the years and breadth of her experience, Kirkland is the perfect candidate to help One for Health expand on the West Coast. In addition to conducting classes in-person, Kirkland has also worked with One for Health to create a virtual yoga experience that can be used at Boys and Girls Clubs that are still easing back into hosting guests after the pandemic.
“At the end of the day, kids are kids and they can all enjoy
being active with yoga,” Kirkland says.
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Contact - ONE FOR HEALTH FOUNDATION
So let's get started -
Here are your month 1 selection of Working Sessions.
Click on any "play" button below each video to view at your convenience!
But first, some quick viewing suggestions:
Here are a few tips that will assist you in guiding your students through the Yoga videos.
- Kids should wear comfortable movement attire without shoes.
- Kids should be sitting settled with ample space to stretch before the video begins.
- Kids can be reminded that this is a calming and focused activity to take lots of deep breaths through.
- Kids can be encouraged to do the best they can, as there will be plenty of time to improve.
Your first set of videos:
- The first Warm Up Video© is a few minutes of explanation about Yoga and gentle warm up that can be used regularly at the beginning of each of the other yoga videos. It's also a good opportunity to talk after this one about how the kids feel about it, what was challenging, what they learned etc. The whole idea is to foster self awareness through this early experience.
- The Stretching Video© is about 10 minutes in length and can be used during the first and second week to introduce simple stretches that enhance flexibility and build self-confidence. This is a good one to do after kids have had more rigorous activity like outdoor play so that their bodies are warmed up. Some kids will be more flexible than others, and in yoga we remind them that this isn't a competition, it's just everyone doing the best that they can.
- The Balancing Video ©is about 6 minutes long and lends itself to more difficulty. A good reminder is to assist kids to look at a spot that isn't distracting where they can focus while balancing. This could be something like a picture of a flower on a wall. This video can be worked on during their second and/or third weeks of yoga instruction.
- The Strengthening Video© is about 7 minutes in length and is an ideal opportunity to activate muscles and increase energy. Some of the asanas may seem more challenging but with repetition, it gets easier. A good reminder that Yoga shouldn't ever strain or hurt at his time is essential. It's intended to be a nice follow up after the balancing exercises and before the Calming video.
- The Calming Video© is about 10 minutes long and will be much welcomed for all the students. I recommend trying this one alone before doing the entire 35/40 minutes series and culminating with this one. Some kids will find it easier to maintain calm. Good reminders to take deep breaths if the mind wanders, the body fidgets or any feeling comes up, can be helpful. Students really enjoy this time in a way that you can clearly see that the rest is needed due to their active lifestyles. At the end, be sure to give kids a chance to slowly and at their own pace, transition to their next activity.
- The Wrap Up Video© is just a minute of gratitude for all the efforts and attention to be self aware and show self care.It also includes instructions around continuing practice.
* I would recommend that by the 4th week, all of the above videos are played back to back as kids should be more capable of maintaining their calm and focus for about 20 minutes straight.
If site staff participates in all, it can be a great modeling opportunity for them to see their cool teachers stretching.
And if you have any questions, please feel free to let me know. See you soon!!
NOTE: For those who view on your cell phone....the videos will most likely be displayed vertically in a single
column, so the descriptions above will not correspond in the order of the images on your phone.
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Thanks for joining in!
Hope you enjoyed them and hope to see you soon!!
