Confronting Doubt, Shame and Fear

Confronting Doubt, Shame and Fear

Host Donna Freeman discusses how to work with kids darker sides with guest Cheryl Crawford, founder of Grounded.

Discover how addressing kids darker states of mind can relieve their perceived expectations of always having to be happy. This awareness leads to lighter and brighter clarity.

Learn how allowing and recognizing shame, doubt and fear in the lives of youth, helps them to feel whole, to recognize themselves and to know they are perfect just the way they are today.

Cheryl will provide specific examples from her work with at-risk and under-served populations in Atlanta.

 

 

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Meditation for Kids

Meditation for Kids

Anyone who works with children knows that they are often noisy and rambunctious. This natural energy is a wonderful part of childhood.

Aruna Kathy Humphries of Young Yoga Masters also knows how important it is for children to be quiet, to tap into their inner stillness and to discover personal peace.

Aruna stops by YIMS to chat with host Donna Freeman about the power of quiet, the benefits of meditation for children and youth and her advice for parents and teachers on accessing inner calm quickly and easily.

 

 

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Yoga in Schools: Turning Research into Effective Programs

Yoga in Schools: Turning Research into Effective Programs

One of the most often asked question for school-based yoga programs is “Does it really work?” The International Association for School Yoga and Mindfulness (IASYM) responds with a resounding “YES!”

Our distinguished panel of quests will discuss some of the current research being conducted and how that research is translated into powerful school-based programs, bringing calm, focus and learning readiness into today’s classrooms. Karma Carpenter, Director of IASYM, Lynda Meeder, Director of YogaKids, Anne Buckley-Reen, OT & founder of Get Ready to Learn, and Cheryl Crawford, founder of Grounded, join us to share their experiences in researching the effects of yoga and mindfulness in schools. Discover how yoga is impacting kids, teachers and administrators through innovative programs proven effective by University research.

 

 

 

Our panel of amazing guests can be found at:

Karma Carpenter

Facebook

 

Anne Buckley-Reen

Facebook

 

Cheryl Crawford

 Facebook

 

 

Lynda Meeder

Facebook

 

 

 

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Yoga for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

September 9th, 2011 is Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day. Next week I’ll be giving a workshop on how yoga can assist children with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). The information is especially valuable to parents, therapists and yoga instructors. Here are some of the highlights of this workshop.

What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term for a spectrum of conditions that include fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), fetal alcohol effects (FAE), alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD). All of these are caused by maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. There is no cure for FASD. However early detection and proactive interventions have been found to be effective in improving the functioning and quality of life for children with FASD.

What are the symptoms of FASD?

There is a wide range of severity of symptoms with FAS from mild to severe. These are the most common symptoms.

  • slow growth
  • deformities of the joints, limbs and fingers (especially the 4th & 5th fingers)
  • poor co-ordination
  • vision and hearing problems
  • learning disorders
  • heart defects
  • kidney problems
  • short attention span, hyperactivity, poor impulse control, extreme nervousness, anxiety

Benefits of Yoga for FASD

Yoga is an effective adjunct therapy for FASD thanks to its personal adaptability. Due to the varying nature of symptoms of FASD individualization is essential. Spend time talking with parents, other care givers and most especially the child, getting to know them, their interests, the specifics of their diagnosis, etc. This is essential to creating a yoga routine tailored to meet their needs and abilities.

Yogic breathing techniques are an effective way of helping children with FASD increase awareness and reduce stress. Keep the exercises fun and of short duration, repeating often.

Children with FASD learn best in concrete, hands-on learning environments. Focus on basic yoga poses keeping instructions simple and specific with lots of activities. Repeat poses often. For example teach a few key poses, read a book which incorporates those poses and play a game with the poses. Use visual aids and music. Develop a routine and structure to each session to help with retention and predictability.

Social skills are acquired as children interact with the instructor, therapist and other children. Partner poses are a wonderful way to connect with others, develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and teach participants how to interact one with another. These are keys skills in building friendships which is often a challenge for children with FASD.

Yoga sessions for children with special needs should be positive, engaging and joyful. This is therapy with heart which considers the whole child as an amazing, incredible individual with much to offer. Be patient and trust that the skills you are teaching will assist the child throughout their life.

Yoga for Children with Special Needs

Also check out our extensive library of articles under the Special Needs category.

Shakta Khalsa For the Love of Children

Shakta Khalsa For the Love of Children

Shakta Khalsa has been a leading expert in yoga for children for the past 35 years. Founder of Radiant Child Yoga and author of Fly Like a Butterfly, Shakta strives to empower children to harness their natural wisdom and radiance and carry it with them to adulthood. Her teacher training courses have inspired thousands to share the benefits of yoga with young yogis. A veritable “Mother of Kids Yoga” Shakta is compassionate, understanding, genuine and lives with her heart wide open. Spending time with her will enlighten your day as she shares insights gained over her years of touching the hearts and lives of children around the world.

 

 

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