Hi! My name is Suzanne
Suzanne Mapes is the creative director behind the Feed Your Soul Project. She lives in Long Beach, CA with her family.
Suzanne is an American Council on Exercise Instructor and Youth Specialist, Cosmic Kids Certified Yoga Instructor, and Certified Art Instructor. Suzanne works as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant in a pediatric clinic providing therapeutic interventions for kids with special needs.
COTA/L #2806
“My first graders have had the pleasure to do yoga with Mrs.Mapes several times this school year. They kids are always very excited and eager to have her come. She has a unique style of teaching the students through literature books that they know and can connect to. This leads to a mind and body connection like nothing they have seen in the past.
With the obesity epidemic and the level of stress children are under these days, I feel Mrs. Mapes and her yoga classes are of great value to students. They seem calmer and they connect exercise with “fun”. I can not say enough good things about yoga in schools. Mrs.Mapes has such good rapport with the students and they literally beg for her to come back almost immediately after she leaves! I am very thankful for her service she has provided to Tincher students.”
Edmee Myrick
First Grade teacher, Tincher Elementary
Thank you so much for the fabulous YOGA lesson today. My Kindergartners were so engaged in your story about the baby lion who couldn't roar but persevered on so that soon he could. Each animal had a YOGA pose in your story that they learned to do. You took them through the story and reenacted each animal character in a way that they would be able to remember what YOGA position each animal was.
After that, you played two great YOGA games. I can't remember the name of the YOGA Master, but one was Simon Says (which I always got caught doing the wrong thing!), and the other was like Freeze when you stop the music. They LOVED the games. After, the calming music relaxed them and quieted them down. It was really interesting when you asked them about their feelings and how their body felt. They weren't able to express HOW they were feeling just what feelings they had. I think that is a more mature skill in learning to understand what your body is trying to tell you and how to take cues from that.
Thank you so much for including Kindergartners in your YOGA lesson today! I truly appreciate YOU!
Ms. Morooka
Kindergarten teacher, Tincher Elementary
My fourth grade students have greatly enjoyed practicing yoga with Mrs. Mapes this year. Her innovative style of teaching helps to enhance the benefits of yoga, such as teaching the students how to focus on breath, balance and concentration, while also encouraging friendship, fun and teamwork during partner yoga. I have observed them gain confidence in a healthy non-competitive environment, as well as return to learning in a more relaxed and energized manner. I know my students are grateful every time Mrs. Mapes spends time practicing yoga with them.
Sincerely,
Heidi Undlin
4th Grade teacher, Tincher Elementary
Our Story
The Feed My Soul project was created to nurture and tend to ourselves in a simple and loving way. Teaching us to slow down, breathe and embrace the “awesomeness” inside all of us. Through functional movement, games, and visualizations we move energy through the body to help calm the mind. It is playful, creative and presented in a positive encouraging environment so that every child feels safe and welcome. Kids will benefit from increasing their body awareness through improving strength and flexibility, coordination and posture. Balancing poses will increase strength, attention and focus. Games and partner poses create positive social interaction to improve self esteem and confidence. Breath work oxygenates blood through the body to improve nerve function to help calm the nervous system and encourages emotional balance for coping with stress and anxiety.
