Why Yoga & Mindfulness Based Practices are Good for Kids

Why Yoga & Mindfulness Based Practices are Good for Kids

• Concentration is a clear benefit of children’s yoga. There is a ton of documented evidence that yoga helps children to focus and concentrate in school and get better grades. That is because the asana practice encourages children to clear their minds and create a single-minded focus on the task at hand.
• Yoga builds self-esteem and self-respect. A child’s yoga practice is a rare opportunity to do something without ever having to worry about being wrong.
• Yoga promotes physical strength, encouraging children to use all of their muscles in new ways. This is great for non-athletic children who typically shy away from physical activity in fear of failure or being picked last. It also helps athletic children to excel in other physical activities and sports.
• Yoga helps build energy and stamina … while also calming a child and reducing stress.
• Yoga is non-competitive. It is one of very few (if any) non-competitive activities that a child can participate in. In day-to-day life, children compete on everything. Who’s the smartest? The tallest? The prettiest? The most popular? Who’s the best athlete? The list goes on… When children learn to be non-competitive, they also begin to be less judgmental…of both themselves and of others. Oftentimes, children’s (and adult) harsh judgments of others stem from deep-rooted insecurity and a feeling that they are somehow threatened by other’s strengths. Acceptance is a large part of yoga. Children learn that they are okay just the way they are. And when they don’t feel the need to constantly compare themselves to others, they become more accepting of everybody else’s differences.

“Children learn that they are ok ... just the way they are.”

— Pam Bonar

• Yoga greatly improves internal health. Each asana (yoga pose) is devised in such a way that it not only builds muscular strength, but it also massages and maintains the internal organs. Twists, for example, literally wring out the central core, stimulating and massaging those internal organs.
• Balance is a key element of yoga. The balancing poses were created specifically to promote mental and physical balance. Mental clarity and balance emerge from the effort of trying the poses. Even if a child never learns to stand on one foot, if they can learn to stay calm when they fall - and to get up and try again - they've learned balance. As children gradually learn to increase their physical balance, they are filled with a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem.
• Yoga builds coordination. Closely tied with balance is coordination. Children learn how to use their bodies in new ways. Through trans axial movement (across the axis of the spine), their mind is challenged and trained for greater coordination.
• Yoga promotes body awareness. Knowledge of the body and its components is integral to the practice. Young children learn about their spines, joints, and muscles. They learn how to manipulate their bodies and maximize their mobility. In yoga, we believe that nothing on our bodies was put there by accident. Our baby toes and jaws serve integral functions, just as our heart and lungs do. Therefore, we learn to keep all of our body parts alive and supple, no matter how seemingly insignificant.
• Yoga is fun! That’s all. It’s just plain fun.
• Yoga improves flexibility in the body. The flexibility that results from a child’s yoga practice increases his or her range of motion and helps prevent injuries.
• Yoga promotes creativity and imagination. A child’s yoga practice is imaginative in nature, developing creative thinking skills and encouraging original thought.
• Yoga helps children to develop improved posture. When explained clearly “A long, straight spine allows the good stuff to come in and the bad stuff to flow out,” children actually become excited to sit up straight and stand up tall.
• Yoga teaches children how to handle and move through challenge. The only way that anyone grows in life is through challenge. Think of challenges as opportunities, rather than difficulties. Even if a child is facing an extreme challenge with a particular pose or activity, we encourage him or her to just try. With support and practice, we learn to find the success within the challenge.
• In yoga, children learn to take turns, to be nice, and to respect others. It is very important to promote kindness and sharing in all children’s classes. Everyone in a yoga class should consider each other friends and equals, regardless of any labels, positive or negative, that others may give them in school.

The Art of Relating

Everybody wants relationship success. We all desire greater levels of connection and intimacy. We want to use our voice to feel heard and understood, as well as help those around us to feel the same. And yet, sometimes we can find ourselves trapped in habitual communication patterns that leave us feeling overwhelmed, devalued, and unheard. And, despite our best intentions for deeper levels of connection, we are left feeling defensive, hurt, misunderstood and even more disconnected in our relationships.

In today’s world, we are engaging with more people than ever before, yet we struggle to fully relate to ourselves and to others. We are sharing boundless information broadly, and yet fail to actually communicate effectively at times.

At Sōl, we believe that real communication is a creative process and, from our perspective, an art. Relating to others is engaging with others with compassion and fullness in your listening, as well as increased precision and power in your speaking. It is feeling aligned to your personal values while connecting with others more effectively, passionately, and powerfully. This is the Art of Relating.

During this weekend workshop, we will explore multiple aspects of communication, current patterns that shape what we perceive and how we respond to others, as well as experiential practices, group discussions, and therapeutically dynamic yoga practices that support improved quality and connection in our personal, professional and intimate relationships.

TOPIC HIGHLIGHTS:

• Reveal your personal sabotage strategies that limit your effectiveness in relationship – why these once worked and how they no longer serve you
• Identify the coping mechanisms you use to deal with emotional distress and learn how to establish habits that are aligned with your values
• Explore societal gender-related messages that impede connection and define your relationship within feminine and masculine qualities of communication
• Gather insight into why you do the things you do, understand and appreciate different communication styles, and improve your ability to interact with people more effectively
• Identify relationship stages and practices that support intimacy, differentiate between intimacy versus sex and how to have both

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Please join us for this powerful workshop. Take your relationships to a new level!

Single tuition for the 20 hour workshop: $199
Tuition for a pair (any two people): $350
*YACEP provider - for yoga instructors - hours can apply toward your continuing ed.

Friday, September 14: 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday, September 15: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday, September 15: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Move to Live - Yoga for Cancer

Move to Live is a class for everyone, especially those being treated for or recovering from treatment for cancer. Each week will focus on different topics such as energy, sleep, self care, self confidence, pain relief, stress and anxiety. Come to learn how breath work, meditation, yoga postures and loving support of community can bring a deep sense of well being. We will include discussion of natural ways to promote wellness and vitality to assist in healing our bodies.

Morning Sessions Open to Our Community!

Please make plans to join us for one, a few or ALL of the morning practice sessions during our yoga teacher training! Come for the entire morning, or come and go as your schedule allows. If you need to arrive a bit late or leave a little early, we are ok with that. Set yourself up somewhere that lends itself well to slipping out without much notice. We'll reserve a few spaces in the back of the room for those who will need this. 

Saturday, July 14 - Saturday, July 28

• 7:00 - 8:30am: Pranayama, mantra, kriyas, meditation and discussion

• 9:00 - 10:30am: Asana Practice

** Regularly scheduled 9:00am classes on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday (except Intro) and Sunday will be rolled into the teacher training class. If you need to leave 15-30 minutes early, that is alright! 

This is such a unique experience and one that we are truly excited and grateful to share with you. It is incredibly powerful to get a glimpse in to what our teacher trainees are working on and through. Expect to be inspired, to be moved, to be in awe as you witness, and fold yourself into, this rich experience!

You just may have a breakthrough or transformation of your own. Please join us!  

Peace & Power Pre/Postnatal Yoga

We are thrilled to launch ...
{Peace & Power} Yoga for Pregnancy, Childbirth & the New Mother! 

For those expecting and new mamas out there, this is what's in store for you:
* create community
* nurture & nourish your mama self
* build connection with your baby (in or out of the womb)
* receive support as you navigate life with your newborn
* be held in love & care during this magic time

Expect to be honored, celebrated and supported by this loving community we are creating together! We can't wait to have you with us. 

Weekly for four weeks on Sunday from 11:00am - 12:00pm.
$60 for the 4-week series.
Make-up sessions available.
Registration required and open now!

Sōl Outdoor Series

Have you heard?! We're taking our practice outside this summer! Join our talented instructors at three lovely locations around town.

Wednesday 6:45am :: Classes will be held at Outdoor Campus West. 

Thursday 5:30pm :: Classes will be held near Story Book Island (by the creek). Park on the north end of the parking lot and we'll be right there!

Sunday 5:30pm :: Classes will be held near Memorial Park pond. Park in the lot to the southwest of the Civic Center and you'll find us easily.

*Registration is required so that we have immediate access to contact you should weather dictate a cancellation. 

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Full Outdoor Series Schedule

Studio Calendar

The Body - Whole.

Do you live with pain or discomfort in your back? Are your hips tight and uncooperative? Do your shoulders scream at you more often than you'd like? Join Kara as she leads you through an experiential process, teaching you how to bring much more ease and comfort to your body. 

In this workshop, you will:

• Learn how muscles react to movement
• Learn how to feel the true release of muscle tension
• Learn how to watch for an increased range of motion without pain or tightness
• Experience new ways to increase the depth of a yoga pose
• Learn how to change day to day habits that aren't serving your body
• Practice movements that will help you increase mobility and reduce pain
• Learn tools to help with common pain areas - back, hips, hamstrings, shoulders

We forever push for more, but there are times less brings greater benefits.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15 4:00-6:00PM

$20 for Recurring Donors      $40 for Drop-In Students

Special Mother's Day Sound Event

Love your life out loud.

Sōl Yoga Collective is hosting Astara and Orion of Illuminating Hearts on their 2018 Be Hear Now Tour! This Mother's Day, come nurture, nourish and bathe yourself in holistic Organic Sound Alchemy. Whether you are a mom or not, we slowly learn how to mother ourselves and care for others as we grow. Bring your mom too! Now is the time to care for your whole self.

Sunday, May 13  6:00- 8:00 PM     $35 advance tickets, $40 at the door (plus sales tax)
* Preregistration encouraged. Bring your favorite props to create a comfy nest for the sound event: yoga mat/blanket/bolster/pillow. We have plenty to share, as well. 

Organic Sound Alchemy© is an intuitive, acoustic, holistic, in the moment and from-the-heart restorative multi-instrumental sound meditation. Musical traditions and instruments from around the world, such as didgeridoos, flutes, drums, shruti box, voice and singing bowls, blend in a channeled resonant journey, unique to the vibration of the group gathered.

Organic sound means no digital compression or amplification, so the sound comes to you in its full frequency. Our holistic sound provides an antidote to the over-stimulation and disconnection of our modern world. The sound invites you into mindfulness; it drops you into the expansive present moment, helping you alchemize your Self. Together, in cultivated resonance, move from chronos (chronological time) into the gifts of kairos (deep time) and contemplation. These ancient instruments of the future invite you into presence. Come home to your soul. Nurture. Nourish. Now.

Read more about the benefits of Organic Sound Alchemy.
http://www.illuminatinghearts.love/soul-and-sound/#sound-alchemy
Read more about Illuminating Hearts.
http://www.illuminatinghearts.love/

New Moon Yoga Series 2018

This class series asks you to go deeper. To move your practice past asana and meditation to self growth through the shedding of old habits. Step onto your true path and work to let go of what no longer serves you. Each 90 minute class is split into 30 minutes of movement, 30 minutes of meditation, 30 minutes of introspection and connection.

The New Moon is a time to let go and start anew. A chance to glance within and reconnect to our deepest desires. In this monthly class we'll flow through a gentle yoga sequence that reflects our intention for the evening, spend time in guided meditation, and look within to journal and have conversation in community. All are welcome, no need to commit to the entire year of classes. Come when the work calls to you. 

Please bring a notebook or journal to class. 

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New Moon Yoga Dates for 2018:

• 1/16

• 2/15

• 3/17

• 4/15

• 5/15

• 6/13

• 7/12

• 8/11

• 9/9

• 10/8

• 11/7

• 12/7

7:00-8:30pm Free for Recurring Donors, $10-15 Suggested Donation for drop-in students.

Weekly Meditation Begins!

We are so grateful to welcome the Laughing Teabowl Sangha, a local Zen Buddhist group, who will be hosting meditation on Wednesday nights from 7:00-7:45pm.

Basic meditation instruction will be provided for those new to meditation, followed by a 30 minute sit and a short discussion. We have props (blankets, bolsters, blocks) for you to use to create your perfect seat, or feel free to bring your own. 

Two Yoga Series to Begin Sunday!

We are thrilled to be hosting Dr. Wyatt O'Day as he shares his love of yoga, combined with his experience as a Medical Doctor.

Join us for one or both of the following workshop series!

Beginners Yoga Series: Have you been curious about yoga? Ready to learn more about it? Now is the time. Learn all the modifications so that you can go to any class in a friendly welcoming environment.  

• This is a 5 week series - each Sunday beginning October 22. 
• 3:00-4:15pm.
• If you are unable to make a session recordings will be available for streaming. 
• Pre-registration and payment required.
• $150 for all 5 classes (+tax)
• Space is limited - reserve your spot today.
• ALL levels welcome!

Yoga for Chronic Back Pain: Taught by a medical doctor! Learn a sequence based off the recent Boston University Study showing benefits of Yoga compared to Physical Therapy. A beautiful blend of practice and information. 

• This is a 5 week series - each Sunday beginning October 22.
• 4:30-5:45pm .
• $150 for all 5 classes (+tax)
• streamable video available for classes you are unable to attend.
• Registration and pre-payment required.
• Space is limited - reserve your spot today.
• No yoga experience required!
   

What is FAR Infrared Therapy?

Far Infrared Ray (FIR) are waves of energy, totally invisible to the naked eye, which penetrate the surface of the skin where they gently and elevate the body's surface temperature to 107.6F/42C and above, positively activating body systems and functions.

Far Infrared does much more than just heat you up. It surrounds your body and penetrates the skin, joints and muscles.  FIR helps to build a stronger immune system, better cardiovascular health, and speeds up the healing process for soft tissue injuries such as tears, pulls, and sprains. It enhances oxygen flow and increases circulation. In addition, Far Infrared heals scars, wounds, and cuts and rejuvenates skin texture and appearance by lessening coarseness and reducing pore size.

Think of all these anti-aging, therapeutic benefits in one FIR heated yoga class! 

Just a few of the many benefits you will receive at your next heated yoga class with us at Sōl!