Celebrate Mother’s Day the yoga way with our special guests. Discover how women continue to balance family and career while carving out some personal asana/meditation time.

Candice Garrett joins us to talk about the importance of yoga for Moms including pelvic floor health, the Yoga Sutras of parenting and the power of a single breath. Then the producer/director of YogaWoman: The Film, Kate Clere McIntyre will shed light on the impact women on having on the world of yoga and the awakening of female power around the globe. This is a special episode dedicated to women everywhere as they nurture themselves, love passionately and lead powerfully in this moment and into the future.

Original Air Date: May 10, 2012

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Connect with Candice Garrett at Nine Moons Yoga on Facebook. Here are the Mama Sutras we referred to during the interview.

Discover YogaWoman.tv on Facebook and leave a message if you want the movie to come to a theatre near you.

Enjoy all our archived interviews available on iTunes including guests Cora Wen, Sadie Nardini, Waylon Lewis, Bob Weisenberg, Karma Carpenter, Amy Saltzman, Briohny Smyth and many more.

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This is Part 4 in a four part series on Om. Enjoy Part 1: Om the Sound of the Universe, Part 2: Chanting Om: How to Teach Kids to Chant (video), and Part 3: To Om or Not to Om

Why It’s Great to Chant OM

There are numerous benefits to chanting and employing music to teach children and teens (see Benefits of Music in Kids Yoga Class.) “Om” is the primordial sound of the universe, the first vibration of creation, the eternal sound of the divine. “Om” in particular helps center and calm participants, bringing a sense of peace, focus and connection to ourselves, each other and the world. When chanted in repetition “om” is invigorating, strengthening and an effective way to release stress. Here are a number of the benefits of chanting “om.”

Physiological Effects

• slows the heart beat
• relaxes muscles
• calms the body
• decreases blood pressure
• oxygenates the blood
• massages the spine, chest, core, throat and head through vibrations

Mental/Emotional Effects

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The International Association of School Yoga and Mindfulness (IASYM) knows the times are a-changing. Karma Carpenter Shea, IASYM Founder, joins us to talk about the rising trend of bringing yoga and mindfulness into schools. The goal of IASYM is to promote pediatric health through sustainable yoga, mindfulness and contemplative ed programs for students and staff. She’ll share why mind-body tools are becoming so popular. As well, we’ll delve into some of the science behind the hoopla. Special guests include Debbie Cohen, Ryan McGraw, Dee Marie and Rachel Glowacki.

Original Air Date: March 13, 2012

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Learn more about IASYM on the K-12yoga.org website.

Thanks to everyone who listened, called in and participated. We’ll be offering more in-depth interviews with experts on various topics of interest to yoga instructors, teachers, administrators, researchers and others in the coming months. Be sure to LIKE us on Facebook and sign up for our newsletter (right hand sidebar) to stay in the loop of what’s coming.

Please share this interview and promote mind-body education in schools.

Coming SOON – review and give away for Rachel’s award winning #kidsyoga app.

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Canada’s Largest Yoga Fundraiser Raises Autoimmune Disease Awareness

Millions are impacted by arthritis and autoimmune conditions. Canada’s largest yoga fundraiser, Power of Movement encourages putting your downdog to good use and raise funds  to beat arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Twenty three cities will host Power of Movement events on Sunday, March 4, 2012. Kim McNeil, Calgary Power of Movement Ambassador, joins us to talk about the important roll yoga can play in alleviating the symptoms caused by autoimmune conditions. She’ll give tips for individuals with arthritis who want to practice yoga and let you know how you can get involved in an event close to home - Families welcome!

Take on the Power of Movement Virtual Challenge in support of arthritis and autoimmune research. All funds raised are donated to the Arthritis Research Foundation.

DONATE HERE.

Original Air Date: February 22, 2012

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Connect with Kim on Twitter @KimMcNeilYoga or Facebook Kim McNeil Yoga.

Learn more about Power of Movement HERE.

In the interview Kim refers to this book Yoga for Arthritis by Loren Fishman - which I’ll definitely be getting my hands on ASAP.

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Briohny Smyth caused a ruckus, Michael A. Stusser made us laugh. Hear from each of them on the effects of the 2012 Equinox video.

Briohny Smyth started 2012 with a bang: featured doing yoga in what became a highly controversial ad by Equinox. She joins us to chat about her experiences, her yoga practice and what it’s like to be at the center of a proverbial tornado.

In response to the Equinox video Seattle based writer Michael A. Stusser created his own version. A decidedly different version of an early morning yoga practice. Michael will share the why and how of his own personal yoga journey and the power of not taking ourselves too seriously.

You don’t want to miss this.

Original Air Date: February 8, 2012

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In case you’ve been living in a yoga cave and somehow missed them, here are the videos we’re talking about. Fun to do a play by play comparison to see how well Michael’s parody was done.

Other noteworthy articles include:

• Kathryn Budig’s interview with Briohny for Huffington Post
• Jeannie Page’s interview with Briohny for Elephant Journal
• Well+Good NYC interview with Michael
• Why The Sexy Equinox Video Pissed Me Off

Check out their downward dogs!

Access all our in-depth yoga and mindfulness interviews on iTunes.

Watch for our upcoming interview Feb 22nd: Yoga for Arthritis and the Power of Movement with Kim McNeil.

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This is Part 1 in a four part series on Om for Kids and Teens. Watch for Part 2: Chanting OM: How to Teach Kids to Chant (Video), Part 3: To Om or Not to Om and Part 4: The Benefits of Om coming soon.

Yoga Chanting for Kids & Teens

Often when I visit a class for the first time a number of kids come in right away, sit cross legged, hands in the air, thumb and index finger joined, and spontaneously chant “om.” Their natural curiosity and receptivity always makes me smile. They are so adorable in their sweet innocence as they connect with this universal sound and mudra (hand position).

Teaching Om

Now for a little guidance.

One of the easiest, and most approachable, ways to teach “om” is to break it down into A-U-M.

Sit cross-legged, place your hands on your knees in gyan mudra (thumb and index finger forming a circle, other fingers elongated). Aum is generally considered to have 3 1/2 measures: A, U, M and silence. Close your eyes, inhale then exhale as you perform Aum, repeating three times. The sounds ahhhh starts in our chest at the heart center, moves upward with the ooooo sound in the throat center, and ends with the sounds mmmmm, which vibrates the higher centers in the head. (~Once Upon a Pose, p. 4)

It’s fun to play around with variations in volume, pitch and timing. As with any yoga practice, approach “om” with curiosity and openness to see what feels right to you.

Three Symbols of Om

If you’d like to go all Hindu with your students you can explore the symbolism behind the sound. According to the Mandukya Upanishad,

Om is the one eternal syllable of which all that exists is but the development. The past, the present, and the future are all included in this one sound, and all that exists beyond the three forms of time is also implied in it.

Each tone of “om” relates to a time of life, a power and a Hindu deity/philosophy.

A = birth, creative power (Brahma)

U = life, sustaining power (Vishnu)

M = death, destructive power (Shiva)

silence = bliss, pure consciousness (Turiya)

How do you teach “om” to kids and teens?

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