Let's Play Yoga: 3 Ideas for Kids Yoga

My sister informed me that my niece graduated kindergarten with a list of activities to enjoy this summer one of which is "A Day at Lynny's." Whether you have children yourself or entertain your friends and family's kiddies or need a gift for a kid, these three ideas have been kid tested and made my home a coveted summer destination for the 9, 6 and 4 year olds in my life.

1. Yoga Pretzels Yoga Cards $13.49 - This deck of 50 cards includes a variety of poses, games, breathing, and my nieces' favorites partner pose ideas. The colorful cards include simple instructions that will help any adult play along whether they know yoga or not. With kid friendly names, this card deck inspires the imagination as well as physical activity. 
2. My Daddy is a Pretzel $8.99 - This book is nice to read with colorful illustrations and fun to mimic the pose on every page. 
3. Dance for the Sun: Yoga Songs for Kids by Kira Willey - This CD inspires dance and yoga play. 

The children in your life benefit from your yoga practice and not just because you're more patient. ;) As they hear and see you taking care of yourself, they learn about healthy living. In fact, this week a student asked me about sharing yoga with her child, because her 4-year-old knew she was going to yoga class and wanted to do yoga too.

Having taught kids ages 3 to 93, I have yet to see yoga's limits and have come to believe age is only a number. Play is much the same... May we be inspired to play no matter our age.

Always a Yogi,

Lynn Marie

You might like...

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67 Way to Be Healthier in a Minute Or Less

Natural Resources

Hankettes Essential Oil Blends - Great essential oil blends. Put a drop or two on the edge of your shower and the steam will turn your morning ritual into an aromatherapy haven.

Priti NYC - Non-Toxic Nail Polish

Health Benefits

The Benefits of Meditation

Five Surprising Ways Yoga Affects Your Health

Playing 5-7-5

I recently came across a giveaway contest that asked for yoga haikus to win.  Thought you would enjoy the four I came up with.

deep breath open heart

within sweet serenity

on and off the mat

goddess warrior child 

strength and softness in balance 

full breath surrender 

mindfully living

here in the present moment

life's joyous embrace

 

arms extend reaching

for the stars, feet on the earth

much more than a pose

I enjoyed playing with the 5-7-5 syllable poem and think you will to.  Give it a try and add your ideas in the comments below.

My Thoughts On... Yoga Mats Our Magic Carpet

Ah the mat... it's like a magic carpet.  It's where our yoga journey begins.  We are given the opportunity to explore our potential both physically and mentally.  It is no wonder we treat our mats and those of our neighbors with respect.  It is very rare for someone to step on another's mat.  This mat etiquette is a nod to the honor we bestow on the practice on our magic carpet.

With this in mind, I share with you my thoughts on yoga mats.  Yoga mats come in various thicknesses.  A mat too thick may lead to balance challenges.  A mat too thin will not provide a supportive cushion for positions on your back or knees.  I find that Goldilocks... I mean most yoga practitioners, including myself, enjoy a 5mm thick mat.

I recommend you invest in a mat made from TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).  Due to its non-porous nature it resists moisture and prevents bacterial and fungal growth. This material is PVC/latex-free, takes less energy to manufacture than standard yoga mats, and will biodegrade in a landfill.  In this link you'll find products I recommend including yoga mats.

Please be aware that the inexpensive mats you find at any local store are typically made of PVC. The main ingredient in PVC is vinyl chloride, which is a known carcinogen. Other eco-friendly and health friendly mats would include those made of jute and rubber. I have found that jute mats are too thin and show wear and tear quickly. Rubber mats emit a smell that never seems to go away despite the claims to the contrary.

Oh and one more thing... this yoga mat for sale ad on Craig's list gives me a giggle every time I read it.

May you enjoy the ride of your magic carpet!

Inspiration for the Journey

Rock out who you really are in your heart...for those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind. -John Friend

I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being. -Hafiz of Persia

Yoga Nidra

Unfortunately, we may fall into a state of productivity and our passion driven activities become to dos. This place where even in the process of exploring our passion, we become complacent or void of satisfaction. This is often a sign that we may need to step back and take a deep breath from everything - including our passion. I encourage you to try Yoga Nidra. It allows us to free ourselves from stress, anxiety and fear. With this practice you will find deep within an inner radiance and deeper awareness independent of anything else.

Affirmations

I express my authentic self.

I fearlessly express my heart's desire.

I choose to give all the events of my life an empowering meaning.

My joy is a great gift I share with others.

Names & Noogies

One of the most endearing words a person will hear is their own name. You name does not carry with it expectations nor does it limit you. Your name is not a definition but an invitation to be authentically you.

I have been called many things most recently sweetie pie and buddy to several variations of my legal name... Lynny, Lynn, Nynny, Lynn Marie and Lynrd Skynrd -this one came with noogies. Many close to me have seen my face light up when I hear my full name - Lynn Marie. As I continue this journey, I invite all of you to use my birth name Lynn Marie.

In an effort to solve a few of my technological challenges, I am using a new email addressLynnMarie.Cunningham@gmail.com. Please add this to your address book so that you may still receive my newsletters and any other communication. You may also find me on Google Talk - LynnMarie.Cunningham and Twitter LynnMarie_C.

As always, I have included many ideas for living and learning within this newsletter. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. I hope to see you at a group class this October or for a private session.

May you be present to the beauty of change that surrounds

Recipes & Articles

Delicious Recipes
Stir-Fried Cabbage with Red Chile Peppers, Peanuts, and Peas - packed full of flavor & easy to make... serve alone or with rice

Two Bean Vegetarian Chili

Interesting Articles
Yin & Yang of Fitness - The Best of Both Worlds - many cutting-edge coaches and trainers are moving away from the "all-intensity, all-the-time" model and toward a more integrated approach that blends the best of two worlds. Call it yin-yang fitness: Integrative exercise programs that combine the mind-body awareness often associated with "Eastern" methods with a more physical go-hard-or-go-home "Western" approach to build whole-person fitness from the inside out.

Addiction to Sugar is No Joke - Sugar stimulates some of the same neurotransmitters as, and in a manner similar to, alcohol, cocaine, and other drugs of abuse.

Extra Sensory Perceptions - Neurologists and others who study perception have long disagreed on the number of senses we possess to help us navigate our way through life.

Natural... Benefits

Natural Resources
Skin Deep Cosmetic Database - provides you with easy-to-navigate safety ratings for a wide range of products and ingredients on the market

Scotch Naturals - Non-Toxic Nail Polish that I LOVE!!


Health Benefits
Yoga Lowers Cholesterol & Body Fat

Meditation Eases Hot Flashes

Yoga Benefits for the Heart
       

Links for You

Yoga Alliance, What Have You Done For Us Lately? - Explains some of the many reasons I choose not to submit my certification registration although I have met all of the requirements.

Your Doctor May Love Yoga

Goldilocks Position - optimal position for health.

Be Good to Your Heart

Office Stretches - great poses you can do at the office or anywhere

54 Health Conditions Benefited by Yoga w/ Scientific References

Be You - great reminder and tips on how to be our best selves

Reverse Your Heart Disease in 28 Days - Dr. Oz shares lifestyle tips that help those with or preventing heart dises... included is yoga to stop the heart from spasming and make the arteries more elastic

Holistic Healing & Yoga

The Language of Healing - Excellent article by Dr. Timothy McCall, M.D. about holistic healing

On Solid Ground - restorative yoga information & ideas

The Book Book of Yoga - interesting display of yoga history

Gratitude

Gratitude for the Body Meditation

Enjoy Thanksgiving Whenever You Want It - Simple ideas on how to celebrate Thanksgiving no matter the day.

Give Thanks - This article shares how cultivating gratitude can boost well-weing, and may help you sleep better.

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.

-Elizabeth Kubler-Ross


5 Ways to Make Time for Yoga

Yoga Journal FAQ

Create Your Home Practice

How To Be Happy Regardless of How Much You Accomplish

The Language of Healing

25 Instant Energy Boosters

Kinesiology or Muscle Testing

Your Home: Toxic?

What You Really Value

Fresh Ideas

Melt Stress with One Yoga Pose a Day

Kitchen Yoga

Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.


5 Surprising Ways Yoga Affects Your Health

Time for Wellness: A Day of Self Healing

Inhale, Exhale, Relax

Yoga Healing

Yoga Health Benefits

Help for Back Pain

Help Heal Yourself with Yoga

Open Heart

It is only with the heart that we can see clearly. For what is essential, is hidden from the eyes.
                                                     -The Little Prince


Heart Healthy Living

Learn to Manage Stress & Decrease Your Risk of Heart Disease

Calm Heart Meditation

Heart Opening Poses