Yoga

 

 

 

From Collages

These are the kids’ favorite poses

 

We Are Peaceful                         From Collages

 

 A peaceful moment for 6 wiggly kids

 

This has been a great year of yoga for this group of preschoolers.  The group changes over the school year.  Some kids come in to give it a try and it’s not a fit at that moment, some come and go and come back again, other stay.  This group has pretty much been together for two years and it’s been fun to see them growing.  These kids really enjoy yoga and there are moments in our fun and sometimes crazy class that they are peaceful.  I managed to capture  a peaceful moment in the photos. 

 

 

 

From Collages

 

I’ve been having a blast teaching kids’ yoga here in Santa Rosa.  Right now I have my preschool group at Beth Ami preschool and a group of elementary school aged kids at Spring Creek school.  My teaching has evolved.  As always my emphasis with kids is to have fun and sneak in  some “serious” relaxation techniques and real yoga poses of course.  With kids this age it’s easy for things to get out of control.  I’ve found that switching it up with some outside time on these warm autumn days and alternating using our yoga mats and having freedom from the mat keeps things fresh.  I also bring different props such as little stuffed animals, pinwheels to use during deep breathing exercises,  my parachute is a big hit too and today I placed a smooth glass stone on each child’s forhead during final relaxation……. ahhhh relaxation

 This week I taught my first teacher/staff class for Rincon Valley Union School District staff.  I call the teachers’ class, Yoga R&R ( Rest and Restore).  My idea is to provide  a quiet, peaceful place at the end of the school day for the teachers.  Everyone comes in, lies down, put their feet up on a chair and their heads on a blanket then breaths.  I reminded the group to take a deep breath and heard one of the teachers say it was the first time she took a breath all day.  While we start out slowly and warm up, I will gradually add more and more challenging poses as the group gains strength and flexibility.  The group includes teachers who are new to yoga and some that have a daily personal practice.  After class everyone left quietly rested and invigorated at the same time.  I felt the same way; peaceful and happy.  I’d love to offer more teacher / adult classes. 

 

We had fun with parent/child yoga at camp.  Everybody got in the act with tree pose, plough, cobra and a nice relaxing balloon breath.

 

I really had a blast teaching tyoga to the kindergarten through 3rd graders through the Rincon Valley School District afterschool program.  Here are some photos from our last day.  I’m sorry not everyone was there so I could have their pictures.  I hope to offer yoga to the 4th-6th graders next fall and maybe even have an afterschool class for teachers…..we’ll see

 

(photo slideshow removed)

Today I had my first adult yoga class on the deck at Smiling Tree Farm.  How exciting!!  I’ve been worrying about it being too hot and providing shade.  As it turns out it was overcast and a little chilly; not the best for outdoor yoga.  I made a pot of hot tea and greeted my chilly yogis with a cup to warm things up before we started.  My intent is to provide a class for people brand new to yoga.  In today’s class we had a thirty something mom with obvious yoga experience, an 87 year old woman with lots of spunk and a “killer down dog” (this was her first ever yoga class).  There was a woman who has had knee surgery and one with pretty serious carpal tunnel .  This was a great test for me.  I provided adjustments and props to make the poses as comfortable as possible.  Practicing yoga out doors is magical.  Lying back and looking up into the oak tree while doing Supta Padangusthasana is spectacular!

This is just a follow-up to the April Newsletter…………

Rattle Snakes…..yes

 

Yes, we live in rattle snake “country”.  I received an email from a mom who has enjoyed the sculpture garden at Paradise Ridge Winery and wanted to report that she saw a rattle snake there.  It wasn’t this spring but you can be sure that there are snakes all around Santa Rosa.  My feeling is there are snakes and mosquitoes and ticks and poison oak and all the lovely little critters surrounding us in nature. I don’t believe this is  a reason to avoid the great outdoors. 

 

 

To get more info on rattle snakes and reinforce my idea that we should be out in nature I called the Spring Lake Environmental Discovery Center and spoke with Kristina Stanton.  Kristina who happens to be a mother of a 2year old agrees that we should be out in nature enjoying it safely with our children.  She shared some basic guidelines for staying safe outdoors and general information about being in nature.

 

·         Stay on the trail….most county parks have maintained trails.  By staying on trails you can see where you’re walking and what’s ahead

·         Avoid tall grass….that’s where ticks hang out….again, stay on the trail!

·         Lyme’s disease is rare in Sonoma county

·         Hike in the morning….avoid the heat of the day;  that’s when snakes come out

·         Don’t climb on or turn over large rocks…..that’s where rattle snakes hide

·         Baby Rattle snakes are more dangerous than adults. 

·         If you see a snake on the trail stop, back away, don’t threaten the snake and pass only if safe

·         King Snakes (black and white stripes) are quite docile and safe

 

The Environmental Discovery Center is near the east entry to Spring Lake on Violleta Drive and is opened Wednesday through Sunday 12noon to 5pm.  From the center it’s a short walk to the look- out deck which overlooks Spring Lake and Santa Rosa.  I must be honest, it’s been years since I’ve been to the center but my kids loved to go to the look-out deck and play in the amphitheater behind the center when they were little.

 

The cost to enter Spring Lake Park is $7. Per car

 

A few more things:

 

Smiling Tree Farm Camp…  Next Wednesday will be the start of a new 3week session.  In my excitement to send the last newsletter I left out some important information.   Age range for camp:  2-6years .  I’ve had younger and older kids but the range is usually 2-4 with the occasional older sibling….there’s something for everyone. (sibling discount)   Babies are always welcome at no charge.  The time for camp is 10am-12noon. 

 

There’s still room in the Wednesday group.  I have Thursday available for private groups if you’d like to set up a one- time class (minimum 4 kids). 

 

Check the website for details and summer schedule

 

Yoga-Art-Cooking

I’m planning a special mini- camp for 6-10year olds.  This camp will be Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 1:30-3:30 or 4pm, June and July.  Still working out the details but it will be approximately an hour of yoga with art and a cooking project.  Let me know if you’re interested.  I’ll set the date soon.

 

Free Yoga…Alfresco (Outdoors!)

The Friday morning yoga class I mentioned in my last newsletter is for adults.

  Please contact me if you’d like to come…FREE….really!

 

 

Thanks, now get outside and play!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve been having a great time at FUN School.  We made bagel peanut butter bird feeders and yummy oatmeal apple cookies.  Every week we take a little hike to the “listening tree” and have been crowing to the neighbor rooster.  The listening tree is just a stones throw but seems miles away to the kids especially if they leave their mom or dad back at the house.  When we get to the tree we stop and listen…..we hear birds and the wind and airplanes and cars.  Some mornings we do yoga and sing songs and play in the rice hulls outside.  The weather continues to be good with not enough rain.  We even play tag on the front lawn with our colorful scarves.

 

 

From Drop Box

 

We (I) had so much fun at yoga class at Beth Ami Nursery School.  It’s been a little over a year since I’ve taught there and I had forgotten how much fun and how tiring working with preschoolers can be.  The kids were so bright and anxious to move their bodies and willing to do funny breathing and silly balancing.  During class I talk a lot about healthy choices, balance, movement, calmness and relaxation.  By the end of our class the kids were ready to lie down and relax…..so sweet!

 There were several parents who are interested in a weekly yoga class for their kids at Beth Ami.  I’ve also had parents from Maddie Washburn in Windsor and Proctor Terrace School in Santa Rosa ask about yoga at their schools.  My after school class at Spring Creek Elementary School in Santa Rosa is open for registration right now, the class will start in early February.  I would love to teach yoga everyday!  With my monthly trip to Sacramento for my advanced yoga studies class and my weekly yoga class and my home practice ( I get up at 5am most mornings) I’m a little yoga crazy and loving it!!