Welcome!
E. Katherine Kottaras (she/they) is a contemplative writer, holistic teacher, and multimedia artist.
Katherine is the author of several novels, including THE BEST POSSIBLE ANSWER and HOW TO BE BRAVE, which was named by Barnes & Noble as a YA That Gets It Right: Mental Health Edition. She co-created YOGA ELEONORA on PillowFortTV and co-wrote the picture book A RAINBOW INSIDE MY BODY with Vanitha Swaminathan, illustrated by Holly Hatam (Viking, 2024). Her first nonfiction collection of meditations and writing invitations, HOW TO COME OUT TO THE JASMINE FIRST: ON WRITING AND LOVING IN THE NATURAL WORLD, is forthcoming in 2025.
Katherine grew up in Chicago and now lives in the Los Angeles area. She holds a B.A. in English Education, an M.A. in English, and an M.S. in Kinesiology: Integrative Wellness. As a registered yoga teacher, ACE-certified personal trainer, ACE-certified health coach, and Embodied Equity educator, Katherine is passionate about bodily self-determination and health equity. As an Associate Professor of English and VOICES Community-Based Learning Faculty Fellow at the community college level, Katherine is proud of her work as a writing and mindfulness teacher for nearly three decades.
Learn yoga, breathing exercises, and mindfulness through the rainbow of the chakras!
When I need to know how I am feeling, I can close my eyes and breathe.
In an increasingly stressful world, it is more important than ever to help kids establish helpful tools to manage it. In this colorful meditation, co-written by E. Katherine Kottaras and Vanitha Swaminathan with illustrations by New York Times Bestseller, Holly Hatam, young readers will learn yoga poses, breathing exercises, and more through the colorful rainbow inside them: the chakras.
Published by Viking Books for Young Readers
ISBN 9780593465691
Advanced Praise
“By connecting the chakras to natural elements children are already familiar with, Kottaras and Swaminathan provide an accessible and thorough guide for children to not only name their emotions, but to self-regulate through the excellent backmatter explaining how the chakras work and the yoga exercises that go with them. Highly recommended for anyone who works with or cares for children!”
-Akilah Brown, Multi-genre storyteller and Professor of Children’s Literature and Creative Writing
“Edifying fare for future yoga practitioners.”
-Kirkus Reviews
"With exquisite illustrations and elegant, grounding prose, A RAINBOW INSIDE MY BODY is the perfect antidote to our frenetic world. Teachers, librarians and parents alike should rush to buy this book, which beautifully introduces children to the underlying tenets of yoga. Who doesn't need more peace right now?"
-I.W. Gregorio, Practicing surgeon and award-winning author of THIS IS MY BRAIN IN LOVE
"A perfect fit for classroom Calming Corners!"
-YA Books Central
An excellent presentation for children on a topic as complex as chakras!
I doubt if it has been attempted before! Beautiful, attractive
illustrations, and lucid explanations.
Radha Janardhan, multilingual author and translator in Hindi, English and Tamil
Beautifully-illustrated picture book meets gentle, supportive resource. This picture book draws on the rich, ancient history of yoga to show children how each of them has a rainbow of tools inside to help process their feelings and worlds.
Danielle Davis, author of "TO MAKE"
This book is a must for any child young or old who loves meditation and yoga and wants to feel the joy of breathing and being. The imagery and repetition work convincingly to illustrate sources of wealth and beauty within our bodies and our innate spirit to thrive.
Emily Fernandez, author of "Pliny and Other Problems"
YOGA WITH ELEONORA
Kids feel all sorts of BIG feelings. Sometimes they're mad, sad, or super happy, and that's totally okay!
But figuring out how to respond to those big feelings can be tricky. That's where Eleonora comes in!
She's a friendly sloth who loves yoga, and she's here to help your child learn how to understand and communicate their emotions and needs in healthy ways.
If you're looking for a fun and gentle way to help your child develop emotional intelligence and self-regulation, YOGA WITH ELEONORA is the perfect choice. This animated series helps kids of all ages calm their minds and bodies so they can respond to and communicate their feelings in healthy ways.
YOGA WITH ELEONORA is now available as an Early Reader series!
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“I felt so calm after watching, and more confident in helping myself through situations. Even more exciting, though, I feel like I can help support my nieces and nephews when they are feeling angry and don't know what to do. I love these videos” -Trish Herrera, Aunt and Educator
“My 2 year-old has Autism Spectrum Disorder, and this is one show he can watch and not become overstimulated.”-Aubrey Marie, Mom and Early Childhood Development Teacher
“It’s for little kids, but I have to say Eleonora is calming for me too. Check it out, especially if you have littles.” -Kara Noe, Mom and Pediatric Cancer Advocate
