Mr. Rogers & the Place of Radical Caring in Education
In angry, challenging times like our own, it’s all the more important for us to pay attention to reminders of the best we can be. They are a source of hope, courage, motivation. And right now, we have a marvelous reminder in the acclaimed documentary Won’t You Be My...
It’s Not Just “ADHD Kids” Who Need to Release Energy throughout the Day
The other day, we noticed that our “Focusing Fun” segment from the Flying Eagle DVD – a demonstration of a simple game to practice focus – has now been seen by almost a million people. One million! Clearly, folks are looking for help with addressing ADHD symptoms...
Guest Post: How to Incorporate Mindfulness on Your Family Vacation This Summer
For many of us, summertime is travel time. Yet whether it's a day at the beach, a weekend of camping, a week of sightseeing, or a longer journey abroad, it can be easy to get so wrapped up in the busy-ness of making trips happen or documenting every moment for sharing...
Why Yoga Calm Is the Right Choice for Teaching Social-Emotional Skills
One day when our granddaughter was five and we were driving home from school, she told me about a recent interaction she’d had with her baby sitter. “You know what I noticed, Grandma?” Anna asked. “What?” “I noticed that I was getting frustrated with her.” Great, I...
Many Paths to Yoga Calm, Many Paths It Can Lead To
There are many paths that lead people to Yoga Calm. For Pati Richards, it began with running marathons. “I wasn’t interested in yoga at all,” she says, “but everything I read said to do yoga to improve your running, so I took it up.” So when Yoga Calm training was...
Before Soothing, Release: The Sensory Memory of Stress & Trauma
As I sat down this morning to write, news came of yet another school shooting. Ten dead. At least a dozen injured. All in that small city outside of Houston traumatized in some way, directly or indirectly. Countless others of us may experience vicarious trauma to one...
Teachers, You’re Amazing!
When high school English teacher Brittni Darras learned that one of her students had tried to kill herself, she was grief-stricken. Darras had known her as “a friendly, intelligent, beautiful, driven, young woman.” As Reader’s Digest recounted, Darras felt helpless...
Gratitude Comes Right Back to Us
Though most of my work these days is in continuing to grow Yoga Calm and running a family counseling practice, I still love going into the classroom. The kids inspire me, and being in the classroom helps keep me connected. Lately, I’ve especially enjoyed providing...
The Return of the “Adventure” Playground – The Developmental Need to Face “Danger”
Think of Monterey, California, and you may think of its spectacular aquarium or Cannery Row or its rocky, cypress peppered shoreline, the squeal of sea otters and bark of the sea lions sounding over the crashing surf. But if you were lucky enough to grow up in the...
Beyond the Classroom: Yoga Calm in Juvenile Detention Centers & Other Settings
Through the years, we have been blessed to work with so many amazing teachers, counselors, social workers, therapists, and other helping professionals who dedicate themselves to helping children and families thrive in an ever more challenging world. One of those is...
Guest Post: A Boy & a Bear & Leadership
Learning to breathe," writes third grade teacher Stephanie Kennelly, "builds strength and confidence. Becoming a leader helps solidify belief in your Self. Combining the two...has left a huge impact on my students (and me)!" She shares more reflection on breathwork...
It’s Time to Address the Root Causes of School Shootings
For many of us, these past few days have been a tangle of grief and anger. Seventeen human beings were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida – 14 students and 3 faculty members. At least 15 more were injured. It’s not just the degree of bloodshed...