Blog Posts

May 09th, 2020

5/9/2020

Spring is taking its time settling in and with the delay, big feelings may be expanding with the lack of freedom that comes with bike riding, roller blading, kites flying, warm breeze brushing cheeks and tickling hearts. While we know that all feelings are OK, we sometimes begin to believe we are those feelings. This exercise is to help children (and adults too) understand that feelings come and go, just like the clouds float across the sky or frogs jump from lily pad to pond. The fish are not the pond. The clouds are not the sky. We are not our feelings.

1. Sit or lie quietly and draw pictures in your mind's eye.
2. Imagine you are watching fish swimming in a pond.
3. Each fish represents an emotion like fear, worry, anger, frustration, sadness, jealousy, happy, excited, any feeling that comes up.
4. Just watch the fish and their emotion swim by.
5. Try not to take on the feelings of the fish; just BE.
6. You will have feelings because everyone does, but that does not mean you are the feeling; you might feel angry, sad or afraid, but that emotion doesn’t define you That’s not who you are.
7. Watch, don’t judge, or engage with the feeling and it will swim by just like the fish in the pond.
8. You might like to say, “I am the pond. I am the pond. I am the pond.”, until you feel calmer. Be the pond!
9. You could do this with clouds and name the clouds and watch them go by, saying “I am not the cloud. I am the sky." Be the sky!
10. Name it to tame it. See the feeling for what it is. Name it and watch it swim, float or hop away. Let it go. (inspired by 100hours.org)

What do you think these frogs are feeling? Anger, frustration, worry, fear, disappointment, sad or something else? Name the feeling and watch it hop away! You are not the frog (or the feeling). You are the pond!

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NO MUD - NO LOTUS (Thich Nhat Hanh)

4/29/2020

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Find gratitude and joy in every day. Transform the challenging into a gift. Be compassionate during these times of anxiety and fear; lend a hand, a breath, your heart to those who need comfort, who feel deeply and for moments, at least, can see no light. Without the dark there would be no light. Without the rain there would be no rainbow. Without the mud there would be no lotus. Bloom where you're planted even if there is a little mud.

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You can change how you feel by changing how you breathe

4/28/2020

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At the best of times, children have big feelings. During these difficult times it is not just children who are struggling with emotions. I am sure you have heard and you have said, TAKE A DEEP BREATH. While this is good advice, if not voiced in a caring way, it may be annoying and could spark an even greater negative response.

It is absolutely true that the best way to change how you feel is to change how you breathe. When you feel out of control, the breath is the one thing that you can control. This is not only true for children but also for adults. Everyone can benefit from using this natural control mechanism. However, it is best to teach and lead by example.

Instead of saying, "Take a deep breath", HELP THE CHILD BREATHE.
Hold the child's hands and look into their eyes or hold them close or just mindfully stand nearby and validate their feelings and begin to breathe in deeply through the nose and exhale out the mouth or nose. Do this until the child begins to emanate the breath. As you begin to breathe slowly and deeply, you will begin to calm and bring calm to the one who is experiencing feelings that are moving toward a lack of control (or is already there). Stay close and breathe together.

BREATHE TOGETHER

We all need a little help from a friend

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What the World Needs Now is LOVE - let it begin with me

4/24/2020

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We know that words are energy. They can empower or destroy. We need to remember that this does not just apply to the words we say to others but also to ourselves. Whenever we use negative self-talk our brain begins to believe what we say. Likewise when we use positive self-talk we can increase our sense of self. What we practice we grow. What we send out, we get back. It is important to feel good about ourselves so we can help others feel good about themselves. Those who hurt are hurting.

This is a very simple daily practice for both children and adults. Simple but not easy. Please try it every day to help our world heal. We need to start with ourselves. My friend Heather practiced "365 Days of Self-Love". She healed herself of many health issues and the energy around her changed. When we offer ourselves self-love we are also healing those around us with our powerful love energy. This is a great family activity. Try making it a habit. See how those around you respond.

Everyone needs love. Especially those who least deserve it.
Start with yourself and watch it spread. The world needs love.

Each morning , PLACE YOUR HAND ON YOUR HEART and say,
1. "I love you (add your name)."
If this is too hard, try just saying,
2 ."Good morning (add your name)"
If this too hard, just
3. Put your hand on your heart and take a few deep breaths.
4.Then move to the other steps as you feel comfortable doing so

PLACE HAND ON HEART - GOOD MORNING (your name) - I LOVE YOU!

Good morning. I love you!

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April 22nd, 2020

4/22/2020

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HAPPY EARTH DAY (Affirmations and Craft)

4/21/2020

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We celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd each year but we should take care of the earth every day. Affirmations are words we can say to remind us to stay positive. The following Earth Day Affirmations help us remember to say Namaste to Mother Earth and to honour and respect her. You could copy these or make your own. Cut them into strips and put them in a bowl. Then you could pick one each morning to help remind you to be grateful for the earth and her children, (people, trees, animals, water, sky and her many other gifts), while doing something each day to show your love for her. You could say THANK YOU instead of Namaste. Either way be kind to Mother Earth and she will be kind to you.

Affirmations for Earth Day

We are all one family under the same sky. Namaste Everyone!

I play outside in nature. Namaste Trees, Grass and Sun (and mud puddles).

I plant seeds. Namaste Food and Flowers

I eat food that comes in its own package (skin).
Namaste Apples and Pears and Oranges

I pick up litter to help keep Mother Earth Pretty. Namaste Mother Earth.

I recycle paper. Namaste Trees

I hug a tree to give and receive love. Namaste Trees.

I look at the sunny sky after it rains. Namaste Rainbows

We are all interconnected. What I do to others, I do to myself.
Namaste Everyone and Everything!

I am creative. Namaste Pine Cones, Leaves, Sticks and Rocks

I turn off electronics and watch nature. Namaste Bugs, Buds, Frogs and Turtles

I breathe love, peace and joy to all that surrounds me.
Namaste People, Plants and Animals

I use reusable containers for lunch. Namaste Mom

I eat healthy vegetables. Namaste Rich Soil.

I carefully pick up plastics and metal. Namaste Animals

I turn off the lights and water when I am finished. Namaste Electricity

I reduce, reuse and recycle. Namaste Polar Bears

I am helping preserve Mother Earth for future generations. Namaste to ME!

Earth Day Craft

WHAT YOU WILL NEED
1. Coffee Filter (or paper towel)
2. Blue and Green washable markers
3. Spray bottle with water
Optional: Black construction paper
Alternately you could use 1 or 2 eye droppers for green water and blue, us

Method 1
1. Place the coffee filter on a protected surface
2. Colour the coffee filter with the markers
3. When the filter is fully covered, take outside and spray it with water. Squeeze the water out and allow a few minutes to dry.

Method 2
1. Place the coffee filter on a protected surface
2. Put green food colouring in water in a small bowl. Do the same in another small bowl with blue food colouring. Another bowl of water with blue food colouring in it.
3. Using an eye dropper (or 2) drop the coloured water on the coffee filter.
4. Allow to dry.

Trace hands on the black construction paper to make the hand silhouette to add to the world (made from the coffee filter). Of course any other colour of construction paper can be used to make the hands.

Place stickers or draw pictures of trees, animals, people, "anything" to the coffee filter world.

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April 21st, 2020

4/21/2020

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April 21st, 2020

4/21/2020

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The Three Gates of Speech

4/18/2020

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"The Three Gates of Speech" stems back thousands of years. There is some question of its origin but it has been widely accepted by Sages and other wise people that, "We are all one. What we do to others, we do to ourselves." Words and thoughts can empower or they can destroy. It is important to understand that the words and thoughts we speak and think begin within ourselves; hence, the vibration first works on the speaker.

This has always been important but perhaps no more so than in the present. We are living in unusual times. Some have found new found freedom and joy in family togetherness. For others, this is a very trying time with much concern, anxiety and fear. This is a time to really be mindful of our thoughts and words, to try our very best to be compassionate and kind. The philosophy behind "The Three Gates of Speech" is an excellent way to stay in check and use our powers for good.. Shine your light so someone else can shine.

1. In yoga we place our hands in Namaste (prayer position)
2. With your hands in Namaste put your thumbs on your 3rd eye (middle, lower forehead)
- before you speak ask, " IS IT TRUE"
3. Take your hands in Namaste down to place your thumbs on your throat centre
- before you speak ask, "IS IT NECESSARY"
4. Take your hands in Namaste down to place your thumbs on your heart centre
- before you speak ask, "IS IT KIND"

I feel that Namaste at your 3rd eye helps you know intuitively if it is true. Your throat or speech centre can help reflect whether or not if it is necessary. Bringing attention to your heart should surely help determine if it is kind.

Of course you can just run through these 3 gates of speech without using the Namaste mudra on each point. You can just think, is it true, is it necessary, is it kind before you speak.

Also we must be mindful that truth is not the same to everyone. We have our own truths. In the same way, we may think it is necessary but down deep, is it really? Finally, to ask is it kind, should be a game changer. Even if it is true and you feel it is necessary, say it with kindness.

If you have a choice of being right or being kind,
BE KIND!

IS IT TRUE? IS IT NECESSARY?

IS IT KIND?

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Regain Your Superpowers!

4/13/2020

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We all have feelings. All feelings are OK. However, when they get the best of us. it is time to bring them back under control. Jin Shin Jyutsu is a Japanese practice that, in this simple form, is easy enough for even very young children to do. In fact even infants know, innately, how to self-soothe by sucking their thumb or even by holding or sucking their fingers which would fall inline with this method of releasing tension.

When big emotions are taking over your whole body, these simple steps can help balance your energy to get your superpowers (love, joy, peace, calm) back!

1. Each thumb and finger represents emotions and hold pathways that carry energy to different parts of the body.
2. If you feel worried, hold your left thumb with your right hand while you breathe in and breathe out slowly and deeply. If you listen to your body, you might start to feel the energy flowing. It's ok if you don't though. Just hold your thumb for a minute or so while you continue to take some deep breaths.
3. If you are afraid, hold your left index finger with your right hand while breathing in and out. Follow the ideas above for the thumb.
4. If you feel angry, hold your left middle finger with your right hand while following the steps above.
5. If you are sad or insecure, hold your left ring finger with your right hand while following the above.
6. If you are feeling like you are trying too hard or lack self-confidence, hold your left baby finger with your right hand as above. Remember to continue to breathe mindfully.
7. Repeat these steps holding your right thumb and fingers with your left hand.
8. Hold ONLY the finger or the thumb that represents the emotion you are feeling or hold each, one at a time.
9. Place all your fingers in the palm of your hand to bring a sense of happiness and calm. (Then do the other palm!)
10. You could say, "I am a superhero! I control my feelings. They do not control me."

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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.

Affirmations for Earth Day

Earth Day Craft

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