A Journey from Trauma to TRE
It’s one thing to hear about TRE and how it can help individuals release stress and heal from trauma. Experiencing it is something else entirely. So we were quite pleased when Julie, a school teacher here in Portland, offered to let us share some of her writing about...
The Promise & Hope of Post-Traumatic Growth
By Lynea Gillen Back when I was first learning about trauma’s impact and the possibilities of healing, I often saw the negative consequences of childhood trauma pushed to center stage: addictive and other self-destructive behaviors, worse education and employment...
Why You Should Have a Breathing Sphere in Your Back-to-School Toolkit
As kids return to school - some, in person for the first time since the pandemic began - many educators have homed in on the importance of relationship-building and greater attention to kids’ emotional needs, even as they remain aware of learning gaps that will need...
Community Always Matters. This Back-to-School Season, It Matters Even More
With COVID cases spiking again, another school year begins with renewed uncertainty. While some districts have abruptly shifted back to virtual school, others forge ahead with efforts to safely support in-person schooling. Some will continue to offer both models,...
Mindfulness Truly Blooms in Community
Mindfulness has real benefits. The research makes that clear. It can reduce stress. It can reduce emotional reactivity and increase cognitive flexibility. It can boost memory and focus. The list could - and does - go on. Yet those kinds of results also point towards...
Guest Post: What Does Good Posture Look Like?
All motion begins with posture, and all motion ends with posture. That’s part of the second Posture Principle from Dr. Steven Weiniger’s book Stand Taller-Live Longer: A Posture & Anti-Aging Strategy - and the reason his at-home program is used by clinicians to...
Making a Real Commitment to Students’ Mental Health & Well-Being
The strong, handsome, teen boy sat in my office with a look of deep despair on his face. He was a kind person and a straight-A student, but recent trauma had pulled everything out from under him. There were panic attacks and sleepless nights. He struggled to...
Guest Post: Breathe Easier with Stronger Posture
Good posture is something you hear a lot about as a kid. I can remember distinctly hearing my mom say, "Sit up tall and put your shoulders back!" You might remember your own mom (or dad or caregiver) telling you something similar. Yet here we are today in our...
Teaching Mindfulness to Kids Through Story & Art
Recently, we were treated to a wonderful new book that guides young children into mindfulness through creativity - Colorful Place by art therapist Jocelyn Fitzgerald and behavioral intervention teacher Heather McClelland. Loaded with bright and captivating artwork,...
7 Tips for Telling the Difference Between Triggers & Tantrums
President Biden’s proposal for universal preschool was great to hear this past week. Of course, now comes the challenge of getting the plan through Congress. Still, we’re hopeful that some progress will be made toward making preschool available to more children. After...
Some Reflections as We Near Earth Day 2021
As we write this, we're entering the final stage of work on our Yoga Calm Environmental Education Curriculum. This project has been some years in the making and now looks like it will finally drop within the next few months. We didn’t plan to be finalizing it so close...
Sakura’s Call to Mindfulness, Mindfulness’ Call to Gratitude
While cycling through downtown Portland a few days ago, I was amazed to see so many people out along the waterfront admiring the cherry trees and their eruption of soft pink blossoms. The tree limbs were like arms, welcoming us to step out into the spring, with its...