This Breathing aide was created, by Steven Jones for anyone who is feeling under pressure.
Simply inhale as the leaves go up, exhale when they droop. For added benefit, place your hand on your heart as you breathe and think of a happy memory.
Repeat this as many times as you wish to through-out your day.
Based in Glasgow, Little School of Yoga works with children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to promote physical and mental wellbeing.
I AM AN ADDICT.
I’m addicted to exercise and it’s not just Yoga that I enjoy either. I’m a runner, I lift weights and get my sweat on during regular spin classes. Exercise makes me feel great both physically and mentally, however, a week ago today I fell (whilst running in the woods) and tore my knee up, resulting in 8 big stitches.
In A&E, the first thing I asked the Doctor was, “Can I still go to Spin class tomorrow morning?” (I don’t think I need to share the answer to that).
The thought of no exercise honestly filled me with dread. I thought I would be a monster to live with and to be around. Instead I’m taking some time out, with my leg elevated and, when my knee aches, a focus on gratitude for being able to feel sensations in my leg. This space allowed me the opportunity to breathe, be present and for the ‘real’ Yoga to kick in. It’s easy to imagine Yoga to be an advanced pose, which looks amazing. However, to me, advanced yoga is the internal work.
The ‘Bhagavad Gita’ (this could be considered the most treasured text of the Indian system) is set on a battlefield, during the beginning of a war, between two opposing armies. Yoga happens on the battlefield of life. In chapter 2, verse 47 it is explained; you never know what life is going to throw at you BUT you can choose how you meet it.
Yoga recognises that everything is training; even the little things. It can be defined as being the same in easy times and not so easy times. In other words, Yoga is even-ness and skillfulness in the things we do. Advanced Yoga is when you can stand steady, come what may. When you can experience the ups and downs of life and not be overwhelmed; then you are in Yoga.
Depression, anxiety, trauma, anger, sadness are real. The question is how to meet them when they come.
Breathing, meditation and movement practices can have such a profound effect on mental and physical health. It’s so important to give yourself some time out. I’m on the healing path now and I’m feeling better already.
Imagine if all children were given these tools to help them navigate the inevitable ups and downs that life delivers. How to stay steady when your football team loses, when overwhelmed or stuck in class, in the playground, managing challenges with friends or dealing with transitions and anxiety.
Based in Glasgow, Little School of Yoga works with children and adults of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to promote physical and mental wellbeing.
The body scan is one of the most effective ways to begin a mindfulness meditation practice. Body scanning involves paying attention to parts of your body and noticing any sensations you are feeling, without judgement. Here you are guided through a gradual sequence, from head to feet.
With time and practice the body scan meditation can help to train the mind to be more open, more aware of sensory experiences and will build your ability to focus and be fully present in your life.
The body scan can also promote, body awareness, stress awareness and relaxation.
Based in Glasgow, Little School of Yoga works with children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to promote physical and mental wellbeing.
Following the sell out of our 5th Movement Based Learning Training last year, Vicky and I are gearing up for our first Movement Based Learning course of the year: The Building Block Activities. This one day training will be held on the 1st of March 2020, at The New Life Gym, in Maryhill, Glasgow. This is a certified training with 2 experienced, licensed training providers, both of whom trained with founder of the program Ceceila Koester. Cost is £95, which incldes a manual and certificate.
The training is ideal for parents or carers (suitable for all ages and abilities) and is particularly beneficial to those who struggle with processing sensory information and with emotional regulation.
This course is also suitable for school teachers and other professionals working with those who have additional challenges to learning. We have previously welcomed Yoga teachers, Speech & Language Therapists, Play Therapists, Social workers, Occupational Therapists, as well as School Teachers and Head Teachers on the course.
Contact us for further information.
Based in Glasgow, Little School of Yoga works with children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to promote physical and mental wellbeing.
Following the sell out of our 4th Movement Based Learning Training date at The Wee Retreat in Glasgow, Vicky and I are returning on the 20th of October for another 1 day training. Cost is £95 and we are limited to 10 places. This is a certified training with 2 experienced, licensed training providers, both of whom trained with founder of the program Ceceila Koester.
The training is ideal for parents or carers (suitable for all ages and abilities) and is particularly beneficial to those who struggle with processing sensory information and with emotional regulation.
This
course is also suitable for professionals working with those who have
additional challenges to learning and we have previously welcomed Yoga
teachers, Speech & Language Therapists, Play Therapists, Social
workers, Occupational Therapists and Teachers on the course.
Contact us for further information.
Based in Glasgow, Little School of Yoga works with children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to promote physical and mental wellbeing.
Isn’t it great when learning becomes a game? The Lazy 8 is one of 26 Brain Gym exercises® and it’s a brilliant activity for building your child’s visual-motor skills, helping them cross the midline for reading and writing.
What’s the ‘midline’? Think of the eyes crossing from one side of the body to the other; at some point they need to cross the midline of the body (at the bridge of the nose) to get to the other side. When that happens effortlessly, we can read with ease. When the hemispheres of the brain are not well integrated (I think of this as as the right and left side of the brain talking to each other), the eyes can skip at the midline and this causes complications with reading. This can result in trouble keeping your place, poor comprehension skills, symptoms of dyslexia.
In order to roll the marbles around the track on the Lazy 8 board, children need to move their hands and eyes (up, down, left and right) plus cross the midline with their eyes. This activates both hemispheres of the brain, develops visual and motor co-ordination, visual tracking, concentration and relaxed learning. It can also be beneficial for those with dyslexia, dyspraxia and dysgraphia.
Based in Glasgow, Little School of Yoga works with children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to promote physical and mental wellbeing.