Painting sticks is a nature craft for kids and adults of all ages. Children love to explore nature in the woods, on the beach and in their own yards. Spring is the perfect time to discover and collect sticks that have been discarded by winter. As your children explore, have them collect interesting sticks of… Read More
BOOK of the MONTH – APRIL
This trickster tale about a clever monkey shares a valuable life lesson with young children about sharing. The Clever Monkey, told by Rob Cleveland, is a classic West African folktale. The simple, chronological text and vivid illustrations draw children into the story. They can easily identify the moral of this folk tale and love to… Read More
CHANTING OM
“So often in my (yoga) classes we will sound om, letting those three-voiced parts go very consciously through the cathedral of the mouth, and then sit for a moment in that silence after and simply observe what that feels like.” Bhavani Loraine Nelson OM is a mantra (song/vibration) that is traditionally chanted at the beginning… Read More
TREE POSE – VRIKSHASANA (vrik-SHAHS-anna)
Advice From a Tree Stand Tall and Proud Go Out On a Limb Remember Your Roots Drink Plenty of Water Be Content With Your Natural Beauty Enjoy The View Tree pose is a challenging balance pose, but not as rigid as many other yoga poses. With one foot rooted in the ground,… Read More
BOOK OF THE MONTH – FEB/MARCH
“Imaginations will soar from the rainforest floor, up through the canopy and back down again, following the circle of life in this clever adaptation of the song TheGreen Grass Grew All Around.” The Rainforest Grew All Around by Susan K. Mitchell is an excellent resource to introduce children to the wonders… Read More
PAINTED STONES
Several years ago my grandchildren and I began painting rocks we had collected at the beach. We told stories with them, played treasure hunt in the yard, decorated my garden and pots, and lined them up in their bedrooms. I used some of these stones to tell a story in one of my first children’s… Read More
BOOK OF THE MONTH – JANUARY 2016
How can children use breathing to deal with anxiety, anger and tension? In Frog’s Breathtaking Speech, Michael Chissick introduces us to a frog that learns four breathing techniques and how he can apply them in a stressful situation. Frog is worried because he has to make a speech about breathing and he doesn’t know anything… Read More
LION POSE (SIMHASANA)
“A lion sleeps in the heart of every brave man.” -Turkish Proverb Lion Pose (Simhasana) is a favorite of my yoga students of all ages, and helps relieve stress. The term ‘Simhasana’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Simha’ which means ‘lion’ and ‘asana’ which means ‘pose’. Simhasana, lion pose Step by Step: Kneel on the floor… Read More
Book of the Month – December
Phillip Hoose and his daughter Hannah have co-authored an amusing book for children ages 3-7, that teaches children life lessons and sparks much discussion in my yoga classes. The large, bright, cartoon illustrations by Debbie Tilley reveal the comical expressions on the human and ant faces. The text in Hey, Little Ant consists of the… Read More
GRATITUDE
As we begin the holiday season of hustle and bustle, it is important to pause this weekend of Thanksgiving and feel grateful. The centerpiece of my family’s holiday table this year will be a gratitude “tree”, which we create. At each person’s dinner place, children included, they will find a paper leaf in a fall… Read More
