“When I wrote the poem that became Yoga Adventures for Little Explorers, yoga consumed my life,” admits author, military mom, and yoga instructor Megan McDougall. “I loved how it made me feel. And I knew that the skills of focus, breath and movement were all things that kids needed to help them live happier and healthier lives.”
That moment in 2010 when she was struck by this inspiration — which she scribbled on the back of a MapQuest printout — would gestate for 15 years before blossoming into a children’s picture book, which is illustrated by Hayley Lowe and published this spring by Pownal Street Press.
Blending imagination, mindfulness, and movement, Yoga Adventures for Little Explorers takes readers on a playful journey through a jungle of possibility. Set in a yoga class, the story begins when a child embarks on an imaginative adventure through lush landscapes, learning to connect with nature and animals of all shapes and sizes. Soon, the rest of the class joins in, creating a shared experience that encourages movement, curiosity, and joy.
“The perfect storm of knowledge, experience and inspiration”
Little Explorers was sparked not just by McDougall’s passion for yoga, but also by her academic background and parenting experience. At the time, she was also pursuing her graduate degree and studying the work of her mentor, Dr. Terry Orlick, particularly his books Positive Living Skills and Cooperative Games and Sports for Kids.
“I was being introduced to the idea of fostering an environment where every child feels included, celebrates shared success, and builds self-worth through joy, rather than competition,” she explains. “I found so many similarities between his work with cooperative games and yoga. It appeared to be the perfect storm of knowledge, experience and inspiration that caused this idea to bubble to the surface” .
That inclusive spirit permeates the book. While yoga might seem intimidating to some, McDougall reassures caregivers and readers that it’s not about being perfect: it’s about showing up. “This is the most common thing I hear as a yoga instructor: ‘I’d love to do yoga, but I’m just not flexible enough.’ To that, I usually say, ‘Yoga isn’t something you do because you’re already flexible — it’s something you do to become flexible’.” Moreover, yoga is not just about physical flexibility. It’s about flexibility of the mind: “It’s the practice of breathing deeply and taking a step out of your busy life for just a moment. It’s doing something that doesn’t involve looking at a screen.” And “it doesn’t matter what you look like while doing yoga. All that matters is that you show up for yourself, breathe, and move with intention” .
Imagination, creativity, and wellbeing
McDougall’s message of mindful presence is especially relevant in our screen-heavy world, where parents and children are constantly pulled in multiple directions. As both a parent and a certified Mental Performance Consultant, McDougall underlines how “yoga and creativity naturally complement each other, partly because of the imaginative names of many yoga poses and their mythological origins”. Because of this, “it’s easy for kids to picture and act out poses like ‘airplane’ or to practise ‘lion’s breath’.”
This spark of imagination connects directly to one of the key skills she teaches in her role: visualization. “Visualization is the ability to imagine oneself in different situations. It’s a valuable skill for everyone – whether it’s dreaming up goals, problem-solving, or simply engaging in creative play.” And “developing the skill of visualization contributes to emotional and mental well-being because it helps kids learn to imagine positive outcomes and manage stress by creating a safe mental space” .
The book’s use of movement, metaphor, and setting make it an ideal entry point for wellness conversations in schools, as well as at home. McDougall believes her book can easily be adapted for classroom use, noting the ease with which yoga can be incorporated into daily routines..Because yoga and creativity naturally complement each other, yoga can spark movement breaks, refocus energy, or even help students transition between subjects, all while encouraging imagination and connection.
From scribbled poem to vibrant pages to a few minutes of connection
Though the poem at the heart of Little Explorers was written in one sitting, the evolution from MapQuest scrap to fully illustrated book was far longer. And for McDougall, watching the visual world of her story come to life was one of the most meaningful parts of the process. “The creative process of seeing my scribbled notes and thoughts come to life was truly incredible,” she enthuses. “Haley Lowe’s talent and artwork are my favourite parts. This book simply wouldn’t be the same without her.”
The pictures, bursting with colour and whimsy, are fully interactive. “Her illustrations, along with the sneaky hidden gorilla on each page, give kids a fun little challenge to search for as they embark on their journey through the story,” McDougall notes. “The playful silliness of the animals also invites children to think outside the box and dive into this imaginative world.” Her bottom line? “The world needs art! And Haley’s work is a great reminder of that for me” .
And like many children’s authors, McDougall drew on her own childhood reading memories when she sat down to write. One book in particular provided deep inspiration: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. “My mom still signs off her messages and emails to me with ‘Love you forever’,” she shares. “This story reminds me of the deep, unconditional love I have for my son, but it also allows me to reflect on how much my parents loved me (and continue to), even as I’ve grown” .
That thread of generational care—between parent and child, teacher and student, reader and book—runs through Yoga Adventures for Little Explorers. It’s not only a celebration of movement and imagination, but an invitation to pause and be present with the children in our lives. “I would like to add that being a parent is hard. And being present as a parent is even harder,” McDougall says in closing. “I hope that this book offers a few minutes of connection, joy and presence for parents and their children” .
Whether you’re a seasoned yogi, a first-time parent, or a teacher seeking a new way to bring mindfulness into the classroom, Yoga Adventures for Little Explorers offers you something that is increasingly rare and precious in our busy world: a moment to breathe, move, and imagine … together.
© Arpita Ghosal, Sesaya Arts Magazine 2025
