Playing games seems like simply child's play, doesn't it? You set up a situation, have pre-determined rules and a goal, and then go about reaching the goal, either competitively or cooperatively. Simple, right? Not so fast. There's an entire psychological theory that...
Practicing Self-Regulation with Children’s Yoga
Self-regulation is an often overlooked, yet quite teachable, tool we can provide the littles in our lives. In all honestly, I feel like it’s only been my adulthood exposure to yoga that has really helped me develop the ability to calm myself down, think through my...
Yoga is More Than Poses
It's very trendy to practice yoga these days. Like being "green", it seems everywhere you turn, someone is selling yoga. There are clothing lines hocking $80 yoga tank tops, websites offering props, books, and DVDs of the "latest" yoga style, and even discount...
What is Left When We Let Go?
The only constant is change. Change is inevitable. When one door closes, another opens. I’m sure you’ve heard many more quotes about change. What I know for sure is that with change comes the practice of, and the need for, letting go (like Elsa). Let’s explore the...
Introducing Yoga to Children – Poses and Beyond
Although kids’ yoga has become much more popular in recent years, kids can always benefit from going deeper into the aspects of yoga beyond the physical postures. In other words, they need to ‘break the ice’ with yoga itself and this is a great opportunity for...
Yoga and Blood Circulation in Children
*Today's guest blogger is Vineetha Reddy, a writer, yogi, and healthy food advocate. Follow her on Twitter (@rk_vin) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/vineetha.reddy.988) Parents always try to get their children the best of everything. For growing children, a balanced...
A Touch from the Heart
I recently learned that Thai Yoga Massage is considered a healing practice just through the form of being touched from someone’s heart. The practitioner’s touch is done through the act of unconditional loving-kindness known as Metta. By touching from the heart rather...
Visualize Your Business Blossoming
Meditation is a fantastic practice to lead a less stressful life. Meditation creates an alpha state so the mind is relaxed, present, and receptive. It creates a state of being still instead of busy. The senses become enhanced: sights, sounds, touching, feeling are...
The Yoga Octopus
At the end of each of my kids' Yoga classes I say, “May the world be filled with love and light and lots of peaceful children.” But in today’s chaotic world, how do we help children experience peacefulness? How do we help kids live and internalize the lessons and...
Amygdala Hijack – Take Back Your Brain!
You do yoga, you meditate, you smile and put on that calm face; but life isn’t always rainbows and kittens. Sometimes the sticky parts of life sneak up on us, and take over our normally calm demeanor. We all have those moments, someone cuts you off while driving, your...
The Right Way to Do Yoga
In my teacher training I learned principles of alignment, to which I adhered with razor-like attention. I practiced, memorized, and studied. I even taught this way for a while at the beginning. I still love alignment, but not for the same reason. Early on it was...
Flexibility Science – Part 2
As a 500-hour yoga instructor, aspiring Personal Trainer, and generally active person, I take matters of health quite seriously. I’ve had injuries in the past from running that have been horribly disabling. I watch people my age complain of aches and pains and be...
What Your Yoga Instructor Doesn’t Tell You about Flexibility
(And why kids of all ages need it) Everyone knows yoga can make a body more flexible. In fact, inflexibility is often the top excuse people give for not being able to take yoga, stating, “I can’t do yoga. I can’t even touch my toes.” It is also the subject of a common...