#resolutions #yogasg #yogalove#yogabythebeach #yogaoutside#breatheandsmile #so.yoga
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Monday, January 8, 2018
9 Easy Ways to Boost Your Child’s Health
Starting the new year on the right path for our mini yogis!
Let them Eat
Source: https://wellnessmama.com/4800/boost-your-childs-health/
Also www.soyoga.com.sg
As parents we know how tough it is when little ones are suffering from illness or discomfort (or when they don’t sleep well!).
Fortunately, there are some (rather unexpected) things you can do to boost your child’s health (and they are easy to do!).
Throw Some Salt in the Tub
Due to depleted soil and water levels, many people (including children) are magnesium deficient. If your kids are eating a healthy diet, you probably don’t need to supplement Magnesium, handful of Epsom Salts and a tablespoon or two of Sea Salt to their bath is a great way to gently boost their magnesium levels, and it will also help them relax and wind down before bedtime (so they sleep better!).
Especially for kids with allergies, eczema or asthma, this small step can often make a big difference. The natural Sea Salt or Himalayan salt contains a lot of trace minerals and is soothing and naturally cleansing to the skin.
Ditch the Nightlight
To paraphrase Robb Wolf… “Your kids will be peeved when they find out you are trying to give them cancer.”
In short, exposure to artificial lights has been linked to cancer and a host of other problems. Artificial light completely halts normal melatonin production and interrupts the sleep cycle. The time during sleep is vital for tissue repair and cell growth, and interrupting the delicate hormone cycle during sleep has lasting effects.
In fact, one night of lost sleep or interrupted sleep has been shown to give a healthy person the insulin levels of a pre-diabetic. Loss of sleep or bad sleep also interferes with the pituitary gland’s proper function and the leptin cycle, both which can have tremendous consequences on a growing child.
While lack of sleep or artificial light during sleep isn’t single-handedly causing the rise of childhood illnesses and obesity, it certainly isn’t helping either!
At our house, I’ve removed the night lights and all other devices that have blue, green or red light at night (digital clocks, etc.) and just put motion activated regular light bulbs in the bathroom and hallway. Our room has blackout curtains because a light outside our window is constantly being motion activated by our animals, but I’ve just left natural curtains on their windows to let in the natural light of the moon and the sun as it comes up. We also have a rule of no TV or computer for them after dinner time so their natural hormone cycles can start kicking in.
I’ve personally noticed that the children sleep much better this way and are up much less to get water or use the bathroom.
Let Them Play Barefoot… in the Mud
In an age where we have the means to keep our kids clean and their feet protected by “safe” rubber soles, it’s hard to think that perhaps these methods might not always be in the best interests of our kids.
As counter-intuitive as it might sound to us as parents (and as completely intuitive as it will sound to most kids) there are naturally occurring compounds in dirt that boost Serotonin levels, which will also contribute to healthy sleep (see above). On top of that, by interacting with dirt, kids are naturally exposed to a host of natural bacteria and pathogens that actually help strengthen the immune system. There is even some evidence that regular play time in the dirt helps keep kids from developing allergies and asthma.
Additionally, exposure to dirt can help babies’ natural iron and zinc production, even before they start solid foods.
On a separate note, some recently emerging information has shown that barefoot contact with the dirt, grass, or sand can help reduce the overly positive charge that our bodies electrons can get from being indoors and exposed to EMF and other forms of electricity all day. The earth’s negatively charged electrons can help balance this out and (surprise) also improve sleep!
Have Fun in the Sun
We often shelter our kids from the sun and slather them with sunscreen to their own detriment.
Kids especially have a need for enough Vitamin D, which is important for their immune function, proper hormone development and bone and muscle growth. Even a low SPF sunscreen blocks the body’s natural ability to produce Vitamin D and often exposes kids to a host of chemicals.
As long as your kids are eating a healthy diet that won’t pre-dispose them to inflammation and burning, healthy sun exposure is important! For the times you’ll be out longer than their sun tolerance allows, just cover them up with a hat and layers.
Let them Eat Cake Fat
Conventional wisdom says that we should limit our intake (and our children’s intake) of saturated fats and instead give them “healthy” fats like vegetable oil. As children as young as nine are getting heart disease, this seems direly important, except that the research doesn’t support it (and those kids probably aren’t sleeping in darkness, eating real food, and playing in the dirt…). Sadly, limiting saturated fats, especially in kids, is likely to do much more harm than good, as there isn’t even a proven link between these fats and heart disease and kids need them for proper growth!
Personally, I don’t let my kids consume any franken-fats like vegetable oils, margarine, etc. (or eat them myself!) because they are chemically created, oxidize quickly, and have no place in the human body! At the same time, I give them as much (healthy) saturated fat as they like (and eat it myself) in the forms of raw organic butter, coconut oil, grass-fed meat, etc.
While it is important to get saturated fats from healthy sources, these fats are not the enemy, and we need them for proper body function. They also are great at keeping kids satisfied after meals, improving hormone levels and for supporting brain and bone health.
Here is one of my kids’ favorite recipes and they are loaded with healthy fats: Chocolate Coconut Clusters. You can also just let them snack on wild-caught salmon, grass-fed beef, and hard boiled eggs to boost healthy fat levels.
Make Some Real Soup
Another highly beneficial food that has almost completely disappeared in modern diets is quality homemade soup with real broth and stock.
There’s a reason that chicken soup is the common food during illness… our mothers and grandmothers knew something that many of us have forgotten. Broth contains tons of minerals in easy to assimilate form, and are wonderful for immune health, skin, bone and muscle growth! Real broth (i.e. not the stuff in the BPA lined can or carton) is also very simple and inexpensive to make and there tons of different variations!
Broth can be consumed on its own as a liquid (especially wonderful during illness) or as the base for soups, stews, casseroles or other foods. Broth also contains high amounts of gelatin, which is great for muscle growth, skin health and brain development, and which is one of the supplements/foods I take every day. Gelatin is a precursor for collagen production and is especially helpful for those with skin issues or thinning hair. It balances out the high amounts of muscle meats that most of us consume and gives the immune system a boost.
Most kids naturally like homemade soups and stews, and when cooked soft enough, these are also great first foods for baby, especially since babies are naturally born with a leaky gut,which allows some particles and antibodies to transfer through the gut lining and help develop their immune systems. The gelatin in homemade broth helps naturally close the gut and prevent food sensitivities.
Balance Their Gut Bacteria
Babies are born with a sterile gut and (hopefully) pick up some beneficial gut bacteria from mom during the birthing process which allows them to begin culturing the billions of gut bacteria that make up the micro-system of their intestines.
Unfortunately, being born via c-section (or vaginally to a mom with less than ideal gut bacteria), taking antibiotics during childhood, or a poor diet during the early years can put little ones at a disadvantage when it comes to good bugs in their bellies.
Even though (all but one of) my kids were born naturally and I took steps to make sure my gut bacteria was optimal, quality probiotics are one of the supplements that my kids get every day. As healthy gut bacteria has been linked to stronger immune function, better digestion, and fewer allergies, it is one thing I’m not willing to skimp on.
My kids also consume lots of probiotic lemonade, water kefir “soda”, and fermented foods to help naturally boost gut bacteria (no constipation around here… TMI?).
I’ve also seen probiotics greatly improve eczema and allergies in several children.
Stop Pouring Chemicals On Them
There’s been a lot of press lately about cancer causing chemicals found in baby products, but this problem isn’t limited to baby lotion!
Many products that we use on our kids from sunscreen to bug spray to shampoo, to bubble bath, to toothpaste have harmful chemicals that can be easily avoided by using natural options.
Get a Move On It
Kids have a natural tendency to move and get the right kind of exercise, and sometimes we ruin this natural drive by putting them in organized sports too early (my opinion anyway).
Most kids naturally love to sprint, do pull-ups (monkey-bars), climb things, and lift heavy things. They don’t necessarily need sports or exercise regimens to do the types of movement that naturally develops their muscles. Give them access to trees, monkey bars, ropes to climb, and heavy things to play with, and they will develop great muscle tone!
Personally, our backyard is “cluttered” with a treehouse with climbing wall, trampoline, mud pit, jungle gym, climbing ladder and rope, big containers that can be filled with dirt or sand for moving, and a huge sandbox.
So, I realize that I suggested that you let your kids get dirty while barefoot… in the sun… and feed them lots of fat… and even take away their comforting night light. Many of these things might be counter intuitive or counter cultural, but I’m confident they’ll contribute to good health for your little ones.
Also www.soyoga.com.sg
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Friday, January 5, 2018
Thursday, December 21, 2017
The 10 things that make a family Happy
This article focuses on ten things that produce happy families based on research.
We instinctively grasp the importance of making incremental progress in many areas of our life. We set goals and make an effort. We do what we need to do. Some of us, however, don’t emphasize enough the importance of working towards a happier family.
If we work together as a family, we can develop and improve the happiness and cohesion of the household. But, as with all things worthwhile, it requires effort and dedication.
2) CREATE A MISSION STATEMENT
Set aside some time and talk about what it truly means to be a family. What are your values? Successful philanthropic organizations have detailed well-crafted mission statements. Same goes for successful companies and other entities. Mission statements serve as the foundation for every decision. Loving families can do the same.
So start the conversation. Identify what your central values are as a family. Identify the type of family you want to be.
Scientists at the University of California discovered that parents who empowered their children to plan their own time, set weekly goals, and evaluate their progress develop the areas of the brain responsible for executive skills.
Executive skills help children avoid distractions, exert self-discipline, and evaluate the consequences of their choices.
4) SHARE YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
Researchers at Emory University discovered that the more knowledge a child possessed about their family history, the higher their degree of self-confidence.
Perhaps the most surprising finding is that knowledge of family history is the number one predictor of a child’s emotional well-being. Teach your kids to remember where they came from – it’s a valuable lesson.
5) PRACTICE EFFECTIVE MEDIATION
Bruce Ury is the co-author of the classic book Getting to Yes, the best-selling book on negotiation in the world. Ury found that implementing a three-step process can help parents and their children successfully and affectionately resolve disputes.
– Separate everybody, including yourself.
– Placing them in a visible area (e.g., the family table); involve the children by asking them to come up with three alternatives to the conflict.
– Bring everyone back into a room and discuss the situation. Ask your kids which one of the three solutions they like best.
“Don’t be a dictator unless you have to be,” Ury adds.
6) BE PART OF A COMMUNITY
Research has shown that having a community of ten supportive friends make families happier.
Professors Chaeyoon Lin and Robert Putnam found that families who are involved in a religious community, in particular, score higher on overall measures of happiness and well-being.
Lin and Putnam note that religious preference didn’t matter in their 3,000 person study. What did matter is the number of friends in the religious community – and they found that 10 is the sweet spot.
7) LIMIT STRESS
Ellen Galinsky, President and Co-Founder of the Families and Work Institute (FWI), distributed a survey to over a thousand families.
In the survey, children were asked a simple question:
“If you were granted one wish about your parents, what would it be?”
The most common response was that the parents were less tired and less stressed.Here’s the thing: our emotions needn’t dictate our behaviors. Let’s show our children more positivity and less stress!
8) EAT DINNER TOGETHER
A 16-year study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan found that the number of time children spent eating meals at home was the top predictor of improved academic achievement and fewer behavior-related problems.
The study discovered that eating together as a family was more important than:
– time spent in school
– time spent studying
– playing sports
– attending religious services
Grandparents are some of the best teachers. Among other things, grandparents teach kids social skills, compassion, and how to be considerate.
An interview-based study of over 400 adolescents at Brigham Young University found that a positive correlation between the amount of time a child spends with their grandparents – and social ability, school involvement, and acts of kindness.
Bruce Ury shares what his family does: “We basically ask three questions. What worked well this week, what didn’t work well this week, and what will we agree to work on in the week ahead?
And if the kids meet the goal, they get to help pick a reward. And if they don’t, they get to help pick a punishment. They don’t do it without us, but we all do it in consultation.”
Also www.soyoga.com.sg
Saturday, December 16, 2017
What are the benefits of teaching yoga for kids.
I encountered myself that teaching kids is a whole different experience than teaching adults. Why that? Read the article below!
"Our children live in a hurry-up world of busy parents, school pressures, incessant lessons, video games, malls, and competitive sports. We usually don't think of these influences as stressful for our kids, but often they are. The bustling pace of our children's lives can have a profound effect on their innate joy—and usually not for the better.
I have found that yoga can help counter these pressures. When children learn techniques for self-health, relaxation, and inner fulfillment, they can navigate life's challenges with a little more ease. Yoga at an early age encourages self-esteem and body awareness with a physical activity that's noncompetitive. Fostering cooperation and compassion—instead of opposition—is a great gift to give our children.
Children derive enormous benefits from yoga. Physically, it enhances their flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness. In addition, their concentration and sense of calmness and relaxation improves. Doing yoga, children exercise, play, connect more deeply with the inner self, and develop an intimate relationship with the natural world that surrounds them. Yoga brings that marvelous inner light that all children have to the surface.
When yogis developed the asanas many thousands of years ago, they still lived close to the natural world and used animals and plants for inspiration—the sting of a scorpion, the grace of a swan, the grounded stature of a tree. When children imitate the movements and sounds of nature, they have a chance to get inside another being and imagine taking on its qualities. When they assume the pose of the lion (Simhasana) for example, they experience not only the power and behavior of the lion, but also their own sense of power: when to be aggressive, when to retreat. The physical movements introduce kids to yoga's true meaning: union, expression, and honor for oneself and one's part in the delicate web of life.
Learn to Teach How Children Learn
Yoga with children offers many possibilities to exchange wisdom, share good times, and lay the foundation for a lifelong practice that will continue to deepen. All that's needed is a little flexibility on the adult's part because, as I quickly found out when I first started teaching the practice to preschoolers, yoga for children is quite different than yoga for adults.
Six years ago, I had my first experience teaching yoga to kids at a local Montessori school. I looked forward to the opportunity with confidence—after all, I'd been teaching yoga to adults for quite a while, had two young children of my own, and had taught creative writing for several years in various Los Angeles schools. But after two classes with a group of 3 to 6-year-olds, I had to seriously reevaluate my approach. I needed to learn to let go (the very practice I had been preaching for years) of my agenda and my expectations of what yoga is and is not.
When I began to honor the children's innate intelligence and tune in to how they were instructing me to instruct them, we began to co-create our classes. We used the yoga asanas as a springboard for exploration of many other areas—animal adaptations and behavior, music and playing instruments, storytelling, drawing—and our time together became a truly interdisciplinary approach to learning. Together we wove stories with our bodies and minds in a flow that could only happen in child's play.
The kids began to call me Mrs. Yoga, and I called them Yoga Kids. We continued to work and play together until our creations bloomed into a program called YogaKids. The program combines yogic techniques designed especially for children using Dr. Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. Gardner, an author and professor of education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, describes eight intelligences innate in all of us—linguistic, logical, visual, musical, kinesthetic, naturalistic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal—and emphasizes that children should be given the opportunity to develop and embody as many of these as possible.
In keeping with this theory, YogaKids integrates storytelling, games, music, language, and other arts into a complete curriculum that engages the "whole child." We employ ecology, anatomy, nutrition, and life lessons that echo yogic principles of interdependence, oneness, and fun. Most of all, our program engages the entire mind, body, and spirit in a way that honors all the ways children learn.
How You Can Benefit from Teaching Yoga for Kids
If you're planning to teach yoga to kids, there are a few general things to know that will enhance your experience. The greatest challenge with children is to hold their attention long enough to teach them the benefits of yoga: stillness, balance, flexibility, focus, peace, grace, connection, health, and well-being. Luckily, most children love to talk, and they love to move—both of which can happen in yoga. Children will jump at the chance to assume the role of animals, trees, flowers, warriors. Your role is to step back and allow them to bark in the Dog Pose, hiss in the cobra, and meow in cat stretch. They can also recite the ABCs or 123s as they are holding poses. Sound is a great release for children and adds an auditory dimension to the physical experience of yoga.
Children need to discover the world on their own. Telling them to think harder, do it better, or be a certain way because it's good for them is not the optimal way. Instead, provide a loving, responsive, creative environment for them to uncover their own truths. As they perform the various animal and nature asanas, engage their minds to deepen their awareness. When they're snakes (Bhujangasana), invite them to really imagine that they're just a long spine with no arms and legs. Could you still run or climb a tree? In Tree Pose (Vrksasana), ask them to imagine being a giant oak, with roots growing out of the bottoms of their feet. Could you stay in the same position for 100 years? If you were to be chopped down, would that be OK? Would it hurt?
When they stretch like a dog, balance like a flamingo, breathe like a bunny, or stand strong and tall like a tree, they are making a connection between the macrocosm of their environment and the microcosm of their bodies. The importance of reverence for all life and the principle of interdependence becomes apparent. Children begin to understand that we are all made of the same "stuff." We're just in different forms.
Think of yourself as a facilitator rather than a teacher. Guide your children while simultaneously opening your heart and letting them guide you. They'll no doubt invite you into a boundless world of wonder and exploration. If you choose to join them, the teaching/learning process will be continually reciprocal and provide an opportunity for everyone to create, express themselves, and grow together."
Also www.soyoga.com.sg
Thursday, December 7, 2017
How was your day today questions!
ed up with the same question everyday “how was your day today?”... 22 other ways to connect with your child on a daily basis!
#howwasyourday #littletalks #edutopia#huffingtonpost #breatheandsmile#soyoga
www.soyoga.com.sg
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