Parent Testimonials "Intense. Sensitive. Persistent. Strong willed. Both of my children seem to have taken a page from the book Raising Your Spirited Child. One struggles with anxiety, the other with frustration and anger issues in part
due to living with an underlying health condition that takes up much of her daily life. I was thrilled to find
Erika's Energy Awareness & Yoga for Kids classes through a mutual friend. Both kids really respond to
the fun, non-threatening environment and have definitely taken away skills that help them to manage their
feelings/energy in the real world. Taking the class together has helped them support each other as well.
One day while driving in the car my son, age 7, was going berserk about something (now inconsequential)
and about to get in trouble. His sister, age 5, was doing her best to help him stay out of trouble/reign it in.
Using a technique Erika taught in one of her classes about observing the world "from behind your eyes" or
pulling back to get some objectivity in an emotional setting, she was shouting at him, "Get your eyes behind
your head! Get your eyes behind your head!" So, she's still a little concrete/literal, but it was SO great to see
them working together to manage their feelings in a constructive way. Hopefully this will be a skill that will
carry them forward together as they navigate the various challenges that life--and being"spirited"-- throws at
them."
~ Jen Heinicke, MD
"My daughter (age 8) LOVES this class. This is from a child who does not generally like classes, or structure
of any kind. I have seen her use the tools she learns from Erika in her everyday life to help herself with
transitions and upset and even to just calm down after a long day . I love that she has a place to go where
she can explore emotions and how to manage them in a playful, supportive, non-competitive environment.
As a parent, I find this class to be invaluable. It's giving her skills that she will be able to use for her entire life;
so great to learn them at this early age."
~ Ann
"This morning my 8 yr old boy was very grouchy getting ready for school. As we were driving there,we talked
about trying to be pleasant even when we are tired and how said it would be to be grouchy the entire school
year. He laughed and THEN started meditating! He told me that it allowed the bad energy to leave his body
and the good energy to come in! Thanyou so much!"
~ Anonymous
"As my 5.5 year old was approaching a rather independent time in his life, I was SO thrilled to learn of Erika's
class! Although my son was a bit younger than the other children, Erika was open to letting him try it out as
he has watched and "done yoga" with me his whole life. Immediately we were was impacted by the tools he
was learning! Not only was he enjoying the yoga (as do I when we practice together!), but internally he was
gaining so much more and then turning around and teaching us too!! I have also witnessed him teaching his
friends and most importantly using his energy tools in his school environment, with his out of school play
friends and with his family!! On several occasions without being prompted my son has floored me with
verbalizing the tools he is using and teaching us at the same time. Now on his third session, never is a class
met with lack-luster! I have also witnessed a transformation in the way my son approaches difficult life
situations and all around interactions with the world he plays in. The gentle - yet fun! - guidance Erika
provides is something that can truly change the way children approach conflict resolution, play, and overall
life situations. Kudos and cheers to Erika for bringing such a great resource to our kiddos! Thanks Erika!"
Namaste ~ Rachel
"My husband saw an article about Erika and her Energy Awareness & Yoga For Kids and said
"I think this would be great for our 6 year old son". We weren't sure if he would like it or not,
but he LOVED it and by his request he signed up for 2 succeeding sessions. Not only is Erika
wonderful with kids, she teaches wonderful tools to the children in fun-loving ways and with kid-
friendly language. It is a great outlet and a special gift for all kids, but we noticed that boys in
particular really benefit from her teachings. They learn great tools for harvesting their energy
and different tools to handle situations when they are feeling frustrated, angry or scared. When
we least expected it, our son would blurt out, "I used my grounding cord today" and explain what
happened that led him to use this tool. He was also terrified of performing in a school play, but
we focused on various tools and he did the play perfectly, afterward saying that he wasn't even
scared. These are great life tools and it is wonderful to have a class where children can learn to
use them at a young age, building a strong foundation of peaceful techniques that will benefit them
throughout life."
~ Catherine
Kid Testimonials
" I like this class because it helps me calm down when I've had a rough day or feel bad, or even when I'm
feeling good. The meditation is my favorite, it makes me feel great!"
- girl, age 8
When learning about the grounding cord for the first time, an 8-yr old boy exclaimed, "This is so great, I got
really frustrated yesterday and didn't know WHAT to do with it.....now I do!"
" This class helps me not feel so hyper in school and I feel more calm in my body. The meditation is also my
favorite." - girl, age 7
" This class helps me calm down inside and be nice. My favorite is the pose where we fill ourselves up with
our energy." - boy, age 6
"I like the animal games." - girl, age 5.5
* The following are stories the kids have shared during class. I will do my best to quote from memory. I have
heard so many amazing stories and even new ideas of tools we ad to our toolbox!
" I was taking a test and started to get very frustrated because I couldn't figure out one question. I 'went behind
my eyes' [one of the tools we learn] and instantly felt better. I was then able to answer the question (got it right!)
and finish the test easily."
- boy, age 7
" I use my tools all the time, every day. [ I asked which tools were her favorite.] I use the grounding cord, golden
sun, being behind my eyes, and the eagle feather clearing before bed. They all make me feel better."
- girl, age 8
" I used my grounding cord for the first time while on the bus, because I was frustrated.[ I asked if it helped, and
he said 'yes!' Later on, I was describing the 'love cord' and he said] "that's what happened to me! The love cord
came up on one side, and God came up on the other side." - boy, age 6
(note - I use the word 'Love' in class to keep this open to all beliefs)
Grounding cord ideas from kids: trees, river, waterfall, legos, chocolate, trees, tomato plant,
crayons, grader, backhoe, snowplow, bulldozer, komoto dragon, bubbles, fairies, wind
and air that look like a tornado, trees with elves that push the energy down, road,
rainbow.
