Connecting with Children Through Mindful Play and Imagination: a conversation with Betty Larrea children's yoga teacher, author, and mentor

In this episode I am joined by psychologist, Marjorie Aunos.  Marjorie begins by telling us her incredible story.  Her life changing experience led her to finding a new perspective and way of approaching life.  We talk about character strenghths, positive pschology, and how they both relate to mindfulness.  The tips Marjorie shares are so valuable for both teachers and parents.  If you would like to learn ways to change your perespective and help your children become resillent and confident then listen in to hear all she has to say and connect with Marjorie to learn even more. https://www.instagram.com/ninjamarj/

In this episode I speak with yoga teacher, Sophie Spoor.  Sophie shares with us the powerful benefits of bringing yoga to the special needs population.  She also shares how to adapt to reach this population to allow them to find the most benefits from the practice of yoga.  Sophie is a French Yoga teacher, mum of 3, established in Singapore since 2007. She created So Yoga, to teach Yoga to Kids, Families and Adults in Singapore, and aims at bringing Fun and Happiness, Peace and Relaxation through yoga! Sophie specialized in kids yoga, also for children with special needs. She’s a registered MOE instructor. So Yoga School programme is implemented in 14 schools, and Sophie taught over 3,500 hours of yoga.  Sophie wrote and published 3 kids yoga books, boxes of 50 kids yoga cards, mats and accessories to practice yoga from anywhere, under her brand MiniYOGI. https://www.soyoga.com.sg/ https://www.miniyogi.com/

In this episode I talk to two moms who found themselves on a journey in the special needs  ommunity.  We learn the stories of both Taryn Lagonigro and Jessica Quarello, how their daughters brought them together and ignited a passion in both of them to serve the moms of special needs chidlren.  Jessica and Taryn founded Extra Lucky Moms to create community for all special needs moms, regardless of what diagnosis their kids have. This platform is a place for moms to come to get inspired and fulfilled, laugh and learn and be seen and heard. It's a space to find real moms talking about real life, interviews with people who inspire and to learn about all abilities and disabilities to create a more inclusive world.  We talk about finding community for support, advocating, self care and so much more.  You can learn more about their mission on Instagram @extraluckymoms or at their website extraluckymoms.com.

In this episode I am joined by Nikki Hedstrom.  Nikki is an author of a children's book, A Thought is a Thought, that explores the concept of our thoughts.  We talk about how anxiety showed up for Nikki early in her life and how she used that experience to create a resource for parents, teachers, therapists, and children.   Nikki is a first-time author from Vancouver, BC, Canada with a passion for helping people and creating change. She has been working in the advertising industry for the past 15 years, creating immersive brand experiences, using interactive displays and meaningful dialogue to engage and shift minds. She has leveraged this skill to help make the discussion about thoughts tangible and to create activities that help households reduce anxiety. Her methodology and concepts stem from the work of Eckhart Tolle, Bréne Brown, Don Miguel Ruiz, Maya Angelou, Jen Sincero, and stoicism, along with many others whose mission/work is to reduce human suffering caused by our thoughts. Where to find her: www.athoughtisathought.com Instagram: @nikkihedstrom, @athoughtisathought Facebook: @athoughtisathought Twitter: @nikki_hedstrom

Today's episode I talk with occupational therapist and yoga teacher, Michelle Amussen. In this conversation we talk about the powerful ways we can utilize mindfulness everyday to prmote wellness.   Michelle graduated in 2009 with her BS in Health Promotion and Education and later in 2013 with her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Utah. As a graduate student, she researched the benefits of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in helping individuals with depression and co-morbid substance abuse. Michelle currently works as an occupational therapist in the school district. She is passionate about the therapeutic benefits of yoga and mindfulness both emotionally and physically. Michelle has received specialized training in teaching mindfulness to children using Dr. Amy Saltzman’s, A Still Quiet Place, Curriculum; and Learning to Breathe: A Mindfulness Curriculum for Adolescent to Cultivate Emotion Regulation, Attention and Performance.  She is a 200 RYT yoga instructor with additional trainings and certifications in trauma sensitive yoga classes and yoga for at risk youth through the Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Center. She is currently in training with Brown University to become certified in Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR). www.incorporatemindfulness.com  Instagram   @michelles_mindful_moments

In this episode I talk about the fact that I have been feeling overwhelmed with having to make so many decisions over this past year.  The pandemic has made even small decisions into big ones.  I noticed a feeling of exhaustion and overwhelm around decsion making and that had me turning to my mindfulness practice.  I decided to rethink decisions and look at them as a chance to be curious and observe.  I also talk about how we can practice this with our children.   

In this episode I chat with Sara Weis. Best-selling author Sara J. Weis is a creative and passionate teacher who has inspired children for over twenty years. In Go Go Yoga for Kids, Sara has combined her experience as a school teacher and a certified kid and adult yoga instructor to introduce children to yoga in engaging and child-friendly ways. Sara is the author of Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga with Kids, Yoga Lessons for Children and Yoga Games & Activities for Children. She is also the creator of the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards, The Kids Yoga Challenge App and the online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training, which has trained thousands from all over the world on how energetically and effectively teach yoga and mindfulness to children. Sara holds a master’s degree in education as well as bachelor’s degrees in early childhood and elementary education. She is a teacher for West Des Moines Schools and leads kids yoga classes for a nationally-known health and fitness club. Her Go Go Go Yoga for Kids Teacher Training and books are found in over 200 health clubs, gyms and schools across the US. GoGoYogaKids.com https://www.instagram.com/gogoyogakids/

Susan Rose shares her new book, Everyone is good at something. In this book Katie can't seem to do anything right in PE, until the day that the teacher introduces yoga to the class. Then Katie discovers that everyone is good at something! More than just a story, Everybody's Good at Something is a fun and effective yoga practice for kids! IGTV video link https://www.instagram.com/tv/CQ8UZgtDzXz/?utm_medium=copy_link Visit www.susanroseyoga.com for more information on the book, and other kids yoga resources. www.facebook.com/susanroseauthor www.instagram.com/susanroseyoga

In this episode Betty and I talk about the value of mindful play and engaging children in imaginative advetures.  Betty Larrea is a poet, the author of Lucinda’s Magical Yoga Adventure and a certified yoga instructor who has been teaching yoga to children ages 6 months to 18 and their families for over 20 years.  She received her 200 hr yoga teacher certification from Three Sisters Yoga in NYC and has certifications from Karma Kids Yoga and Rainbow Kids Yoga. Betty is the founder of Be Yoga Be Love and provides her yoga and arts curriculum, author visits, enrichment programs, staff development training, and events for children, families and educators in schools, libraries, bookstores, and yoga studios throughout the country. She enjoys integrating yoga with poetry, art, music, storytelling and mindful play to inspire kids to BE and express themselves while promoting literacy and life skills. Betty is also a book doula who offers mentoring for aspiring children’s book authors and Mindful Play Shops to support parents, teachers and caregivers in connecting with and inspiring cooperation with the children in their lives. connect with Betty: www.beyogabelove.com https://www.instagram.com/beyogabelove/

In this episode Jelena Basrak explains the philosophy of Montessori.  We take a look at the ideas of that philosophy and how they can be applied to life at home with our children.  As an intuitive parenting coach, Jelena using both Montessori and inner work to guide moms of young children to calm the chaos in their home and in their head.  We identify the ways in which these concepts apply to mindfulness and how beneficial this work can be for families.  Jelena has great tips to offer to get you started on this journey.  Listen to the full episode to learn. Connect with Jelena: FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/sunshinereconnect Group: www.facebook.com/groups/gentleparentingwithmontessori IG: instagram.com/sunshinereconnect/ https://sunshinereconnect.vipmembervault.com