Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Helping Kids through Yoga



It's no surprise that yoga has benefits beyond the physical alone and that if you are a yoga enthusiast, you are likely to be in great physical and mental health.  When it comes to health and fitness for your kiddos, we focus on a sport and outdoor play rather than think of exercising at the gym or following a workout routine.  But another form of exercise that offers them various advantages is yoga, a fact that is not as well known as it should be.  Yoga helps children by:


Enhancing concentration:  When your child gets used to the asanas or postures of yoga, they automatically improve their concentration skills.  Ancient sages used yoga as a form of meditation, and their powers of concentration are legendary.  Your child learns how to sit still in one place and focus on what is important as opposed to letting their mind wander and be distracted easily.  This helps them in their lessons and at school, boosts their attention span and improves their grades.



Increasing flexibility and balance:  Yoga helps improve flexibility and balance as well as tones muscles.  It makes them stronger and less likely to suffer sprains and fractures through accidental falls.



Improving general well-being:  Kids who practice yoga regularly feel good about themselves and are healthier and happier than those who do not.  They feel both mentally and physically rejuvenated after a yoga session and this improves their mental and physical health.

 



Boosting confidence:  When your child is able to display great agility and flexibility, it does wonders for their confidence.  Their improved performance at school also helps boost their popularity and their self assurance.  They become more poised and start to believe in their abilities.  This feeling provides them with the adrenaline they need to achieve success in all of their endeavors.



Relaxing their minds:  Even kids are subject to a great deal of stress these days because of their workload at school and the high expectations that their parents have for them.  They are pushed to be achievers at every single point of their lives, and when they fail, they take it to heart and become depressed.  Yoga helps them relax and de-stress when they feel upset or depressed.  It soothes their frayed minds and helps them get back to a normal mental state.  Yoga is a perfect release from them.


Children are more flexible and agile than adults, so the earlier you get your kiddos started on to yoga, the more benefits they gain.


Namaste, www.serenitylifestyleandgifts.com

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Common Yoga Q & A





Q: Which class should I take?
              
A: Yoga is varied and with any luck, it can become a life-long practice.  If you are brand new to it, we recommend a Beginner class.  If you are athletic and have previous yoga experience, something more intermediate will benefit you.  Hot Yoga is a class fit for all levels of experience where the heat is turned up to 95+ degrees.  If you love the heat and are well-hydrated, this is a great class for beginners and intermediate students.  If you have taken yoga for several years, feel free to try Power Yoga, our another advanced class.  There are many paths to many goals.  We hope we can help you along the way.


Q: Do I need my own yoga mat?
              
A: Most studios will allow you to use one of their mats as long as you make a small donation.  I highly recommend considering purchasing your own mat though.  It's great when you can own your own magic carpet. It is also wise to bring your own towel to lay on your mat and wipe up your sweat.  Used mats can harbor millions of germs and bacteria.  Here is a great inexpensive mat     http://serenitylifestyleandgifts.com/item_136/Yogi-Mat-Carry-Strap.htm      
                              


Q: When should I arrive for class?
              
A: As early as you can.  You should leave a 15-minute buffer before class time just in case you get stuck at that light that never seems to change or that traffic jam that appears out of nowhere.  This way you can still make it to class on time.  Some yoga studios lock the door after the class starts so make sure you arrive on time.  Evening classes tend to fill up fast so consider an even longer buffer if your class is after 5pm.



Q: Can I do yoga if I'm pregnant or menstruating?  Can I do yoga if I have an injury?
              
A: The best person to answer these questions is you.  In yoga, you learn to respect others but more importantly YOURSELF.  If you want to try the class and experiment with how you feel, please do so.  Everyone's body is different.  If you feel your injury will not allow you to stay in the room and try most of the poses with modifications, it may be best to take another week off.  There are many different views on pregnancy or menstruation.  The best person to ask is your physician.


Q: Can my child take yoga?
              
A: Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian at all times.  Children under the age of 13 are not permitted to attend Hot or Power Yoga classes. 

Namaste...

Inspire and Grow

 


Do not deny the difficult events of your life.  The fact that you survived is a wonderful story to tell.  And that story, the story of the way you came through a difficult situation, found resources within yourself or outside of yourself, gleaned from that experience what you wanted and what you didn't want going forward - that is a story that will inspire others and help you heal. 




Monday, December 3, 2012

Wishing you a Peaceful Holiday

 
 
 
Plenty of people miss their share of happiness.  Not because they never found it- but because they didn't stop to enjoy it." -William Feather


The holidays are upon us.  Feel the happiness?


It's so easy to get wrapped up in the buying, the travelling, the events, that stress and exhaustion can overpower the joys of the season. Well, this season take a moment (or several) to stop and enjoy!


Where is happiness?  Difficult question to answer.  It is different for everyone.  But, one common thing is that it lies in moments.  From the most mundane to the extraordinary, it is there in each and every one.


You see, there really is no need to search for it.  Just be present and enjoy!  That is the best gift you can give yourself.  Stop and enjoy!  Enjoy each and every moment for what it is.  For, that is where happiness lies.  See it, feel it, live it and share it!
 
 


Happy Holidays & Namaste.