Blog Archives

Mindful Moments

3/31/2020

I am so impressed with how this family responded to an email I sent asking if I could offer any assistance during these difficult times navigating the Coronavirus. My young friend, shown above, and his younger brother have attended my summer yoga camps for 3 years and have learned more than I could have imagined. This is not the first time they have taken those hours of summer camp fun and turned them into valuable lessons for so many of us to learn, including me! This is how they have integrated some meaningful activities into their daily routine. I am so touched and honoured.

Their mom set a chime alarm to sound twice a day, once mid morning, once mid afternoon
They call this the "Yoga Barb Chime", understanding it is to remind them that I am thinking of them (I AM!)
As they remember that I am connecting with them through the chime, they are also reminded to connect with each other.
1. They CONNECT
2. They choose a BREATH PLAY
3.. They repeat AN AFFIRMATION and/or
4. They do a YOGA POSE (of their choice)
5. They RELAX and/or
6. They RESET their MINDS and HEARTS
7. They TALK about FEELINGS - perhaps how they relate to the pose they chose, thinking of characteristics of the pose they could apply to themselves or perhaps how they felt before their connecting time and/or after this calming time together. This is an opportunity to talk about how this new lifestyle is playing on their mind and in their hearts or anything else that might be sitting with them.

This is a perfect yoga class in a nut shell. Done twice (even once) a day it is as good as any 30, 45 or 60 minute class done once a day or once a week. It is enough. It is perfect.
The children are my greatest teachers.

Namaste Dear Ones: The Love in Me Sees the Love in You

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SHARKFIN (A Mindfulness Exercise)

3/30/2020

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Sharkfin is a cool and fun way to practice mindfulness It was created by a group of 5th Graders in a school in California. They wrote a whole book called Master of Mindfulness How to Be Your Own Superhero in Times of Stress. You don't have to be in Gr. 5 to do the great mindfulness ideas in this book. Anyone, any age can do them to R E L A X, help
F O C U S and to become more M I N D F U L
This is how to practice SHARKFIN
1. Begin with the 5 S's:
Sit or stand or lie STRAIGHT, (sit) STILL, (sit) SILENTLY, breathe SLOWLY, eyes SHUT
2. Take the side of your hand, put your thumb against your forehead with your fingers lined up beside your thumb
3. As you breathe in try to relax your body; as you breathe out with a long slow SHHH, draw your hand down from your forehead, your nose, throat. stopping at your heart centre
4. You can just leave your one hand at your heart centre or bring your other hand to meet in prayer or Namaste position at your heart or maybe you'd like to put your hand(s) flat on your heart centre. Do what feels comfortable and right to you.
5. Stay in this position and just breathe, still practising the 5 S's for as long as you feel comfortable or for a predetermined amount of time. Even just a few breaths is OK to start. You can try to practice for longer each day if you can. You can draw pictures in your mind of feeling safe, loved and loving while you do this exercise to be mindful.
6. If you are alone a programmed soft chime (on a phone or other device is OK) would be a nice way to come out of this quiet place. If someone is there with you, they could quietly sound a chime or singing bowl or just say it's time to bring yourself slowly back into the room. Wiggle your fingers, wiggle your toes, move your shoulders, arms and legs, open your eyes and finally come fully back into the room when you are ready. Know there is no need to rush. Take as much time as you need to come back slowly and smoothly.
7. Take a minute to see if you are feeling more relaxed.
8. Do this as a formal practice or on the spot for just a breath or two if you need to calm or feel more focused.
9. BE YOUR OWN SUPERHERO IN TIMES OF STRESS

ACTIVITIES:
Draw how you feel.
Think about sharks. What do you admire about them? What makes you fear them?
What in your life makes you think it is like a shark - good or not so good?
Do you feel like you're sinking or swimming?

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BALLOON BREATHING

3/30/2020

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Sit tall, stand tall Or lie down on your back
Imagine your belly is like a balloon
Put your hand or a toy on your balloon belly
Breathe IN - feel your balloon belly grow bigger (rise up or move out)
Breathe OUT - feel your balloon belly deflate (Just like a balloon losing air)
Breathe slowly and deeply - feel the air go right down lower in your lungs which in turn pushes your lower belly out
This breath play helps calm your body and your mind
When you feel worried, scared, sad, angry, frustrated or any other big emotion, use this breath to calm:
Breathe IN a SHORTER time (4 counts) than you breathe OUT (6 counts) to CALM
This breath can also help you feel more energetic
When you feel tired, bored or lethargic, use this breath to energize:
Breathe IN LONGER (6 counts) than you breathe OUT (4 counts or squeeze air out saying HA!)
The in and out breath in each case should be comfortable to you, not necessarily the numbers above
Practice this breath play when you don't need to control and big emotions so that it is easy to do when you do need to feel calmer and in control

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In 2020, it is almost 20 years since, the Children's Garden began bringing yoga to children and their families. Jennifer and Barb (Yoga Barb) Westgate, were the first 2 in Ontario and the 4th and 5th in Canada to be certified children's yoga facilitators, through YogaKids. Since that time they have both studied under many other renown experts in the field of children's yoga, health and well-being. Jennifer, a speech and language pathologist, a certified reflexology and Reiki practitioner and a student of Sonia Sumar (Yoga for the Special Child), brings a well rounded experience to all children, but especially to those with different abilities. Yoga Barb offers Metamorphosis, Reiki and Emotional Support through her private yoga programmes and during group classes upon request. Her background in behavioural sciences, mother, child care provider, certified parent educator, and now "Gran" to 4, have enhanced her natural ability to provide a nurturing environment to all who seek her guidance.