Digital Resources: Yoga and Meditation at Your Fingertips"I asked for strength - and I was given difficulties to make me strong. |
Helpful Websites and Online Articles
Free Video Recordings of my Rhythm & Flow Classes on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/L.P.Fisher.Library/videos/2040473276132275
https://www.facebook.com/L.P.Fisher.Library/videos/1150822385664488
https://www.facebook.com/L.P.Fisher.Library/videos/328844299116113
Active for Life: http://activeforlife.com/
A great website for learning about physical literacy for all ages, especially children. They also have learning resources for teachers and librarians. Highly recommended.
Health Finder: https://healthfinder.gov/
A comprehensive resource for finding out about your health and well-being.
Inner Body: http://www.innerbody.com/
An excellent resource on human anatomy, containing animations, graphics and descriptive links.
The International Association of Yoga Therapists: http://www.iayt.org/
Since 1989 the IAYT has been supporting research and education in yoga and yoga therapy. They publish two journals: The International Journal of Yoga Therapy, an annual, peer-reviewed journal aimed at teachers, therapists, and researchers and Yoga Therapy Today, a tri-annual publication for members focused on the practical applications of yoga therapy. Both journals are available in print and online. Some applicable and highly recommended articles: "Transformative Life Skills: Pilot Studies of a Yoga Model for Reducing Perceived Stress and Improving Self-Control in Vulnerable Youth" by R. Ramadoss and B.K. Bose; "YogaHome: Teaching and Research Challenges in a Yoga Program with Homeless Adults" by J. David-Berman and J. Farkas; "The Use of Touch in Yoga Teaching and Therapy: Principles and Guidelines for Effective Practice" by S. Parker and A. Sharma; "The Ethics of Yoga Therapy" by J. Hanson Lasater.
The Kids Yoga Resource: http://www.thekidsyogaresource.com/
Fun website and blog by Yoga for Children author Lisa Flynn. She offers tips, yoga program ideas and sequences, and product reviews.
Programming Librarian: www.programminglibrarian.org
The American Library Association's awesome resource for programming ideas. I blog for them on kinesthetic program ideas, like yoga, running, ballroom dance, and more!
The Science of Using Yoga to Heal Trauma: https://bitchmedia.org/article/science-yoga-and-trauma-ptsd-feminism-healing
Excellent article on how trauma-sensitive yoga classes can help heal the side-effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Yoga Activist: http://www.yogaactivist.org/
A non-profit group in the US dedicated to providing yoga outreach to diverse groups for little-to-no cost.
Yoga as Complementary Therapy for Cancer Treatment: http://www.turiyayoga.com/blog/the-advantages-of-using-yoga-as-complementary-therapy-3/
Blog post about the benefits of using yoga as a complementary therapy for cancer.
Yoga As Medicine, Health Conditions Resource: http://www.drmccall.com/uploads/2/2/6/5/22658464/yam--75conditions.pdf
Helpful PDF compiled by Dr. Timothy McCall, author of Yoga As Medicine, listing 75 conditions benefited by yoga, complete with bibliography of applicable scientific studies. Listed in alphabetical order, the list contains expected conditions, such as anxiety and back pain, but also contains some surprising findings, like the effects of yoga on organ transplant recipients, smoking cessation, and ovarian cancer.
Yoga in My School: https://yogainmyschool.com/
Excellent website promoting children's yoga programs with lots of helpful lesson plans, teacher tips, and up-to-date research in a variety of formats (pod-casts, videos, photo collages, etc...).
https://www.facebook.com/L.P.Fisher.Library/videos/2040473276132275
https://www.facebook.com/L.P.Fisher.Library/videos/1150822385664488
https://www.facebook.com/L.P.Fisher.Library/videos/328844299116113
Active for Life: http://activeforlife.com/
A great website for learning about physical literacy for all ages, especially children. They also have learning resources for teachers and librarians. Highly recommended.
Health Finder: https://healthfinder.gov/
A comprehensive resource for finding out about your health and well-being.
Inner Body: http://www.innerbody.com/
An excellent resource on human anatomy, containing animations, graphics and descriptive links.
The International Association of Yoga Therapists: http://www.iayt.org/
Since 1989 the IAYT has been supporting research and education in yoga and yoga therapy. They publish two journals: The International Journal of Yoga Therapy, an annual, peer-reviewed journal aimed at teachers, therapists, and researchers and Yoga Therapy Today, a tri-annual publication for members focused on the practical applications of yoga therapy. Both journals are available in print and online. Some applicable and highly recommended articles: "Transformative Life Skills: Pilot Studies of a Yoga Model for Reducing Perceived Stress and Improving Self-Control in Vulnerable Youth" by R. Ramadoss and B.K. Bose; "YogaHome: Teaching and Research Challenges in a Yoga Program with Homeless Adults" by J. David-Berman and J. Farkas; "The Use of Touch in Yoga Teaching and Therapy: Principles and Guidelines for Effective Practice" by S. Parker and A. Sharma; "The Ethics of Yoga Therapy" by J. Hanson Lasater.
The Kids Yoga Resource: http://www.thekidsyogaresource.com/
Fun website and blog by Yoga for Children author Lisa Flynn. She offers tips, yoga program ideas and sequences, and product reviews.
Programming Librarian: www.programminglibrarian.org
The American Library Association's awesome resource for programming ideas. I blog for them on kinesthetic program ideas, like yoga, running, ballroom dance, and more!
The Science of Using Yoga to Heal Trauma: https://bitchmedia.org/article/science-yoga-and-trauma-ptsd-feminism-healing
Excellent article on how trauma-sensitive yoga classes can help heal the side-effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Yoga Activist: http://www.yogaactivist.org/
A non-profit group in the US dedicated to providing yoga outreach to diverse groups for little-to-no cost.
Yoga as Complementary Therapy for Cancer Treatment: http://www.turiyayoga.com/blog/the-advantages-of-using-yoga-as-complementary-therapy-3/
Blog post about the benefits of using yoga as a complementary therapy for cancer.
Yoga As Medicine, Health Conditions Resource: http://www.drmccall.com/uploads/2/2/6/5/22658464/yam--75conditions.pdf
Helpful PDF compiled by Dr. Timothy McCall, author of Yoga As Medicine, listing 75 conditions benefited by yoga, complete with bibliography of applicable scientific studies. Listed in alphabetical order, the list contains expected conditions, such as anxiety and back pain, but also contains some surprising findings, like the effects of yoga on organ transplant recipients, smoking cessation, and ovarian cancer.
Yoga in My School: https://yogainmyschool.com/
Excellent website promoting children's yoga programs with lots of helpful lesson plans, teacher tips, and up-to-date research in a variety of formats (pod-casts, videos, photo collages, etc...).
Interesting DVDs and CDs

MacKenzie, Kevin. Fingersplay: Finger Plays and Action Rhymes for Children. Regina: Play Press, 2002. Available on DVD with booklet, digital edition and CD-ROM. DVD: ISBN 978-0-9731499-2-0; CAN $32.95
I was lucky enough to take a Fingerplay Bootcamp with Kevin a number of years ago and his humor and enthusiasm for delivering awesome finger plays for toddlers all the way up to teens was nothing short of inspirational. In fact, I regularly include a few of his gems into my yoga classes for preschoolers, elementary and even middle school kids; "Hands in the Air", "Worms Up, Worms Down", and "Book Stuck" are my three favorites. Check them out here: http://www.storiesbykevin.com/fingersplay.html. Finger plays are a great way to introduce literacy and movement to small children. This DVD of 23 original rhymes is an awesome addition to your professional development collection and you can add a second copy for parents to take home and try them out with their kids! The video quality is sometimes poor but the kids won't care and the inventive finger plays make up for it. My kids (age 2 and 7) will do them over and over again!
I was lucky enough to take a Fingerplay Bootcamp with Kevin a number of years ago and his humor and enthusiasm for delivering awesome finger plays for toddlers all the way up to teens was nothing short of inspirational. In fact, I regularly include a few of his gems into my yoga classes for preschoolers, elementary and even middle school kids; "Hands in the Air", "Worms Up, Worms Down", and "Book Stuck" are my three favorites. Check them out here: http://www.storiesbykevin.com/fingersplay.html. Finger plays are a great way to introduce literacy and movement to small children. This DVD of 23 original rhymes is an awesome addition to your professional development collection and you can add a second copy for parents to take home and try them out with their kids! The video quality is sometimes poor but the kids won't care and the inventive finger plays make up for it. My kids (age 2 and 7) will do them over and over again!
Hunter, Kim. Time to Play. 2014. 45 minutes. Available on DVD from http://www.timetoplayfilm.com/
Kim Hunter screened this film at the LP Fisher Public Library and I was so impressed I bought a copy for our collection. This terrific exploration of the importance of play is based on her two decades as a childcare provider in the Steiner/Waldorf tradition. In Waldorf schools, structured literacy training doesn't begin until the 7th year. Dr. Adam Blanning and Joy Winchell, MEd speak on-screen about how free-play and storytelling prepares children for the development of future literacy skills. They spend 4-5 hours of the day outdoors. Hunter shows the children running, scooting, climbing over rocks, and making up stories and games. These strong building blocks of physical literacy develop proprioception, gross and fine motor skills, geometry skills, math skills (counting on our fingers!), and prevent or alleviate learning disabilities, like dyslexia or ADHD, by integrating both sides of the body and modelling balance and self-regulation. A must-see for anyone working with children. |
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Inspiring Online Videos
Against the Stream, 28:08: http://www.tricycle.com, /blog/against-stream
In this great short film by Rikki Gunton, we meet Josh Korda, a recovering addict, former advertising executive and one-time street punk who now, at 53, teaches meditation and practices yoga in New York City. In the inevitable suffering, discomfort and uncertainty of life, Josh has found peace through his personal practice and openly sharing his life and experience with others. Visit the Tricycle Blog to see the video in HD.
In this great short film by Rikki Gunton, we meet Josh Korda, a recovering addict, former advertising executive and one-time street punk who now, at 53, teaches meditation and practices yoga in New York City. In the inevitable suffering, discomfort and uncertainty of life, Josh has found peace through his personal practice and openly sharing his life and experience with others. Visit the Tricycle Blog to see the video in HD.
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The Benefits of Good Posture; 4:26
Murat Dalkilinç explains in this fun little animated short why proper posture is so essential for good health. |
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Carla Hannaford, Playing in the Unified Field (Part 1); 9:02
Dr. Hannaford discusses her newest book, based upon her years of experience as a biologist, educator and parent, where she discovers we are so much more powerful than we think we are and that the number one thing we can do to positively affect our environment is to be vibrationally coherent. |
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Four Seasons Maui Ashtanga Yoga Retreat's David Swenson; 3:19
Watch Ashtanga Master David Swenson use his almost 60-year-old body to do things most of us wouldn't even dream of. An amazing testament to the power of yoga and the human form. |
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Never, Ever Give Up. Arthur's Inspirational Transformation!; 4:54
On of my all-time-favorite-most-watched-makes-me-tear-up-every-time yoga videos about a war vet with busted knees who takes up yoga, loses over 100 pounds and not just walks, but runs again. The underlying message is to get rid of the voice in your head that says, "I can't" and decide that you can. Just because you can't do a headstand (or downward facing dog) today doesn't mean you won't someday! |
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There is Nothing You Cannot Do; 15:37
TedTalk by Guinness Book of World Record's "World's Oldest Yoga Teacher", Tao Porchon-Lynch, aged 96. As a young child she was told by her aunt that yoga was only for boys, that yoga was "unladylike," and she said to herself, "Well, if boys can do it, I can do it." She lives by the philosophy that there is no tomorrow, only today. When she turned 87 she took up ballroom dancing and has won many awards. Tao has no desire to retire, she says, "I haven't finished growing up yet!" |
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Why Sitting is Bad for You; 5:04
Another fun, short animated TED video by Murat Dalkilinç detailing the detriments of sitting for long periods of time. A great reminder that your body is designed to move! |
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Yoga Nidra, 57:53
Join yoga teacher and Gulf War veteran (and overall wonderful human) Kerry Steuart as he guides you through this relaxing hour-long Yoga Nidra practice (also known as "yoga sleep") to improve healing and overall wellness. Grab some blankets, pillows, bolsters, dim the lights and prepare to be transported to a very soothing place. |
Copyright Jenn Carson 2015-2019