A group of 22 participants, 11 of which were child care workers from five of Grenada’s children’s homes, successfully graduated from a Teen Yoga Teacher Training course held from Dec. 2-4. This training, which was organized and funded by REACH Grenada, took place at the Fountain of Youth Yoga Studio in Grenada and was delivered by Erin Wilson of the New York based Karma Kids Yoga Company.
This year’s training awarded certifications to caregivers, thus enabling them to teach age-appropriate yoga techniques to the teens in their care. Instructors learned how to guide their students on a journey of self-exploration, giving them effective tools to handle stress, anger, anxiety, depression, and other challenges facing teens.
Instructors will now help their teens develop life skills and self-confidence, so that they will be empowered to pursue their passions and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. Training topics included a review of the health benefits of yoga for teens; games and activities such as self-esteem, body image, relationships, and sexual health.
Caregivers working in Grenada’s children’s homes, as well as REACH Grenada Program Facilitators, attended the three-day intensive training. Graduates included two child care workers from Queen Elizabeth Home for Children, two from The Dorothy Hopkins Centre for the Disabled and Elderly, three from Bel Air Home for Children and Adolescents, two from Father Mallaghan’s Home for Boys, and two from government of Grenada Emergency Shelter Center.
Additionally, three places were made available to members of the public who wished to participate in this excellent learning opportunity.
Jerry Bascombe, child care worker at Father Mallaghan’s Home had this to say about his experience:
“I am so grateful to REACH Grenada for being a part of such life changing moment. My first practice with the boys was yesterday and they were so into it that they just wanted to go on and on. I cannot thank Reach enough for this sign of hope for the boys and this new journey for myself.”
The recent Teen Yoga Teacher Training has set the stage for the expansion of REACH Grenada youth programs to all of Grenada’s residential care homes for children.
About REACH Grenada:
Founded in 2008, REACH Grenada is the principle program of the Bartholomew J. Lawson Foundation for Children, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization registered and located in NYC, New York. The REACH Grenada mission is to support Grenada’s vulnerable children using expert and evidence-based methods so that they have every opportunity to be healthy in mind, body and soul.
About Karma Kids Yoga:
Founded in 2003 and based in New York City, NY, Karma Kids Yoga LLC introduces children to the world of yoga and hopes to encourage an early practice of yoga that will continue into adulthood. The Karma Kids Yoga Teacher Training Program has trained hundreds of adults around the world to teach yoga to children.
