Halloween Yoga for Kids

Teaching yoga to kids at Halloween time is a wonderful and super FUN opportunity to stretch the imaginations of the children in our classes. Halloween adventure stories make for a perfect themed lesson plan. Here is a basic story I've used in the past with preschool to first graders:

Note: Set the ambience by dimming the lights and placing a carved pumpkin in the center of the circle with a battery operated candle in it. Halloween-themed music with no vocals is nice too - just make sure it's not too scary! You can find lots of themed music CDs this time of year for as little as $1 at places like Wal-Mart or Rite-Aid.

Halloween Night….

What are you being for Halloween this year? Don't say it out loud. Think about how you can create a yoga pose to demonstrate who you are goinng to be. Take your time. Let's take turns showing our pose and everyone else can guess what you are going to be. (Note: Once the pose is correctly identified, have the entire class try out the new pose.)

Let’s go for a walk around our neighborhood and stop at each house to see if they’ll give us a trick or a treat! WALKING, WALKING SONG

What do we see? TREE, MOON, STAR

Up in that tree is a BLACK CAT…hisssss…meow!

We keeping walking and come to a BRIDGE – let’s cross!

On the other side of the bridge are four scary-looking creatures!
The first one is a LION (Lion’s Breath)
EVIL WITCH, SPIDER, GHOST

The creatures all start giggling and soon you realize that they are actually your friends dressed up their Halloween costumes! They want you to come with them to a Halloween party – So you all hop on THE BUS and go! (WHEELS ON THE BUS SONG w/movements around the room)

The bus stops and you all get off and see a spooky, old creaky GATE. You open the gate…creaaaaaeeeaaaK and walk through it into a dark yard with lots of viny TREES everywhere.

Up ahead is a sign that say’s ‘Take the BOAT across the river to the party!’ and you notice that there are indeed a bunch of boats lined up along the bank of the river. So you get in and paddle your BOAT across. (While holding boat pose, sing the orginal Row Your Boat song or use ChildLight Yoga's version from the I Grow With Yoga CD.)

As you and your friends come to the other side, you see that you have arrived at a wonderful party. There is a swarm of happy people that come down to greet you when you park your canoe, yelling ‘Happy Halloween!!!!!’


For some other awesome Halloween yoga ideas, please read The Prana Mama's related post titled, Halloween Yoga: Yoga in Disguise and Yoga in My School's post highlighting some great SPIDER pose variations, perfect for this age group.

The Candy Dilemma

Due to allergies and family's personal preferences, I skip handing out candy at yoga class and instead give out treat trinkets such as sticky pretend spiders and the like. You can get these really inexpensively at places like Oriental Trading Company online.

Outside of class, Halloween can be a time where overindulgence is common. Candy and sweets are fine once in a while, but at our house, we often have lots left over after trick or treat, and that isn't healthy for any of us. Recently I just read a good article in Raising Maine about how to handle the influx of candy at halloween. Another idea that we've used is to decide which candies are our favorites and give the rest away (a great lesson in aparigraha, or non-attachment and bramacharya, or self-control/moderation). I like this idea better than just throwing it away, which is wasteful. We put the candy in recycled containers, such as yogurt tubs, and bring it to our service providers like the local bank, post office, etc. so that they can give it away as they wish...and make someone's day a little sweeter.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

ChildLight Yoga celebrates National Yoga Month with FREE kids/family yoga classes!

Join us in celebrating peaceful living AND National Yoga Month at the annual Peace Day Exeter event on Sunday, September 20th, 12 - 5pm at Swasey Park in Exeter, NH. ChildLight Yoga will have a booth with info about our fall classes, our signature Tees for infants, toddlers, big kids and adults, I Grow With Yoga CDs, and raffle giveaways. Come say 'hi!' to Heather Warr and Lisa Burk-McCoy, our amazing Exeter area instructors, then participate in one of the few mini family & kids yoga classes we'll be offering that day - Free!


PEACE DAY EXETER PRESS RELEASE:
The Peace Day Exeter festival will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2009 in the lovely downtown Swasey Parkway between the hours of Noon and 5 PM. Activities for the festival include workshops and games for children, music and poetry, guest speakers, panel discussions on peace and sustainability issues, and other exciting events at the Swasey Parkway gazebo and surrounding green.

Some of the participants and speakers to date include: Julia Simon-Mishel, the national Managing Director of the Student Peace Alliance; Kelly Moore with Music for Mankind; Eric Cohen with the Massachusetts Coalition to Save Darfur and The Tents of Hope Project; Sarah Brown from The Green Alliance; Open Minds with Marilyn Kellogg; Andrea Renz with Exeter Area Interfaith CropWalk; Barbara Thorngren from Nashua Community Technical College; the Taoist Tai Chi Society; and music supplied by Tom Duffy and Chordwood; and other speakers and musical guests.

The festival is planned to coincide with the UN International Day of Peace. Teachers and students from around the Seacoast area are invited to stop by the Peace One Day Education Resource USA table at the festival to sample its educational materials. Peace One Day is a non-profit, nonpartisan, humanitarian organization founded by Jeremy Gilley - the man who spearheaded the establishment by the UN of its International Day of Peace. The POD Education Resource campaign is sponsored by Ben and Jerry's, with the goal of distributing its educational materials throughout the United States, having started this Spring in New England.

The Blue Moon Market and Cafe and The Divine Cafe will supply a wonderful array of food and drink. Phillips Exeter Academy students will work with children in supportive and educational roles. Films and meditative exercises for adults are also scheduled.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or folding chairs and enjoy the day's activities. Non-perishable food items will also be collected at the festival and donated to the Seacoast Family Food Pantry. The Cage at Phillips Exeter Academy of Exeter is the rain location for this event.

Our event sponsors include ESSO at Phillips Exeter Academy, First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter, Blue Moon Market - Exeter, Serendipity of Exeter, Seacoast Words of Peace - Stratham, Sperry Tents Seacoast - Portsmouth, and Exeter Jewelers. Any proceeds from the event will be donated to Peace One Day Education US.

For more information and directions, please visit our webpage: www.peacedayexeter.org. If you're interested in volunteering for Peace Day Exeter, please contact either Cindy Lategan (cindy@peacedayexeter.org) or Bob Moore (bob@peacedayexeter.org or at 603-642-4648).

Finding the Right Yoga Teacher for Your Child

by Lisa Flynn
A few days ago, I got a phone call from a parent seeking a yoga class for her son. She asked me a lot of questions such as, "How would you describe your teaching style?", "Do you use visual props?" and "How do you handle shy children?". Admittedly, it took me a little off-guard. Though these were all very good questions, I realized that no one had ever asked them of me before. Why not? We hand our children over to virtual strangers each time we send them to a class or lesson - shouldn't we all be asking such questions? As I thought back, I realized that though I don't ask these questions of my children's teachers, dance instructors, or coaches outright, the answers do present themselves soon enough.

Whether it's from my observations, comments from my kids, or from interactions with the various adults with whom I entrust my children, it soon becomes clear what the teaching style is, and how well (or not) these adults understand and have an ability to relate to children. Here is what I have observed through training others to share yoga with children, and through my observations of my own children's teachers and coaches (almost all of whom have been wonderful, by the way):

1) Teaching children comes more naturally for some than others. You either 'get' kids, or you don't. Typically, a willingness to be silly, play and not take oneself too seriously is the key here.

2) Great teachers are balanced in their demeanor and energy. The energy you emit gets sent back to you tenfold, so a balanced presence is a must. Have you ever noticed how your child is seemingly drawn to this type of teacher? There is a sense of safety created which enables your child to be his/her true self - trust is created, facilitating the learning process.

3) An understanding of, and ability to adapt to, student's varied learning styles is essential. There is a nice reference to how this relates to teaching kids yoga in an article titled, Doing Yoga With Kids, found at YogaHub.com.

...choosing the right teacher for you and/or your child is essential.

One of the things to consider is whether or not your potential teacher is aware of Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory. This theory states that there are various categories of intelligence that human beings have, and that each one of these areas should be nurtured to help children reach their full potential. Every person has intelligence in the following areas: intrapersonal, naturalistic, interpersonal, musical, visual, linguistic, kinesthetic, and logical. Yoga can be a strong tool to help children cultivate each of these areas and it is therefore important to know whether your child’s teacher knows how to use these ideas and apply them to the practice of yoga.

In a nutshell, we all typically have a dominant learning style or 'intelligence.' So, in a yoga class of say 8 students, it's a sure thing there will be more than one way that everyone learns best. One child may learn best by listening closely to instructions, another by watching a demonstration, and yet another by jumping right in to try something out. A good children's yoga instructor will have the ability to address each student's dominant intelligence, while also cultivating and encouraging development of those that are less dominant.

So, the next time you are looking for a kids yoga instructor for your child, don't be afraid to ask, "What is your teaching style?". If they are worth their salt, they will make it a point to discuss their teaching technique as addressing various learning styles.

For good reason, an understanding of multiple intelligences is at the foundation of ChildLight Yoga's Kids Yoga Teacher Training and many other reputable programs as well. Find a Certified ChildLight Yoga Instructor near you. Other recommended programs:

Karma Kids Yoga
YogaKids
Next Generation Yoga
Itsy Bitsy Yoga (for children 0-4 yrs)

Back to School or Back to Stress?

by Lisa Flynn

It's almost back to school for many of our children - exciting for some and daunting for others. Families can easily become overwhelmed with thoughts of school supplies, getting the 'right' sneakers and backpack, packing nutritious lunches in the age of packaged snacks, getting to school on time, excelling on the soccer field, organizing carpools, and so on. It can be exhausting just thinking about it all...Imagine how our children must feel at times - especially when we, the parents, are the ones racing around with our heads spinning!

Most children are too young to understand what 'stress' is but, according to the experts, children today suffer from stress now more than ever. In addition to hectic lifestyles, they are bombarded with news of terrorism, war and violence, and a culture filled with time-saving (??) and educational (??) technological gadgets. Sometimes, it's just too much for young, developing minds and bodies to absorb. With little to no coping mechanisms, children often end up suffering chronic stress, which can then lead to all kinds of health issues. Stress can manifest itself in many ways in children: night terrors, acting out, hyperactivity, feigned (or real) illness, lethargy, fearfulness, eating issues, bed-wetting, etc.

What can we do as parents to ensure that our families stay calm and healthy? One suggestion would be to keep things simple and allow for downtime - limiting after-school activities, for example. Parents may opt to save time and energy during the ultra busy school/work-week by making freezable dinners ahead of time over the weekend. How about sorting, ironing and lining up school and work outfits for the week on Sunday afternoon? Are missing shoes and backpacks typically an issue during your household’s morning rush? A cubby organizer system may be a worthwhile addition to your entryway area. Try working together as a family to find opportunities to simplify and save time and energy. Inevitably, this will lead to more time for play, rest and rejuvenation during downtimes – wonderful antidotes to stress.

As health and wellness initiatives increase in importance throughout the school arena, school administrations and teachers are seeking ways to short-circuit tensions in the classroom as well. After all, schoolwork, testing and ever-changing standards are stressors for teachers and students alike. More and more, teachers are recognizing the benefits of and then utilizing relaxation techniques in an effort to short-circuit tensions and anxieties in the classroom. Conscious breathing exercises, visual imagery and yoga poses are reportedly not only proving fun for children, but by accounts, extremely beneficial as well. The idea of using ‘yoga tools’ in the classroom is the brainchild of Tara Guber and Leah Kalish, respectively Founder and Director, of Yoga Ed.™, an organization based in L.A. whose mission it is to bring yoga to today’s increasingly stressed schoolchildren. As highlighted in the September, 2007 issue of Yoga Journal Magazine, Yoga Ed.’s Kalish “believes yoga can teach physical health in an engaging way while providing emotional and psychological benefits.” For two years now, teachers at Central School in South Berwick, ME have been utilizing ChildLight Yoga's Yoga 4 Classrooms program to incorporate yoga tools into their class day. Other schools around the nation are following suit.

Whether it’s yoga and breathing exercises, improved time management, fewer after-school activities or packing school lunches the night before, there are many ‘small things’ that can be done to reduce stress during the hectic school year. Do you or your family have an idea you’d like to share about managing school time stress? Please contact us or post your comments here. Your thoughts may be included in a related future article.

For more information about bringing yoga into the classroom environment, please visit www.yoga4classrooms.com.

Yoga and Parenting - Part I: My Son has ADD

by Lisa Flynn

My 6 yr. old son Jack was recently diagnosed with ADD...on top of an earlier diagnosis of Sensory Integration Dysfunction (also known as Sensory Processing Disorder). In a nutshell, his nervous system is in overdrive most of the time.

As I think back to his first year, it makes sense. We couldn't take him out anywhere as he was oversensitive to noise and chaotic environments - family gatherings, the grocery store, and pretty much everywhere. At 3 years old, we noticed that he couldn't follow simple two step instructions - he would head in the right direction and promptly 'forget' what he was doing. At 4, his preschool teacher casually mentioned that he didn't seem to hear her when she spoke (he passed a hearing test). And then, this last January, his Kindergarten teacher pulled us in for a meeting and told us she was concerned about Jack's inability to focus on her voice and the tasks at hand. She said that though he was not hyperactive and was generally well-behaved (and very bright), he could be quite loud, was easily aggitated, and did not seem to be able to pick out her voice and instructions in the midst of everything else going on around him. Onto evaluations...and voila! - a diagnosis of SID and ADD.

I have not missed the irony in the fact that his mother teaches yoga and relaxation to children. We yogis are apparently not exempt from having children with attention issues (an exaggerated inability to be present). But, I like to think Jack was born to me because I AM a children's yoga instructor. And, in so many ways, on so many levels, he is my teacher as well.

Admittedly, this is not exactly the motherhood I had envisioned (picture: me practicing downdog with my peaceful children on a beach...). These last several months have been consumed by OT and PT sessions (I forgot to mention he's also in physical therapy for tight heel cords/calves, flat feet and inpronation), one on one work with Jack at home, visits to the Naturopath, further expensive testing, time-consuming experimentation with natural remedies (ever tried to get a 6 yr. old to take a tinctures and capsules?), inventing new kid-friendly meals due to recently discovered food sensitivities to dairy/eggs, frustrations with insurance company/coverage...well, you get the picture.

Never before have I relied so much on my yoga practice. The yama of aparagraha, or non-possessiveness/non-attachment tells us that holding on to possessions or ideas causes suffering. Letting go of our attachments eases suffering. From a mother's perspective, this can feel like an oxymoron. Isn't it our job to protect and fix - to do anything and everything in our power to make sure our child is happy and well? Sort of.

The truth is, as much as I'm looking for it, I can not control whether or not all of these therapies and natural approaches will improve Jack's ability to focus or lessen his SID symptoms. It's possible that after everything - the time, energy, money, worry - he will still need medication during school hours (more on this in Part II). I remind myself that there is probably no miracle cure, and I'm trying hard to be okay with that. I need to accept the fact that Jack's happiness and well-being are not completely in my control. AND, my happiness and well-being is not dependent on it. As a parent, that's a tough pill to swallow (no pun intended). Remembering the following has been helpful:

Practicing non-attachment does not mean loving our kids any less...It means loving them for who they are.

Jack is Jack, whether or not he has special needs or culturally determined 'issues.' He's kind, funny, smart, and his snaggle-toothed smile melts my heart.

As I head in now to peek over the railing of Jack's top bunk, I relish the moment, this moment, watching the peaceful, beautiful boy who is my son. I suddenly feel no need to change, fix or control - just love. Fortunately, that's the easy part.

Here is an article I found in Yoga Journal which goes into more detail about the practice of non-attachment in parenting. It's aptly titled, The Yoga of Parenting. Take a read....

Amazing Breastfeeding Video

This superb video will help initiate this process right from the time the baby is born. The video is such a joy to watch! It shows the power of nature fostering breastfeeding and adding to the medicinal, nutritional and bonding between mother and child in what can only be described as magical! It is BEAUTIFUL and EDUCATIONAL - also, it was filmed in India...

http://breastcrawl.org/video.htm

Thanks to Helen Garabedien of Itsy bitsy Yoga for forwarding this amazing video.

Family Yoga at Kids Day in South Berwick

With a group of over 20 children and their parents, our family yoga class at the 1st annual Kids Day in S. Berwick, ME was awesome!! Thanks to Lisa Jones for sharing this photo :)

Vacation Prescription

My family arrived home at 12:30am this morning from a week-long vacation in Florida. Tired, but happy. Nope, we couldn't really afford the trip - in fact, we has originally agreed we weren't going on our annual family vacation this year. I'm so glad we changed our minds at the last minute!

We shared costs by renting a big house with extended family, grocery shopped and ate in most of the time, and let the kids play in the pool for much of the trip, rather than heading out to the pricey amusement parks. Much to our delight, it was the best family vacation we've ever had. We actually had quality time together!

We realized something so simple, yet very important. We don't need to 'entertain' our kids with expensive outings, restaurants, and tons of planned activities. Great news for the kids and great for us, too (the most work I did was turn the pages of a book I've been trying to read for a year while watching the kids in the pool) - and it was a lot easier on the pocketbook, too.

Tips: Skip the pricey Disney parks and buy the 14-day combo pass to Seaworld and Busch Gardens - currently just $89 per person at www.seaworld.com. We went to both parks twice. One day we toured Seaworld and watched the dolphin show. The next day, after spending a leisurely day at the pool, we returned to Seaworld at 5pm for the Shamu show. We split Busch Gardens up similarly so that we spent no more than 4 hrs. at the park each day - the kids were much happier and so were we! On our last day, we went to Downtown Disney (free entry) and ate our picnic lunch, packed at home that morning, on a balcony while listening to a free concert.

If you have friends or family with children your own children's age, team up and share a house. The kids keep each other entertained! I recommend www.orlando4villas.com. You can get some great deals right now...ours was a 7 bedroom with a pool and hot tub, washer/dryer, etc. in a gated community called 'Emerald Island Resort', minutes from everything important in Orlando. Don't be afraid to haggle on the price! We did and it paid off.

Total cost of the vacation including flights, groceries, park tickets, split house rental, parking, etc.: about $2,800 for a family of four. Value of the this special, quality time with my family? I know, I know, I shouldn't say it but I can't help myself... priceless!!

I highly recommend it.

Lisa