The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital is licensing my emotional health video curriculum.
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The videos will be streaming on patients TV’s twice a day to give them and their caregivers tools to destress through deep breathing, mindfulness, and guided imagery—once in the am and again in the evening before their bedtime story.
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I got to introduce myself over their TV, lead a class to a few kiddos/staff and gawk over their gorgeous tree art in the middle of the atrium!
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These young warriors learn to be so strong and courageous at such a young age. It is an incredible honor to be invited into their world.

 

Hello,

Each week I get to walk through the hallways just as the bell rings at a local middle school.

As I was walking down the stairs a flood of students were walking up. Some yelling, some walking silently and others with their eyes glued to their phones with ear buds in.

I saw the student on her phone with earbuds in today and thought… I totally get it. We need to be able to tune out distraction and release anxiety when we are constantly overstimulated- especially when the bell rings!

I enjoy teaching tweens/teens because they have a very clear voice on what they want to learn. Today I asked them what they wanted our last class to look like next week.

A few said watermelon and ice cream and then the girl next to me said, “I want to learn tools to manage stress and anxiety.”

The time is now.

Photo Courtesy of Unsplash: Carlos Martinez

We’re excited to announce that all of our trainings will have the option of continuing education credits through Yoga Alliance.

Participants can also continue to use their certificate of completion for continuing education for professional development.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, therapist or someone interested in bringing yoga and mindfulness to youth, we would love to have you participate! Imagine learning healthy coping strategies early on?

We are on a mission to help the next generation thrive! Will you join us?

Next Training:
June 1st and 2nd
9:00am-3:00pm
Kindness Yoga Hilltop: 455 s Hudson St. Denver, CO 80246
Facilitator: Samantha Myers

 

Hello!
I’ve been loving my class at Woodford Family Services through Sea Change Yoga. I have the opportunity to share yoga and mindfulness practices with children with special needs. We have a consistent group of students who show up each week with their parents and/or behavioral health practitioner.

Building each class reminds me to include each of the 5 elements below:

Here are 5 tips when bringing yoga and mindfulness to youth: 

1. Community
Before we dive into any practices we create community by circling up and sharing. I start each class asking the students to share their name and something from the day that made them happy. It is always so rewarding listening to what makes the children and adults happy! “Outdoor recess!” “A warm cup of coffee” “playing legos!” When we create community, students feel safe and heard right away, before diving into practices that could be new for them.

2. Breathe
After we connect to one another we begin to breathe. I’m talkin’ big huge deep belly breaths. If we can teach children what it feels, looks and sounds like to take big beautiful breaths they will have this tool forever! I always like to share that when we take big deep belly breaths we can calm down our bodies and minds. “Does anyone feel like their minds race and move quickly and maybe their heart beats quickly? This is a tool we can use when we want to slow/calm those feelings down”.

3. Consistency
A visual schedule is a great way to let students know what to expect and where you are at in the class structure. This is important when working with all learning styles. Sharing the schedule at the beginning of class lets the students know what to expect, and also leaves room for variation. This helps students feel safe and secure.

4. Variation
Kids love to learn something new! Maybe it’s a new breath, mindful moment, yoga posture or guided imagery. They love to feel challenged with support. Breaking a challenging posture down into 3 simple steps allows them to stay at whatever step is the most comfortable for them. For example,
Airplane:
Step 1: One foot forward
Step 2: Arms behind you
Step 3: Maybe you take your foot off of the ground and hover your torso to fly!

5. Sharing 
The final part of our class is always guided imagery. Sometimes we go on an imagination vacation to the forest (the audio recording I use is below), other times we soar peacefully on a cloud to a place that helps us feel safe.

Last class, we went to a place that made us feel safe. At the end we each shared where we went. They get so excited to share! “I went to my home” “I went to a magical candy land!”. When I run out of time, sharing is the first thing to go. I am realizing that creating more time and space for this is such a beautiful gift. To listen to others share where they go in their mind when they are feeling uncomfortable will give us all new tools to bring with us into our lives.

Each class I am deeply humbled to work with these students and with Sea Change Yoga. Experiencing different personalities and self-expression is contagious! Being in the present moment with students is one of my favorites feels in the entire world 🙂

If you are in Denver we have a teacher training coming up in Wheat Ridge on two Separate Sundays. Lead by the lovely and talented Jennifer Werner!

Trainings

Practical Tools to Calm

Getting overwhelmed doesn’t feel great.
Minds tend to race, jaw clenches, shoulders creep up toward the ears.
Breath is shallow and focus is fleeting.

If panic and overwhelm seem to be poking at you, feel free to give these tools a try:

Breathe~ When we lengthen our exhale we send a signal to the brain that everything is going to be ok.
Inhale deeply into the belly and exhale all the air out completely before taking in another breath. Try this 3-5 times to relax mind and body.

Mindful Moment~ When the mind is going a million miles per second we tend to be in the past or future. Bringing our attention to the present moment can calm our nervous systems and interrupt the cycle of racing thoughts.

Pause. Bring your attention to your feet. Maybe wiggle your feet in your shoes, lift the heels and root down through all four corners of your feet (two in the ball, two in the heel). Feel the earth beneath you as you bring all your attention to your feet and how they feel inside your shoes/socks.

This simple exercise is powerful because it brings your attention to the present moment and can interrupt racing thoughts, especially with practice. When we practice these tools consistently they have the power to change our brains and regulate our nervous system.

We have a training coming up at the end of the month that will share simple and powerful tools to help YOU and YOUTH calm the nervous system. We would love to see you there!

More information

Photo by Henry B from Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@henry_be