#243: Why Movement Comes Before Mindfulness with Lisa Danahy

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward sits down with educator, author, yoga therapist, and founder of Create Calm, Lisa Danahy, to explore the powerful connection between movement, emotional regulation, and learning.

Together, they discuss why movement is often the pathway to mindfulness, how educators can support their own regulation before helping children, and why calm and compliant are not the same thing. Lisa shares practical strategies that can be implemented immediately in early childhood settings while challenging traditional ideas about behaviour management and mindfulness.

In this episode, you'll learn:• Why movement fuels brain development and emotional regulation• The difference between mindfulness and mind control• How educator regulation impacts classroom dynamics• Why connection must come before correction• Practical strategies to support co-regulation and well-being

LISA DANAHY

Lisa Danahy (C-IAYT, YACEP, MS) is an educator, author, and leader in social-emotional learning focused on supporting emotional regulation, resilience, and well-being in early childhood and school communities. Through her nonprofit, Create Calm, she has helped facilitate meaningful cultural shifts in hundreds of schools nationwide, supporting students, educators, and families since 2016. With advanced training in yoga therapy, psychology, and over 30 years of experience in education and SEL curriculum development, she creates accessible, evidence-based practices that support whole-child development. Lisa specializes in working with neurodiverse, disabled, and underserved children and partners with educators and caregivers to bring sustainable self-care and regulation tools into early learning environments.  

LINKS

Website: createcalm.org

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Book: Creating Calm in Your Classroom

Radiant Child: www.childrensyoga.com 

Monday Mindfulness: www.MondayMindfulness.com 

INA Wellness: www.INAwellness.com 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

CONNECT WITH CARLA

The ECE Latte Lounge

Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠ 

Website: carlatheece.com

Instagram: @carlatheece