The Kids Wellness Podcast is your hub for creating happier, healthier lives for children. Hosted by Giselle Shardlow M.Ed., founder of Kids Yoga Stories, this podcast features inspiring guests from all areas of children’s health and wellness. Whether you’re an educator, pediatric therapist, yoga instructor, counselor, parent, or anyone working with kids, each episode offers practical tools, engaging stories, and expert insights to help children thrive emotionally and physically. Join us as we explore easy-to-implement wellness practices to create calm spaces, foster resilience, and support young minds and bodies.
Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Lindsay Miller from The Stress Nanny (a kids mindfulness coach and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast) as they talk about the significance of mindfulness in helping both adults and children to boost their attention skills. Some highlights: -Attention and Distraction in Kids: Discover the link between increased screen time, post-pandemic behaviors, and how it's impacting children's attention spans. -Mindfulness Techniques for Kids: Lindsay breaks down easy, practical methods to teach mindfulness to children, helping them stay present and focused. -Montessori Approach: Learn how respect for concentration and uninterrupted focus can make a difference in children's learning and attention. -Creative Mindfulness Exercises: From sensation-emotion pillows to nature collages, get inspired with fun ways to engage kids in mindfulness practices. -Understanding Emotions with Brain Science: Lindsay shares fascinating insights about the "upstairs brain" and "downstairs brain" to help kids manage their reactions and stress. Find Lindsay here: Website: https://www.thestressnanny.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestressnanny/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestressnanny/ 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
3/9/25 • 32:20
Start your week with intention. ✨ In this special Mindful Monday, Giselle guides you through a simple yet powerful practice to help you set an intention for the week. Whether you're an educator, parent, or anyone working with children, this meditation is a perfect way to reset, refocus, and bring more gratitude into your day. Take a deep breath, settle in, and let’s begin. 💛 Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
3/3/25 • 05:07
Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and SonJoria Sydnor of Our Family's Doing Yoga, and as they talk about an important topic for our yoga community: "How do we create inclusive, accessible spaces for black kids in our kids yoga classes?" Some highlights: - SonJoria's journey from educator to creating a yoga book for black kids. - The role of authenticity and cultural representation in enriching yoga experiences for children. - Practical advice for non-black people on authentically including black kids in yoga and classrooms. - Insights into SonJoria's family's yoga resources and their mission to increase concentration and self-regulation among children. - Strategies for educators and authors to incorporate diversity and authenticity in their materials and teachings for a more inclusive approach. Find SonJoria here: Website: https://ourfamilysdoingyoga.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChE3vZLvb4yt_8z_5-qaNSw/about Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SydnorvilleBooks/?ref=page_internal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackkidsdoyoga/?hl=en 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
3/2/25 • 35:57
Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Cindy Ingram of Art Class Curator as they talk about the power of art in enriching the experiences of neurodivergent children in yoga classes. Discover practical insights and the impact of personal connections for learners on the autism spectrum. Some highlights: - Learn how personal connections with art can create a safe and welcoming space for children with autism, making art relevant and accessible. - Cindy shares her personal journey of identifying her own neurodiversity after her daughters' diagnoses and how this reshaped her life and career in art education. - Explore how to respect and accommodate the unique traits of neurodivergent learners, including autistic individuals with diverse sensory experiences and classrooms. - Discover the integration of special interests into creative projects to foster engagement, using Cindy's experiences with her daughters' interests in mythology, fandoms, and crafting. - Gain inspiration from Cindy's book "Art is About Being Whole" and her transformative experience with a Picasso painting, which changed her life and career path. Find Cindy here: Website: https://artclasscurator.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artandselfcindy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artandself/ Book: https://amzn.to/4bvVKkQ (affiliate) 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
2/23/25 • 36:46
Start your week with mindfulness and gratitude. 🌿✨ In this special Mindful Monday, Giselle guides you through a simple yet powerful practice to help you cultivate appreciation, presence, and inner peace. Whether you're an educator, parent, or anyone working with children, this meditation is a perfect way to reset, refocus, and bring more gratitude into your day. Take a deep breath, settle in, and let’s begin. 💛 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
2/17/25 • 06:05
Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Liz Torres Zocchi, owner of Mindful Yoga with Liz, as they talk about the unique challenges and rewards of running a yoga class exclusively for boys. Discover insights into how Liz connects with her students and fosters a love for yoga in a male-centric environment. Some highlights: - Liz's journey from a corporate career to kids yoga instruction - The benefits and challenges of offering a boys-only yoga class - Strategies for gaining buy-in from boys - How Liz structures her boys-only yoga classes - Impactful stories and advice for teachers looking to attract boys to yoga Find Liz here: Website: https://mindfulyogawithliz.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulyogawithliz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindfulYogaWithLiz 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
2/16/25 • 25:28
Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Rachel Glowacki of Move with Me Books, and as they talk about an interesting topic for our kids yoga community: "How do we cater to different learning styles in our kids yoga classes?" Some highlights: - Rachel's background and journey in teaching kids yoga - The importance of catering to different learning styles in yoga - Tips for incorporating different learning styles in yoga sessions - How Rachel connected with a child using different learning styles - Rachel's favorite props and books for kids yoga classes Find Rachel here: Website: https://www.movewithmebooks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movewithme_books YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoveWithMe_Books 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
2/9/25 • 19:14
Join Giselle Shardlow (founder of Kids Yoga Stories) and Kira Willey (Children's Musician and Author Extraordinaire) as we talk about a popular topic that we hear from our community: How do we effectively add music to our kids yoga classes? AND How do we capture the focus and attention of children in our kids yoga classes? We talk with Kira Willey about how she uses music to engage a room full of 400 children in an instant. Kira shares how we can easily use rhythm and song to capture children's attention in the classroom, at home, or at your studio. Kira makes adding music and rhythm to our classes easy and accessible! Find Kira Willey here: https://kirawilley.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kirawilley/ https://www.facebook.com/kirawilley https://www.youtube.com/@firefliesyoga 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
2/6/25 • 33:27
Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Rochelle Jewell, founder of Yoga in Action, as they discuss valuable insights into teaching yoga to children with diverse abilities. Discover strategies for creating an inclusive and supportive environment in the yoga class. Some highlights: Learn about the importance of flexibility and meeting each child where they are in educational settings. Explore the transformative effects of yoga and mindfulness on children with diverse needs, including physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Gain insight into adapting yoga practices to be more inclusive, emphasizing the combination of mindfulness, breathing techniques, and physical postures. Hear Rochelle's personal experiences with adapting yoga classes for children with autism and the benefits it brought to all students. Understand the significance of patience, empathy, and self-study in effectively supporting and engaging students with different challenges. Find Rochelle here: Website: https://yogainaction.org/ Instagram: / yogainaction_org Facebook: / yogainactionorg - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
1/12/25 • 34:35
Join us as Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, interviews Wendy O'Leary, award-winning children's author of It's OK and Breathing Makes it Better, educator, and public speaker, about the importance of self-compassion for educators. Join them as they explore practical tips and insights on cultivating kindness towards oneself. Some highlights: Discover the three components of self-compassion: mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness Learn simple practices and phrases to offer yourself care during challenging moments Understand the benefits of self-compassion for educators facing constant demands and stress Explore the resistance to self-care in education and the importance of overcoming it Gain practical tips for integrating self-compassion into your daily life as an educator Find Wendy here: Website: https://www.wendyoleary.com/ Instagram: / wendy_oleary_mindfulmatters Facebook: / wendy.oleary.77 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Facebook: / kidsyogastories Instagram: / kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
1/11/25 • 50:23
Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Shawandra Ford, of Brwnskn Yoga, as they talk about an important topic: "How do we effectively teach yoga to children in underserved and low-income schools?" Shawandra shares her story of how she grew Brwnskn Yoga while offering yoga to children in various settings, including low-income schools, private schools, afterschool clubs, during athletic practices, and at special events. Her go-for-it attitude and passion for making a difference in the lives of children is inspiring! Find Shawandra here: Website: https://brwnsknyoga.com/ Instagram:/ brwnsknyoga Facebook: / brwnsknyoga - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
1/11/25 • 30:34
Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Jaime Andrews of Kidding Around Yoga as they talk about an interesting topic for our community of yoga educators: "How do we make our kids yoga classes creative, playful, and fun, while also being safe, inclusive, and effective?” From her experience as a personal trainer, mom, and kids yoga teacher, Jaime brings a passion and enthusiasm to her kids yoga classes that captures the attention of her students. She shares her top tips for creating playful yoga classes, while ensuring that we are meeting the needs and preferences of the children. It's also important that we look after ourselves first, so that we can hold the space for the children as we meet them where they are on any given day. Jaime shares her expertise as a sought-after kids yoga teacher and how she effectively balances playful creative movement with rejuvenating relaxation – both necessary components to add to children’s health and wellbeing toolkit. Don’t miss this interview where Jaime shares lots of nuggets that she’s learned over the years! Find Jaime here: IG: / kay_with_jay FB: / kiddingaroundyogawithjaime Website: www.jaimeandrewswellness.com ------------- 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
1/11/25 • 32:35
Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Abigail Wilber, founder of The Mindfulness Practice, as they discuss practical ways mindfulness can transform classroom dynamics and enhance student wellbeing. Discover proven techniques and valuable insights into how to teach 15-minute mindfulness sessions in classrooms. Some highlights: Setting clear expectations for mindfulness practices and yoga Successful mindfulness activities like Belly Breathing and "Cross the Line" Addressing disruptive behavior with mindfulness Overcoming challenges in implementing yoga and mindfulness in schools Abby's journey and advice for aspiring kids yoga teachers Find Abby here: Website:https://abigailwilber.com/ Instagram: / abigail_themindfulnesspractice YouTube: / @themindfulnesspractice Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/abigailwilber Anxiety Warriors Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/search?term=anxiety%20warriors%20podcast Instagram: / anxietywarriorspodcast - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
1/11/25 • 38:49
Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Suzanne Tucker from Generation Mindful as they talk about how to nurture emotional intelligence in children. Suzanne’s chat includes both insightful stories and practical advice for parents and educators. Some highlights: Explore why understanding and regulating emotions is just as crucial as academic learning, with real-life examples. Learn the pivotal role of play in childhood emotional development and how it can be a tool for expression and self-regulation. Uncover the common myths about time-ins versus time-outs and their impact on children's emotional growth. Gain insights into the "ABCs of emotional intelligence" and how these principles can help children navigate their emotions effectively. Find out how Generation Mindful is transforming parenting approaches globally, encouraging mindful connections, and providing essential emotional learning tools. Find Suzanne Tucker here: Website: https://genmindful.com/Instagram: / generationmindful Facebook: / genmindful Pinterest: / generationmindful 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
1/11/25 • 38:15
Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Susan Verde, New York Times bestselling children's book author, as they talk about the art of writing for children and the impact of yoga and mindfulness in storytelling. Some highlights: Susan Verde's writing journey and inspiration from yoga and mindfulness Overcoming self-doubt and negative thinking when writing The importance of feedback and collaboration in the writing process Connecting emotionally with young readers through storytelling Encouraging aspiring authors to write regularly and share their work Find Susan Verde here: Website: https://www.susanverde.com/ Amazon: https://amzn.to/4c4Rlol (affiliate) Instagram: susanverde Facebook: / susanverdeauthor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 🧘🏽♂️🧘♀️🧘🏿♀️ Kids Yoga Stories, a mom-run and mom-operated business, was founded in 2012 by former classroom teacher and certified yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. During her travels and time teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, and educational resources to provide classroom teachers, school staff, coaches, and parents with the tools to bring yoga and mindfulness to children everywhere. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories Website: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/ Shop: https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/
1/11/25 • 33:10
Welcome to The Kids Wellness Podcast! I’m Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and I’m so excited you’re here. This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a community of educators, counselors, therapists, parents, yoga instructors, and anyone who’s passionate about helping kids thrive emotionally, physically, and socially. Whether you're here for fresh ideas, expert insights, or just a little extra inspiration, you’re in the right place. In this podcast, you’ll hear from amazing guests across all areas of children’s health and wellness. We’ll dive into practical tools and strategies to help kids self-regulate, manage emotions, and be ready to learn—no matter the setting. And just as importantly, we’ll focus on giving you the support and resources you need to make a real impact. So whether you’re looking for actionable tips to use today or a community that shares your vision, we’re here for you. Subscribe now to join us on this journey, and get ready for inspiring conversations, powerful insights, and practical tools to support the kids in your life. Thanks for being part of this growing community. I can’t wait to see the difference we’ll make—together.
1/11/25 • 02:19
