Yoga and Mindfulness for Children and Adolescents. Activities for Trauma and Self Regulation.

Upanishads “Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” ~Upanishads

Let Us Experience Yoga Teach Life skills and Yoga Values Learn to Witness the Mind Somatic Bonding, Trauma Sensitivity Connect Mind, Body and Sensory Diet Eliminate the School to Prison Pipeline Teach Youth the new ABC’s Change how we “do” stress Embodied Communication- the heart speaks

Mindfulness- Non Striving

Mindfulness: a Mirror of the Present Being a witness to an event or your emotions, while remaining fully present emotionally The Mindful Child, Susan Kaiser Greenland

Yoga Routine Mats Out Breathe Deep Assume Postures Relax and Tense Sing 6

What Happens When You Practice “you see life experience, as it happens, without an emotional charge. We learn how to do this by feeling our present moment experience without analyzing it, for the time being.”

Witnessing and Mindfulness

The flagpole

Holding onto the Breath as Anchor

Legs on the wall with counting breath

Counting the Breath Sit or Lie comfortably Breathe normally Count 4 beats long to the inhale and exhale Increase to 5,6

The Cradle = Dhyana - Calming

Mountain Climb = Ganesh - Energizing

Simple Arm Flow and Ha Breath Begin Seated Inhale Bend forward Exhale come up Inhale, arms along ears Make fists Press feet into floor Exhale pull arms down Press elbows into sides Say Ha on the exhale Add Variations: Bend to sides Raise arm, bend to right Repeat on left

Standing Pose

Downward Facing Dog

Upward Dog

Triangle Pose

Build core tone

Upper body

Backbends in the classroom

Partnering Yoga

The Raft

Create quiet and safe place Sit or lie down Instructor grounds self and room through breathing Can use music Use breathing such as Equal Breath Use Steps, Nature Imagery, Somatic Cues Can invoke image of “Loved One” meeting a friend Expect students to deeply relax or fall asleep Give minimum 5 minutes for transition Elements of Effective Guided Imagery

Basic Restorative

Supports

Sitting Restorative

Restorative

Do Nothing Doll Pose

Embody Guided Imagery Sit bones to Heels Back Body Spinal Curves Front of the spine Breathe into the organs Tail to Head Pelvic Halves Chakra’s: Energy centers

Grounding Column

Imagine a column of light that goes down from your head, down your spine from your tail bone, to your feet and down into the earth. The column goes deeply into the center of the earth You are rooted by this column which is solid and unwavering You can send any thoughts you don’t want down the column You can receive healing rich energy of groundedness from the center of the earth No thoughts that you let go of are bad or good, and there is no need to judge them.

Nature Imagery

Staying Present

Giving Moments of Relief

NEW BOOK !!! Mindfulness and Yoga for Children and Adolescents: 115 Activities for Trauma, Self Regulation, Special Needs and Anxiety Pesi.com

Spread the Word Contact Barbara to schedule – Holistic Coaching personal and business – Fundraiser for your agency or group – Online Webinars – Trainings for schools, mental health professionals, providers – Parent training and conference calls – First Responders/Police and Youth trainings