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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

DIY Gratitude Jar

 
Courtesy Google Images
Count your blessings and store them for safe keeping and reminding.

“This is a great family activity that is ongoing and helps each family remember to pause for gratitude,” says Kate Hurley LCSW in her forthcoming book, “The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World,” (Tarcher/Penguin, $16.95), on sale this October.
Courtesy Tarcher Penguin


“Whenever a family member is feeling grateful about something, it should be written on a slip of paper and placed in the jar. Once a week, empty the jar and read the thoughts of gratitude to the family,” says Hurley. “The jar helps kids remember to slow down and be thankful for the little things, and helps stressed-out parents find their center and take comfort in knowing that gratitude is all around them.”
Fill it up!

WIN THIS BOOK!

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Clarity break! Desktop meditation toy helps to relieve homework stress

Courtesy Uncommon Goods
School workload building up?


Take a moment out from your study session to quiet and refocus your mind.
Handmade from monkey pod wood, this Zen Ball imitates the meditative sound of drums used by Buddhist monks.
Hold it from the bottom up and use the thick side of the stick to create a calming knocking sound. Peace out and all around!

(Zen Ball, $12.00 at uncommongoods.com)

 

 

Monday, September 28, 2015

Yoga's healing power. Teen beats anorexia, credits practice.

Courtesy YogaMaris.net
At age eleven, Maris Degener, from Clayton, California, was the shy type. By middle school, her phobias toward food developed, due in part to feeling socially uncomfortable, she says.
 
“I felt that I lacked a solid identity and didn’t belong to a community,” says Degener, now age 17.


Her compulsive food behaviors worsened freshman year of high school, as she searched for...

Friday, September 25, 2015

Flu season RX for kids - yoga!

It’s ba-ack!

‘Tis the time for runny noses, fever and cough drops. Yes, Flu season is upon us and will extend through next April. Besides the flu shot and obsessively good hygiene habits, yoga may have a preventative effect for youngsters, who along with the elderly, are a more at-risk population.
“When you’re stressed, you’re more likely to pick up infections and get sick. One thing yoga does is reduce stress,’ says Dr. Marleen Meyers, Director of the Perlmutter Cancer Center Survivorship Program and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at New York University Langone Medical Center.
Furthermore, “Many of the poses used specifically make the immune system cells circulate more," says Dr. Meyers. "For example, opening your chest allows the sinus gland to put out more immune cells. Twists also help by letting the spleen, which filters bacteria, and the lymphnodes to get more activated. By stimulating the immune system, the body can better prevent and fight off infection.”
If your child practices yoga regularly and contracts the flu, he may need to cut back while he’s ill.
“He should listen to his body. If he’s got a 104 degree fever and feels crummy, it may not be the best time to do poses that require extra strength. However, if he’s sick, gentle stretches might feel wonderful, but don’t over-do it.  Make sure he can sit and breathe comfortably. He shouldn't feel he has to return to his normal intensity. Minimal is better than doing nothing,” says Dr. Meyers.

 

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Bully-proofing our schools through yoga

Courtesy Calming Kids
Can’t we all just get along?


Bullying and violence is unfortunately escalating in schools, even with mandated bully-awareness programs, says Dee Marie, MA, CYT and founder of Calming Kids Yoga, an organization which brings classical yoga in to elementary schools during the school-day curriculum to teach ahisma –non-violence to self and others.  
“Yoga is a lifestyle, not just an exercise routine. We look at all aspects of yoga, how we feel in our body, how we breathe and process thoughts, how we communicate and treat ourselves and others,” says Marie, whose six-week long programs have had impactful results.
Based on questionaires circulated to students prior to the Calming Kids sessions, kids admit to not being able to handle stress, having headaches, losing sleep and being fidgety, says Marie.
However, “After six weeks of yoga, they felt they could handle stress, communicate more effectively, bullies were bullying less and those being bullied could stand up for themselves better,” says Marie.
To spread her successful teaching method, Marie launched a five day teacher training program and has trained educators nationwide and globally.
Marie later launched an online teacher training and estimates 2500 teachers, physical therapists, and child psychologists.
“We’ve found in our research model that students are better able to handle themselves better and manage stress after our yoga program,” says Marie. “There is a decrease in feeling angry or anxious for no reason and up to 94% less hitting. My vision is that by 2020, every child in school will learn reading, writing, math, breathing and relaxation. My mission it that yogic-principles go mainstream.”

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

That's a wrap! Hot new accessory for Autumn's chill

Courtesy Ivivva
Warm up your body and soul on the way to yoga class.

D
on this lightweight, cotton scarf on-the-go, or during Savasana.

Courtesy Ivivva
Ivivva’s ‘Om the Go Scarf’ in sprinkler/aqua marine/pink lemonade or ultra violet/aqua marine/black. $34/each at ivivva.com)

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

To dye for! Toddler bottoms for little yogi fashionistas


 
For downtime or downdog, the young yogi in your life can stretch out and chillax in BohoBebes line of yoga pants for kids.

Handmade and shipped from Dorado, Puerto Rico, the light, stretchy, cotton-spandex bottoms with fold-over waistband flare at the ends, are super cozy and soft on the skin.

(Available in Lace Band, Tie Dye, Paisley Print, Navy Blue, and Tribal prints from $18.00/pair and up at https://www.etsy.com/shop/bohobebesboutique)

Monday, September 21, 2015

Namaste, dude! Teen baseballer-turned yogi to teach practice to peers

Courtesy 16-year-old Brice Sullivan
Through yoga, sixteen-year-old Brice Sullivan from Coral Springs, Florida, is upping his game in sport and in life.

This past Spring, having tried a live-music Vinyasa class through Yoga Fox, of Delray Beach, Florida, Sullivan was smitten with the ancient practice.

“I was timid at first, but adjusted and kind of fell in love with it,” he says.

An outfield baseball player for Stoneman Douglas High School, Sullivan returned for regular classes and discovered yoga’s benefits had...

Friday, September 18, 2015

Give 'em an apple a day...chip style!



Courtesy Three Works Snacks
Move over Frito Lay, a healthier, new chip is making its way to grocery store snack aisles.
Fruit chips are a kid and caregiver go-to, healthy snack option, and now, Three Works Snacks ®, a Canadian-based snacking brand is being introduced here, through World Finer Foods, a leading supplier of specialty food, beverage and personal care products.
The line of fun, crunchy, Apple Chips are born right on the tree, picked, sliced, naturally flavored and dehydried ™, creating a unique, crisp texture and crunch, without the fat, gluten or added sugar.
Distribution of three fun flavors (So Original, Pinch-O-Cinnamon, and Berry Berry) begins this month. Happy snacking!

 

 

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Get hooked! Cozy up your yoga look with crocheted mat gear


 

Courtesy Sams Crochet
With the fall season upon us, this hand-knitted yoga mat carrier exudes style and warmth. It’s machine washable, so just toss in to your laundry load to clean off sweat. Drawstring closure at top for a secure fit. Multiple colors available.

Custom Open Crochet Yoga Mat Bag, $36.00 at www.samscrochet.storenvy.com
Courtesy Sams Crochet

 
Looking for a lighter assist? Yoga Mat Sling Handles are designed to loop around the ends of your rolled mat for easy carrying. Machine washable and sold in lots of eye-popping colors.

Yoga Mat Sling Handle, $7.00 at www.samscrochet.storenvy.com



 

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

It's internship season! Leading yoga magazine offers fall employment opportunities


Courtesy Google Images
Hey college bound yogis, the leading authority on yoga and the yoga lifestyle may be looking for YOU.

Currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, Yoga Journal magazine is actively seeking student seasonal interns in various departments.
Do you love reading and writing about your yoga passion? Perhaps an Online Editorial Internship is up your alley? If you’re already majoring in journalism or planning to, during this three-month commitment, Web interns will have the chance to develop content for yogajournal.com, maintain photo libraries, proofread articles and help to maintain social media accounts. Position located in YJ’s Boulder, Colorado office. A small stipend is offered.
Courtesy Yoga Journal
If you’re always plugged in to what’s trending in yoga online, consider the Social Media Internship. In this post, you’ll produce content for the YJ’s social media platforms, keep abreast of social media measurement and weekly metrics, and develop photo assets. Position located in YJ’s Boulder, Colorado office. A small stipend is offered.
Do you have a head for the business of yoga? YJ offers a Marketing Internship for Yoga Journal Events. The un-paid, for-credit position is open to students in the San Francisco Bay area. In this capacity, you’ll gain experience in event production and marketing for the magazine’s five national yoga conference produced annually. Each event draws 1500-2000 attendees and yoga instructors from around the globe.
The YJ Marketing Internship is another based in the magazine’s San Francisco office, and for which you’ll be a part of the events team. You’ll assist in preparations for upcoming shows, and longer range marketing/branding projects. Tasks will include, compiling media lists, monitoring web presence through social media, writing creative Facebook and Twitter posts, responding to fan inquiries and monitoring message boards, and more.
For more information, and/or to apply for an internship position, visit: http://www.yogajournal.com/employment/ 

GOOD LUCK!

Monday, September 14, 2015

Grooming gurus! Midwestern yoga studio launches first teen teacher training program

Courtesy Anna Limauro
The itch to teach yoga has hit the tween set.

This January, twelve year-old Anna Limauro, of Carmel, Indiana will take part in a teen-specific, yoga teacher training program, through Blooming Life Yoga Studio, of Zionsville, Indiana.
“I want to teach others, especially girls around my age, to have more confidence about body issues and self-esteem,” says Limauro, who tried her first yoga class as a fifth-grader.
“I couldn’t find a sport that clicked with me and enjoyed yoga. It helped me to...

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Must have backpack knick-knack for young yogis!

Courtesy SweetPea Online Gifts

All-natural, handmade lip balms will protect smiles in yoga style!

(Set of 5 in Poppin Cherry flavor, $7.49 at https://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetpeaonlinegifts)

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Peaceful, playful warrior? Action figurines draw boys to yoga


Courtesy Yoga Joes
If your son or the 'little dude' in your life has rejected your overtures to try yoga, consider humoring him on to the mat.

Yoga Joes, a line of mini green figurines for ages 3 and up that look like classic, plastic toy soldiers, is the brainchild of Dan Abramson, a San Francisco-based designer and beginner yogi, who was seeking a way to make the practice more guy-friendly.

Abramson raised $108,000 to launch the products through Kickstarter, as interest was high and fast. Beyond sparking an interest in the ancient Indian practice, Abramson also hopes the little army men helps kids to celebrate military men and women for their practice of discipline, according to his campaign’s website.

Courtesy Yoga Joes
Yoga Joes vary from 1-3 inches high, and come in zen yoga studio packaging with a bamboo floor. Poses include Downward-facing Dog, Warrior Two, Cobra, Child’s, Meditation, Headstand, Tree, and Crow.
(Yoga Joes 9/pk set, $25.00 at yogajoes.com)

 

 

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

To market, to market. One yogi-preneur's baking tools for success



Courtesy YummiYogi
After a decade in consumer marketing, mompreneur, Amy Dube, of Brick, New Jersey knew how to take a product to the masses.

“I helped small to mid-sized businesses grow their brands,” says the mother of two daughters under age five.

When her employer unfortunately closed due to investment bankers, Dube began taking yoga classes and...

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Calling all yogi and mompreneurs! Niche crowdfunding site is looking for you


Have a nifty product idea? Get that elevator pitch ready for the Internet.

This September, mom and family-centric crowdfunding portal, MsGenuity, launched Project Kids, a program to fund early learning and entertainment products that make kids’ lives better.

Overseen by Marcia Christ, MsGenuity CEO and former Creative Director and Senior VP at ad house Ogilvy & Mather, one of the Project Kids projects includes, Helping Kids on the Spectrum, a yoga course for kids and their parents to achieve a higher level of calmness and attentiveness.

Other ventures in need of backing include, Bracees – accessories for pre-teens to individualize their braces and Pajama Monsters – stuffed huggables and stories to chase the gremlins from a child’s life, among others.
"Within the male-dominated crowdfunding industry, Moms, who purchase 85% of all US goods, but who partake in less than 10% of all projects, can now influence product design, invest in new products and share their findings with others through the portal," according to MsGenuity's press release.
Let the lightbulbs go off and the investing begin!

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Chocolate healing. Indulge and bliss out with Chakra-inspired treat

Chocoveda's Chakra Box
This delectable truffle assortment is richer than meets the eye.

Beneath their surface beauty, each of Chocoveda brand's all-natural, dairy-free, 70% dark chocolate truffles correlates to the seven energy centers of the body.

The product's creator based her line on a life-long chocolate passion and Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing system that empowers individuals to lead more balanced states of living.

Flavors include chai, tangerine, ginger/lemongrass, green tea, peppermint, pomegranate, and honey/vanilla.

Breathe more peace, love and healing in to yourself with every bite!

(Chakra Box, $30.00 at chocoveda.com)


Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Yoga as sport. Are you game?



Courtesy Dizzy Crane
Just
read this ESPN Q&A article online, on Andrea Nikki Ortiz, the 26-year-old interior designer and yogi from New York who rose to the spotlight this year as our nation’s national Asana champion.
 
If you were unaware of the competition, it’s organized by the United States Yoga Federation (USA Yoga), a non-profit organization that aims to...