Alluem Kids

Nobody is perfect.

2012-01-26T06:43:00.000-08:00

As I was prepping for Storytime Yoga and searching for some new reads by my favorite author/illustrator Peter Reynolds, I came across one of his recent blog posts...

Peter recently visited a school in NJ where 6th grader Sydney shared her essay reflection on his book Ish called Nobody is Perfect:

Nobody is perfect
by Sydney Abraham

Nobody is perfect. That is a fact.

Not a scientifically proven fact, but more like a fact that, quite frankly, most people refuse to believe. People want to be perfect. It is human nature to want to be 100,000,004% perfect.

I used to be like that. I would cry and scream and shout if I did something incorrectly. Everything had to be exactly accurate and correct. I would not settle for anything below amazing.

All that changed one day in first grade.

My first grade teacher read us a story called "Ish" by Peter H. Reynolds. This book illustrates that being a little imperfect is okay. It also suggests that older brothers are pests, but who doesn't know that already?

In the story, a little boy draws a picture. His brother belittles his picture and says all sorts of mean things about it. The boy, Ramon, was very upset. Ramon's sister comes and comforts him and tells him that his drawing is very good and that their brother was just trying to get on Ramon's nerves. She said the drawing was fine- not perfect, but good enough. Ish.

When I first heard that story, it was just another story that my teacher read to us during story time.

A couple weeks later, I was trying to perfect a picture that I was drawing. It wasn't turning out that way, and I was frustrated. I was not a happy camper. Then I remembered that book, "Ish", that we had read in school. At that moment, and at many moments that would follow, I realized that was so important that it needed to be perfect.
Settling for "Ish" was good enough for me.

It was that day, not when we actually read the book, but when I discovered its true meaning, that really did change the way I look at life.

To this day, whenever I try to do something perfect, I remember that one picture book that changed my outlook on pretty much everything that's important in life.

I still try to do my very best every day, but I know nothing will ever be completely perfect. I now know that if you try to be perfect in everything you do, then you will never achieve anything. You will be too busy trying to perfect everything that you've ever done. Of course, everyone is a perfectionist in his or her own way. I will not settle for any grade below an A- or a B+. Some people will spend an hour trying to make the finishing touches on a picture they drew for fun. Others spend endless amounts of time trying to improve in a sport they love.

For me, perfecting little things like these is okay, but I'd rather spend time improving, not perfecting, but improving, the bigger things in life. I believe that nothing in this universe is perfect, everything from the smallest molecule to the largest galaxy has its flaws.

Nothing is perfect.

It never has been, never will be.

Everything is a little imperfect, "ish", and that's just fine by me."

Sydney, you are amazing. What a great lesson to bring to your yoga class. So many times society sends messages to our children that we have to be perfect - that we have to look a certain way, wear the latest style, act a certain way, and like certain things just because everyone else is doing it. We feel pressure that our grades need to be perfect, our art needs to be perfect, our performance on stage or on the field need to be perfect. As a result, if we can't live up to these standards - we break down, we become hard on ourselves, we cry and scream and shout like Sydney did when something wasn't perfect. But like Sydney reminds us, NOBODY IS PERFECT.

Luckily, there's yoga. Yoga teaches us to be who we are in the bodies we're in today. As we move through poses on our mats we find that everyone is different - we find that nobody is perfect. There are poses that someone may be able to do that the person next to us may not be able to do - and THAT'S OKAY! We learn to breathe through the difficult times and embrace ourselves whether we can do the pose or not. When we listen to our bodies and treat them with kindness and respect - moving how ever we are comfortable, we begin to enjoy being who we are on the mat and we learn to take that with us off the mat. We accept who we are without judgement. We accept that we are not perfect...and that's the beauty of life. I mean, if we were all perfect - how boring this life would be! So be a little "Ish" and love you for who you are today!

Baby & Me starts this Friday!

2012-01-24T11:33:00.000-08:00

www.alluemyoga.com - workshops tab

(Click to enlarge image)

Snowy Days with the Alluem Kids

2012-01-22T17:57:00.001-08:00

Quiet down on snowy days with your kids...take time to just be.

Winter Session starts this Monday!

2012-01-20T10:41:00.000-08:00

Classes are filling! Sign up today!

Peace Exchange - South Africa

2012-01-16T06:41:00.000-08:00

The Peace Cards are officially on their way to South Africa!

67 cards from 67 amazing Alluem Kids!

They are so excited and anxiously waiting for the kids in Africa to write them back. Thank you Ross Holzman of the Create Peace Project! Thank you for this work you do! Thank you for taking this trip and hand delivering the cards for us! Thank you for sharing our messages of peace with kids in other parts of the world! Thank you for being the change!

New Year with Little Flower Yoga!

2012-01-04T16:07:00.000-08:00

Great news for those looking to expand their knowledge of yoga for children!
Little Flower Yoga is offering some great workshops in the NY area!

Children's Yoga Basics: February 25, 2012, 1pm - 5pm
Jenn's Home Studio: 212 Colabaugh Pond Road, Croton on Hudson NY 10520
Tuition: $125
Come learn the fundamentals of the Little Flower approach to teaching children how to live their best possible life. We will discuss the core practices that should be a part of every class, expanding beyond movement to include breathwork, mindfulness activities, self exploration and community building. You will leave this workshop with a solid understanding of what the overall experience of a LFY class will be like for a child, as well as several activities that you can begin using right away with your children. Visit http://www.littlefloweryoga.com/workshops/little-flower-yoga-basics-0521for more information. Advanced registration is required. Croton is a 45 minute train ride from Grand Central Station.
Mindfulness and Meditation Practices for Children: March 24, 2012: 1pm - 5pm
Karma Kids Yoga Studio: 104 W. 14th St. NY NY
Tuition: $100
This course offers you ways to introduce children to a mindfulness practice that both engages them, and gives them space to listen to their own thoughts and feelings. Includes both still and moving meditations. Help children tune in, focus better, make sense of their emotions, make good decisions, and experience a richer and more fulfilling day to day experience of life. Visit http://www.littlefloweryoga.com/workshops/mindfulness-and-meditation-activities-for-children for more information. Advanced registration is required.
The Compassionate Classroom (and Living Room): April 14, 2012, 1pm-5pm
Jenn's Home Studio: 212 Colabaugh Pond Road, Croton on Hudson NY 10520
Tuition: $125
Are you ever frustrated by the behavior of your students or your own children? Ever frustrated by your reaction to their behavior? Feel like you don’t want to yell but don’t know what else to do? The Compassionate Classroom (and Living Room) workshop will give you tools and techniques to keep your students engaged through cooperation rather than control. You will learn to communicate in a way that shows compassion and respect for all children, and use powerful strategies to create an environment of mutual trust. Visit http://www.littlefloweryoga.com/workshops/the-compassionate-classroom-and-living-room-04142012 for more information. Advanced registration is required. Croton is a 45 minute train ride from Grand Central Station.

Peace Exchange this week!!!

2011-12-27T16:14:00.000-08:00

The Alluem Kids classes are cancelled this week, but not to worry - the Peace Exchange is on! Last year we exchanged with India. This year we'll be exchanging with Africa!

Join us for two wonderful events during the holiday break:

4-8 yr olds: Wednesday, December 28th - 3:45-4:45pm

9-12 yr olds: Friday, December 3oth - 7:30-8:45pm

Click on photo to enlarge.

Peace Exchange Flashback

2011-12-26T16:22:00.000-08:00

So excited for this year's Peace Exchange with kids in Africa! Enjoy this video from last year's exchange with kids in India! Join us this week if you can! Sign up online - workshops tab!

"Create Peace Project is an arts-for-peace-education non-profit organization. Through our work with people of all ages, our mission is to foster self-awareness, strengthen communities, and spread peace through creativity on a global scale. We achieve this by facilitating collaborative arts workshops and promoting positive peace practices through our arts-for-peace projects."

To learn how you can get your school involved in the Peace Exchange, click here:

www.createpeaceproject.org

Melt Your Heart

2011-12-24T05:58:00.000-08:00

Melt your heart and enjoy the holidays!!!

12 Days of Giving - Day 12 - YOGA!

2011-12-23T16:30:00.000-08:00

Last year the on the 12th Day of Giving, YOGA was the featured gift that gives back! Well here it is again!!!! It hasn't stopped giving back! So many benefits for your body, mind and soul! The list is endless! This year, give someone you love the gift of yoga! There are lots of options for gift cards at Alluem Yoga!

1 - Alluem Kids 8 Week Winter Session - $96 (1/23-3/20)
2 - Baby & Me 6 Week Session - $78 (1/27-3/2)
3 - 6 Week Beginner's Series - $78 (2/5-3/11)
4 - Yoga: The Workshop - $35 (1/7)
5 - Candlelight Restorative Workshop - $30 (2/10)
6 - New Student Special - 3 classes for $30
7 - 5 Class Package - $70
8 - 10 Class Package - $130
9 - 20 Class Package - $240
10 - Unlimited Monthly - $120
11 - Drop in Class - $15

SO MANY OPTIONS! And the good news for you last minute shoppers...you can purchase right online and print out your own gift card! Click here: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=7159

12 Days of Giving - Day 11 - Gaiam

2011-12-22T05:20:00.000-08:00

If you practice yoga, you've probably had a Gaiam mat or at least sat next to someone in class who has one. Gaiam has partnered up with a Fair Trade company called ONE WORLD through which they've discovered HOPE. Gina and Greg Hope's idea for HOPE Fair Fashion in Action is simply a small company based on very big thinking ranging from jewelry to clothing to home decor. Each piece celebrates the interconnection of the global community. And with a partner like Gaiam, HOPE is building markets for fair trade products and creating a safe, comfortable place to earn a living in dignity.

To learn more about HOPE, visit: www.life.gaiam.com/article/hope-springs-thailand-fair-trade-fashion-action

To shop HOPE: www.gaiam.com/category/fair-trade/top-rated.do

12 Days of Giving - Day 10 - SoapBox

2011-12-21T20:37:00.000-08:00

Much like our friends at Toms, SoapBox is doing a one for one project that is saving lives. SoapBox works to save children suffering from pneumonia, rotavirus and cholera due to unsanitary living conditions. They've reached out to several US cities, as well as several international aid organizations.

"When you buy a bar of our soap, we send a companion bar to a child in need. Our aid soap doesn’t look or smell like the soap that you buy. The bars of soap we donate are a mission-specific formula which is different than the bar we sell to retail customers. This is because the soap we send around the world has to be formulated for all types of temperatures, humidity levels, storage conditions, and water properties. Our mission-specific soap formula is specially designed to be gentle on all skin types (similar to baby soap), particularly for people who may have never used soap before. Despite the differences between our retail bar and our relief bar, the relief bar is still made with all natural ingredients, is glycerin based, and is of the same high quality as the bars we sell online and in stores."

Visit: www.soapboxsoaps.com

12 Days of Giving - Day 9 - Somaly Mam

2011-12-20T21:06:00.000-08:00

January is Yoga Freedom Month! The mission of Yoga Freedom Project is to unite the yoga community around the issue of sex trafficking through education, awareness, and fundraising for organizations we believe in. Why not start supporting now!? This holiday, shop the Empowerment Store through the Somaly Mam Foundation to help put an end to slavery. Beautiful jewelry and scarves made by survivors of modern day slavery undergoing rehabilitation.

Stop by the studio to learn more about Somaly Mam's story. Her book is now available at the front desk for a $15 donation to the Somaly Mam Foundation. Read this book, learn about Somaly's brave fight against the powerful and corrupt forces that steal the lives of young girls around the world...then share her story with a friend. A book discussion and donation based yoga class will be held at Alluem Yoga on January 28th from 1:00-3:00pm!

The 12 Days of Giving - Day 8 - PeopleTowels

2011-12-19T06:13:00.000-08:00

Choose to reuse! I love this company...

"People Towels are the newest concept in sustainability, and the latest in eco-chic fashion. An on-the-go, sustainable alternative to paper towels in public facilities, these reusable personal hand towels are made of a patent-pending fabric that’s 100% certified organic Fair Trade cotton. The light-weight fabric is absorbent, yet dries quickly. PeopleTowels are printed with eco-friendly dyes, and come in a variety of designs to appeal to different tastes and styles."

"PeopleTowels is born of the belief that we can all find new ways to personally incorporate sustainability and conservation into our daily lives. PeopleTowels is an idea borrowed from the Japanese, who have been using reusable, personal hand towels for decades."

And now you can kick the holiday season off with double good gifts - give a gift with a built in donation to a worthy cause. Choose from the "Plant a Tree Gift Set" benefitting Trees for Future, the "Breast Cancer Fund Gift Set" benefitting the Breast Cancer Fund, or the "Pet Lover Gift Set" benefitting the Humane Society.

12 Days of Giving - Day 7 - Kohl's

2011-12-18T06:06:00.000-08:00

That's more like it...I'm always excited to see which book and plush set Kohl's is going to pick for their Kohl's Cares® program. This year it's Nancy Tillman's charmingly written and beautifully illustrated series of books. The one seen below is from the "The Spirit of Christmas" collection. It's a sweet rendering of the excitement and magical moments during the holidays. This story shows that the most touching part of the Christmas season is spending time with those we love. Paired with the lion plush, this Kohl's Cares collection is sure to be a family favorite.

100% of the net profit from the sale of this item will support kids' health and education initiatives in communities nationwide. Visit the Kohl's Cares® site to learn more: www.kohls.com

12 Days of Giving - Day 6 - Booda Baby

2011-12-17T10:12:00.000-08:00

I love a onsie that makes a statement...look closely and you'll see that this one reads:

"I will make a difference."

"For every t-shirt or onsie you buy and for every t-shirt or onsie a child wears, Booda Brand promises the gift of a book through the incredible organization, Room to Read. A book that will inspire a child in need who wants to learn beyond the borders of his or her mind. Booda Brand truly believes that education is the key to breaking the continuous cycle of poverty. As such we have founded a unique business model called One for You, One for Humanity based on the idea of reciprocity."

I'm loving the Booda Brand site right now...they even give you some great suggestions on inspiration picture books! Great for the classroom (or yoga studio!!). Click here:

www.boodabrand.com/book.htm

12 Days of Giving - Day 5 - FEED Bags

2011-12-16T06:29:00.000-08:00

There are sooo many new FEED Products this holiday season! How can you resist???

One of my favorite bags that I've been using these days is the FEED Love Bag.

Each FEED Love Bag will provide 25 meals in areas with high rates of HIV/AIDS patients through the UN World Food Programme (WFP). AND it's great for toting around all those kid's yoga props!

And speaking of kids, check out the adorable FEED Our Small World Bodysuit and Pants.

Each bodysuit and pants set purchased will generate funding to help UNICEF provide 150 children with essential Vitamin A supplements - a nutrient proven to be particularly crucial to the health of a growing child. Sadly, millions of children do not have access to basic health care and nutritional supplementation, including Vitamin A. For these children, this one nutrient can make a big difference.

12 Days of Giving - Day 4 - Beats

2011-12-15T06:27:00.000-08:00

I've always been a fan of (PRODUCT)RED...afterall, I was born on World AIDS Day.

Beats by Dr. Dre headphones from Monster were engineered to let music lovers hear their favorite tracks exactly how the artists intended them to be heard. These headphones are the first Beats to be added to the (PRODUCT)RED collection. A portion of the profits from this (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition will go straight to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa...and all the kids love them.

SOLO HD (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition are available at Apple stores, www.apple.com, and www.dell.com.

12 Days of Giving - Day 3 - TOMS!

2011-12-14T06:50:00.000-08:00

We can't say enough about Toms at Alluem! We love their shoes! We love their sunglasses! We love their mission! For every pair of shoes purchased, founder Blake Mycoskie donates a pair to a child who would otherwise be barefoot. And now for every purchase of sunglasses you make, someone in need will get the gift of sight. Visit www.toms.com.

Remembering Alluem Kids "One Day Without Shoes"!

12 Days of Giving - Day 2 - Serrv

2011-12-13T20:22:00.000-08:00

Serve - it's what we do as human beings. We help each other, as Gina says, however you can,

when you can. Introducing Serrv - a nonprofit organization with a mission to eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide.

For more than 60 years, SERRV has worked to eradicate poverty through our direct connections with low-income artisans and farmers. SERRV originally stood for "Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation and Vocation" but their mission has expanded greatly since the beginning.

There is sooo much available through SERRV - jewlery, handbags, scarves, home decor, dishware!!! All Fair Trade and handmade!!! Visit www.serrv.org.

Here are just a few of my favorite items:

Tree of Life Wall Art

Children of the World Garland

And for the college kid in your life...

The Study Break Gift Basket

Haitian coffee, Singing Rooster Mountain Bleu, and new Snickerdoodle cookie mix from The Women's Bean Project are nestled in a tray with the Twilight Mug from Prescraft in Cameroon and the Discreet Notebook Set from Mahaguthi in Nepal.

12 Days of Giving - Day 1 - Krochet Kids International

2011-12-12T17:16:00.000-08:00

From the 15 days of Gratitude, to the 12 Days of Giving!!! Here it comes again - the list of gifts that give back!! Check in daily to see how you can help others in need while you shop your heart out this season! Krochet Kids International was started by a couple of high school friends who wanted to create cool headgear for their winter sporting events. Crocheting is not the normal hobby for young guys, but nonetheless it caught on and peers loved thier hats! They taught friends and family how to crochet up through college, when they began to want even more. They wanted to be able to reach others...maybe even people in developing countries. After a trip to Uganda, where they taught women how to crochet as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty. Thus formed the non-profit Krochet Kids International.Krochet Kids has continued to grow and evolve in ways they never imagined. Today, over 100 people go to the compound in Northern Uganda everyday to work and to rewrite their stories for the better. The products created abroad have been well received here at home and the cooperation of our staff in America and artists in Northern Uganda has created a sustainable cycle of employment and empowerment. Buy a hat! Change a Life!

The best part about this program...the label. Every hat carries with it the signature of the woman who crocheted it on the label. You can visit the website (or use your handy dandy QR scanner on your iPhone) to learn more about the woman who made your hat and see how you are directly impacting her and her family. And then...you can send her a message. Maybe a simple thank you, maybe a message of hope and gratitude. The women see every message and they appreciate each one.

Winter Session Registration is OPEN!

2011-12-08T06:42:00.000-08:00

Registration for Winter Session is open!

8 Week Session with Karen starts in January!

Alluem Tweens (ages 10-12):

Sundays: 11:15am-12:15pm

or Mondays: 3:45-4:45pm

Alluem Kids (ages 7-9):

Sundays: 12:30-1:30pm

or Thursdays: 3:45-4:45pm

or Tuesdays: 3:45-4:45pm (NO CLASS 1/31)

Alluem Little Kids (ages 4-6):

Sundays: 10:00-11:00am

or Wednesdays: 3:45-4:45pm

$96 per 8 week session

All fees and packages are non-transferable, non-exchangeable and non-refundable. Any classes not used in the duration assigned are forfeit. Students may make-up missed classes in another class of their age group only.

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 15 - Gratitude

2011-12-07T07:33:00.000-08:00

When we take the time to find gratitude in the every day things in our lives, we are feeding the soul. When we stop taking life for granted, we are strengthening our hearts. When we pause to breathe and love ourselves and all around us, we are increasing our quality of life.

I'm so proud of all of the Alluem Kids who took part in the gratitude challenge!!! I loved reading all their lists:

Family, friends, education, beds, pets, homes, siblings, the army, the president, electricity, shoes, clothes, food, water, health...and even homework. Oh, yeah...and yoga!

Thanks, kids!! Keep on finding gratitude!!!

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 14 - Savasana

2011-12-06T06:29:00.000-08:00

Savasana. Need I say more?

Benefits of Savasana (deep relaxation) from MyYogaOnline.com:

- relaxes central nervous system/calms mind - helps relieve stress - relaxes body - decreases beta brain waves and shifts to slower brain waves - reduces insomnia/improves sleep - reduces headache and fatigue - helps relieve depression

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 13 - Kids Helping Haiti

2011-12-05T06:26:00.000-08:00

This week some of the Alluem Kids classes have been working on their own pieces of art for this weekend's auction. The kids know about the disaster in Haiti and know that the people are still in need. By creating a piece of art work from the heart, they will be making a BIG difference.

I'm so grateful for these kids.

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 12 - Creative Souls

2011-12-04T12:19:00.000-08:00

This was a great day.

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 11 - Believing in Yourself

2011-12-03T18:43:00.000-08:00

Haitian American visual artist Nadine LaFond graced our studio today...what an amazing afternoon of art and yoga!! Gina began by leading us through some asana, opening our creative chakras and then Nadine led us through what she calls a Channeling Art Workshop. She helped students connect with and record personal journeys through the use of symbolism.
Nadine brought some pieces of her artwork to inspire the participants. The one that struck me was the piece shown here. Inscribed on the bottom is the Haitian phrase "Map Couri", meaning run away or escape. That is rethought with "Map Kembe" meaning stand strong. I believe this is a symbol of inner strength and determination. This is holding your head high and believing in yourself even in the face of doubt. So beautiful.

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 10 - Music

2011-12-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

"A Home In Haiti" CDs from Floating Records just hit Alluem!

For only $10 you can have this rockin' playlist of music to kick back and be inspired by! And to top it off you're helping make a difference in the life of someone in need. So grateful for music and this project. A Home In Haiti features 11 songs by Floating Records best artists, highlighting the finest local music in Marin County and beyond. From country-rock Americana from Calafia, to alternative rock from Acacia Collective, to the surf-guitar twang of Treble Makers, A Home in Haiti is a modern musical roadmap. Also with new unreleased tracks from local favorites Fiver Brown and The Good Sinners, and Tracy Blackman, A Home In Haiti is a treat for the ears and good for the soul. 100% of all proceeds from the CD are going to build a new children’s community center in Jacmel, Haiti, still recovering from the January 2010 earthquake. Our good friend Lisa Rueff, and her Collective Hearts Yoga’s “Collective Hearts for Haiti” project, are working tirelessly to make this dream a reality for the children of Jacmel. We are pleased and proud to be working with them on this effort.

To preview the music, visit: http://www.floatingrecords.com/fr_ahomeinhaiti.com

100% of the proceeds go to Off the Mat into the World.

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 9 - Birthdays!!

2011-12-01T21:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to me! Spent my day celebrating with some of my favorite Alluem Kids!

We mixed, baked and decorated a Whopper Cake at Storytime Yoga! Then celebrated with the 7-9 year olds with a fun-filled class!! So grateful for joyful birthdays!

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 8 - Christmas Trees!

2011-11-30T17:03:00.000-08:00

Past by the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree yesterday! They were setting up for the tree lighting happening tonight!!! I'm a sucker for a good Christmas tree!

So grateful for the holiday season!

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 7 - Making a Change

2011-11-29T21:08:00.002-08:00

I'm grateful today for people who want to make a change in the world. I had the pleasure of spending most of my day in the city with the Yoga Freedom Project Planning Committee and representatives from the Somaly Mam Foundation. It was an inspiring brainstorming session for the month long initiative that will culminate in an inspirational Yoga for Freedom practice led by NYC's leading yoga teachers. The evening will be a celebration of the yoga community's commitment to the eradication of slavery in this world. To learn more about this event and how you can get involved, visit: www.yogafreedomproject.com/

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 6 - My Art

2011-11-28T21:08:00.000-08:00

With the Alluem "Art of Yoga" Workshop coming up this Saturday (Dec. 3rd) and the Art Auction Gala Event (Dec. 10th), I've been diving into my art head first! (Watercolor image above done today.) It's been so great taking time to unleash my creativity - painting, drawing, collaging! So much fun!! I'm so grateful for my art!

My recent inspiration has been Nadine LaFond...she is an accomplished singer, songwriter, visual artist, teaching artist and friend. She is an amazing light in this world and will be helping us with these 2 great events at Alluem!!! I can not wait! To learn more about Nadine, visit: Nadine LaFond - Kickstart

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 5 - Time to Restore

2011-11-27T18:18:00.001-08:00

Restorative Yoga is one of the best gifts you can give to your body. I remember the first time I took a Restorative class...it was hard! Although it is not a physically challenging practice, it is a challenge for the mind. Restorative Yoga forces you to relax. In a world of do this, do that and go here, go there - and as fast as you can - it becomes a challenge to relax and let go. Our minds spin and our bodies wear down...we need to restore! During Restorative Yoga you are brought to a point of deep relaxation. During deep relaxation, all the organ systems of the body are benefited, and including the reduction of blood pressure and blood sugar levels, the increase of the "good cholesterol" levels, as well as improvement in digestion, fertility, elimination, the reduction of muscle tension, insomnia and generalized fatigue. The class is designed to relieve the effects of the chronic stress that our bodies hold on to. Through deep and relaxing stretching, our bodies release toxins that we unnecessarily store and hold onto because we rarely give ourselves the chance to slow down and release.

It was a rare occasion for me to be able to reap the benefits this morning during class with Leigh! Leigh teaches Restorative at Alluem every Sunday at 8:30am and Tuesday at 7:30pm. And this Sunday morning, Restorative was just what I needed! And for that I am grateful!

Learn about the benefits of Restorative Yoga for Kids: click here

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 4 - Fresh Air and Sunshine

2011-11-26T19:48:00.000-08:00

I'm so grateful for days like today. Fresh air and sunshine were in abundance today!

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 3 - Leftovers

2011-11-25T12:34:00.000-08:00

I am blessed.
Thanksgiving leftovers have filled our fridge. In fact, our fridge is always full...and for that I am grateful. There has never been a time that we have been hungry. And there are times that we can even share our wealth of nourishment with others who do not have enough.
I'll never forget the Food Drive we held while I was in school at Marywood University. I helped deliver Thanksgiving Dinners to families in need with the collegiate volunteers. I'll never forget their faces and the joy in their eyes. They were so grateful.
I pray for the families that don't know where their next meal will come from.

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 2 - Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

Here it is, kids...Thanksgiving - it is THE DAY to think of all the things and people you are thankful for. I started my Thanksgiving day bright and early at the studio prepping for our biggest class of the year. We had 46 shining students filling all 3 rooms of the studio - so much energy! It is really something special to experience!! Every year the money from this donation based class goes to a charity near to our hearts...this year was for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and in honor of MOvember! During November each year, MOvember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men's faces in the US and around the world. With their Mo's these men raise vital funds and awareness for men' health. Gina dedicated this class to her father who is undergoing treatment for glioblastoma - an aggressive form of brain cancer. And when we were asked to set our own intentions, I set mine for my dad, too.

Over the past two years, my dad has been undergoing treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Lymphoma. It has been a wild ride and hard to watch at times, but I am happy to say that last month, the doctors stopped chemo treatments after positive blood test results and reported him to be in remission. His spirits seem to be lifted, his energy is up and is hair has grown back, but no moustache. :) So this morning in recognition of the men in our life who have battled cancer, I bowed my head, held my hands at hearts center and silently sent prayers of thanksgiving to my dad.

I'm so thankful to have spent this morning with my beautiful Alluem Family - always so moving and always so fun (as seen in the video below!!). And I'm thankful to have spent the afternoon with my family at home around the Thanksgiving table. We are so blessed to be together.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

For more pictures of our Thanksgiving Class, visit our Facebook page: Alluem Yoga

15 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 1 - Staying Young at Heart

2011-11-23T19:17:00.000-08:00

“Everyone is the age of their heart.” ~ Guatemalan Proverb

Day one of the Gratitude Challenge and I couldn't be more grateful to be someone who is young at heart. I love when the kids ask how old I am...I always make them guess. Not too long ago, a 4 year old asked me if I was 15. I was tempted to say yes...because to be honest, sometimes that's how old I feel! And yes, sometimes that's how old I act! Yup, I said it!

I believe how you act when you're around kids has a lot to say about how old you are at heart. The hearts of children are playful, honest, and pure. They are full of imagination and joy. Some say our hearts harden as we get older IF we forget how to have fun, how to let go, how to dream, how to laugh, how to be free. To keep our hearts young, it's good to take a look at our own inner child - laugh, play, be silly!

Tonight I spent the evening with some of my oldest friends. Where did we go on this night before Thanksgiving?? To the movies of course...to see The Muppets!!! Laughter filled the theatre with applauding at the end - the movie was GREAT! Jason Segel = hilarious!!! Want to stay young at heart - go see The Muppets!!

My favorite part...right here:

The 15 Day Gratitude Challenge!!!

2011-11-20T13:46:00.001-08:00

What are you grateful for? What are the things in your life you most appreciate? The people in your life that you most love? The feelings in your life that make your heart want to burst?

When you sit a group of kids down and ask them what they are grateful for you may often hear the usual toys, dolls, or the latest piece of electronic entertainment. While hearing that they appreciate these things is nice, it's even bigger when children can look deeper and find gratitude in more then just the material.
After a class of moving down our bodies being grateful for every part of us - our eyes that can see the beauty in the world, our arms that can reach out and hug the ones we love, our hands that can lift up a friend when they fall, our core that houses our important organs that we need to take care of to keep us healthy, our legs that help hold us up, and our feet that take us where we want to go. When we appreciate our bodies for all it does for us, we want to take care of it so that we can continue to do the things we love and go the places we want to go. The Alluem Kids know that when they come to yoga class they are doing just that. Taking care of themselves so they can be the best kid they can be!
After class, the kids were introduced to the 15 Day Gratitude Challenge! Over the Alluem Kids Thanksgiving Break, the kids are challenged to take their yoga off the mat and think of one thing every day for the 15 days of Thanksgiving Break that they are grateful for.
Day One was completed in class and I'm proud to say they have shown me that they get it.
Some examples:
- "Yoga. It helps me to find peace in my heart." (Why I Practice)
- "My house. Some people, like the people in Haiti live in tents." (Hope for Haiti Day)
- "My home. Because it's still standing after the flood." (Natural Disasters)
- "My Mom." (Bonding through the Tween Years)
- "My Best Friend." (Fall with Friends)
- "My bed." (Time for Bed)
- "My shoes. Some people don't have shoes." (One Day Without Shoes)
- "Peace in my life." (Create Peace Project)

I told the kids I would also be taking the 15 Day Gratitude Challenge and posting each day on the blog! So for the next 15 days...15 things I'm most grateful for!!
Please note, during the Alluem Kids Thanksgiving Break, the following classes are canceled for Kids, Teens and Babies:
- Wed, 11/23 - Alluem Little Kids - 3:45-4:45pm
- Wed, 11/23 - Alluem Teens - 6:00-7:00pm
- Thurs, 11/24 - Alluem Kids - 3:45-4:45pm
- Thurs, 11/24 - Storytime Yoga - 1:30-2:00pm
- Fri, 11/25 - Baby & Me - 11:30am-12:45pm
- Sun, 11/27 - Alluem Little Kids - 10:00-11:00am
- Sun, 11/27 - Alluem Tweens - 11:15am-12:15pm
- Sun, 11/27 - Alluem Kids - 12:30-1:30pm
- Mon, 11/28 - Alluem Tweens - 3:45-4:45pm
- Tues, 11/29 - Alluem Kids - 3:45-4:45pm

Gregory's Paper Airplane

2011-11-04T13:35:00.001-07:00

I just ordered my copy of Gregory's Paper Airplane and I can not wait to share it with the Alluem Kids! This book was written by 8yr old Ben Sherman after attending church one week and listening to his pastor speak about human trafficking in Cambodia. That night he went home and wrote a book for the children. It is simply beautiful. For Ben, it's not about how many books are selling or even his accomplishments at such a young age...it's about how many girls he is saving through the sales of his books. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go towards Agape International Missions, a not-for-profit organization who's mission is to prevent child trafficking in Cambodia and to restore hope to its victims through holistic aftercare; and to International Justice Mission, a not-for-profit human rights agency that secures rescue and justice for victims of slavery and other forms of violent oppression, and helps them heal within their own communities in Cambodia and other countries in the developing world.

Gregory's Paper Airplane from 121 Community Church on Vimeo.

Soon the Alluem Kids will be happy to learn that in January they will be part of a movement to bring smiles to the faces of girls in Cambodia through the Somaly Mam Foundation's Post Card campaign...much like Gregory does when he flies his airplane all the way to Cambodia with a message for the girls inside. I recently learned of the Somaly Mam Foundation through Off the Mat NYC (a division of Off the Mat Into the World). I attended a beautiful yoga class and kirtan in the city to help raise funds for the work Somaly Mam tirelessly does everyday to save women and children who are being trafficked against their will. It is truly a global crisis. After the class, I picked up Somaly's book The Road of Lost Innocence (The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine) and was blown away. She is a hero. It inspired me to create my latest art video to help raise awareness (seen here on my art blog), and to also get involved with the Yoga Freedom Project that will be happening this January in yoga studios around the world including Alluem Yoga (details to come)!! If you can, please help Off the Mat NYC raise funds for Somaly Mam through the Yoga Freedom Project by clicking the link below:

http://www.crowdrise.com/yogafreedomproject/fundraiser/KarenGilmour

Thank you!!!!

Hey Kids - Tell your Dad!

2011-11-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

Given a chance to change the world, I would...

2011-11-01T19:50:00.000-07:00

"...travel to all countries in need and stay for 2 years each. I would teach children to learn and bring food to all in need of food. And provide shoes for everyone without shoes." - age 10

"...help broke people and families on the verge of breaking. Also, I would make food for people who need help. Plus, I would get homes and better places to live for poor families." - age 11

"...build parks and playgrounds for underprivileged children and sanctuaries for endangered animals." - age 11

"...put the movie Pay it Forward into action!!" - age 12

"...donate money to Japan and Haiti. I would also be as nice as I can." - age 10

"...become a vet to help endangered animals." - age 10

"...get rid of money and make it a you need/I need environment." - age 12

"...try to solve all problems, like world hunger." - age 10

I'm so proud of these Alluem Kids!!!

Halloween Yoga!

2011-10-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

Remembering Halloween 2010 with the Alluem Kids!!

Please note there will be no 3:45 Tween class on Halloween Day. Class will be rescheduled on Tuesday, Nov. 1st at 3:45. If you can not make that time slot, please come to the Sunday Tween class at 11:15am. Thank you and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!

Fall with Friends

2011-10-21T14:51:00.000-07:00

We are constantly changing - on and off the mat. Some days we're on the ball at school or work - conquering whatever may come our way! Some days we just want to go back to bed and start over. Some days we can stretch deeply coming into a full wheel, but sometimes we just may not be feeling it. Some days we may be so steady in our tree pose, but sometimes we may fall out. Every day our bodies respond differently depending on what is going on in our lives or what we may be feeling inside and that's okay. Our bodies change every day and change can be hard. Change can be confusing. Change can be uncomfortable. But change can be easier with friends.

Introducing "The Little Yellow Leaf" by Carin Berger. The Little Yellow Leaf is afraid of change. One by one he watches all the other leaves fall from the great oak tree. "I'm not ready yet." he thinks. "Not yet. Not yet. Not yet."

The season changes and still the Little Yellow Leaf hangs on tightly. Why? What is he afraid of? Why won't he just let go? As yogis we practice the art of "letting go", the art of non-attachment. We gradually learn to let go of the things we are attached to - it is a process. The thing that most often keeps us attached to objects, people, or feelings - is fear. Fear of the unknown. And the way to conquer this fear is through understanding. Having awareness of our fears and compassionately observing them allows us to embrace them for what they are so that we can more easily let them go. Hiding these fears, keeping them inside or becoming ashamed of them is counterproductive....it gives our fears power - makes them grow bigger. Sharing them with a friend and putting voice to these fears often helps...just like it did for the Little Yellow Leaf.

Just when the Little Yellow Leaf felt most alone, he spots a scarlet flash on the other side of the tree - a leaf, just like him, holding on to the great oak tree. "You're here?" called the Little Yellow Leaf. "I am," said the Little Scarlet Leaf. "Like me!" said the Little Yellow Leaf. Neither spoke. Finally..."Will you?" ask the Little Scarlet Leaf. "I will." said the Little Yellow Leaf. And one, two, three, they let go and soared! Together.

It is so much easier with a friend. The Alluem Kids found that out as they reflected on the last thing they were afraid to let go of - whether it was a toy or favorite shirt they've out grown, moving on to the next grade, moving to a new town, saying good bye to a pet - all agreed it's easier when you can share your feelings and fears with a family member or friend. And what better way to celebrate our friends then...partner poses of course!!!

Fall/Winter Session!

2011-10-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

Registration for Fall/Winter Session is open!

8 Week Session with Karen starts the week of Nov. 6th!

Alluem Tweens (ages 10-12):

Sundays: 11:15am-12:15pm

or Mondays: 3:45-4:45pm

Alluem Kids (ages 7-9):

Sundays: 12:30-1:30pm

or Thursdays: 3:45-4:45pm - * Class filled

or Tuesdays: 3:45-4:45pm

*Due to the overflow of returning students in this age group, we will be opening up an additional class time on Tuesdays from 3:45-4:45pm for this session only in lieu of a waiting list.

Alluem Little Kids (ages 4-6):

Sundays: 10:00-11:00am

or Wednesdays: 3:45-4:45pm

$96 per 8 week session*

4 student minimum/15 student maximum

*Please note: There will be no classes on 11/23, 11/24, 11/27, 11/28, 11/29, 12/20, 12/21, 12/22, 12/25, 12/26, & 1/1 due to holidays.

A Very Cranford Weekend

2011-10-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported at the Centennial Village Music Fest AND the Cranford Street Fair! I love the way this community comes together!

The Giving Tree at Alluem Yoga

2011-10-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Surviving Hurricane Irene for the Little Ones

2011-10-04T12:01:00.000-07:00

Free Support Group for Preschool Age Children and Their Parents

Cranford Community Center - Rooms 205 & 206

220 Walnut Ave. Cranford

Please take advantage of the Counseling Services provided by Trinitas Regional Medical Center this month. This is a free support group to help Preschool age children cope with the after-effects of Hurricane Irene. Parents will meet at the same time in the room next door to share their own feelings and learn ways to help their children adjust to changes brought on by the hurricane.

The group will meet on Tuesday, October 4th and Tuesday, October 11th from 4:30-5:30pm.

Child Health Day - October 3rd

2011-10-02T06:37:00.000-07:00

Child Health Day is a national observance intended to highlight the importance of children’s health in the United States. This year’s theme, Helping Children Lead Healthy Lives, reminds us that nothing is more important than the health of our children. Many times when we think about health, we may think only of germs, viruses, illnesses. While protecting our children from these things is important, especially now that they are back in school and exposed to a lot more, it is also important to make sure our children are healthy in mind and spirit as well. Your body hears everything your mind thinks. Staying positive and open keeps the whole self healthy.

Be Fit, Be Strong, Be You is a great book to help tweens learn how the mind, body, and spirit are all connected. It is a great lesson on health for the whole self. Filled with tools to encourage young people to become aware of their bodies, their breath, their self esteem, how they show up in the world. It's all about self care. The sooner kids learn how to live a more balanced life, the better and brighter their future will be.

Enjoy some downloads from the book through Free Spirit Publishing:
Introduction
Mind, Body, Spirit
A Note to Parents
Be Fit, Be Strong, Be You correlates with the National Health Education Standards.

Dude, it's time to wear your cape.

2011-09-27T20:31:00.000-07:00

Kids have big ideas and the world needs them!

Put on Your Cape, It's Time to Save the World from Jenny Shih on Vimeo.

First Day of Fall

2011-09-23T07:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Fall from the Alluem Kids!
Enjoy this video from last year's Fall Celebration!

Birthday Bash at Alluem!!!

2011-09-21T05:45:00.001-07:00

Book your YOGA Birthday with Alluem Kids TODAY!

Click to enlarge.

Global Mala

2011-09-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, Global Mala events swept the globe! Yogis gathered in places nationally such as Newark, the Jersey Shore, NYC, Scottsdale, San Jose, Hawaii - as well as internationally in places such as South Africa and Japan - all with one goal in mind...PEACE. These yogis practiced in large groups all doing 108 Sun Salutations - linking movement and breath. When we practice yoga we find a sense of peace and relaxation of body and mind.
I like to think of Global Mala as a wave of peace...meaning, peace starts with one person. YOU. Being peaceful to those around us, encourages them to be peaceful to people around them, in turn causing those people to be peaceful around even more people, and so on and so on. Creating a wave of peace, and in this case, through yoga...starting on our mats.

For the Alluem Kids this week, we have been practicing for peace as well! We did not dive into 108 Sun Salutations, but we did challenge ourselves to do 8 basic Sun Salutations! Each one was dedicated to sending peace out to all the different people in our lives:

1 - For our Parents - for life, for love, for protection

2 - For our Sibilings - knowing they will always be with us

3 - For our Grandparents - for their heritage and wisdom

4 - For our Best Friend - for neverending laughter, love, and joy

5 - For our Worst Friend - even they need peace, afterall we each have a story

6 - For our Favorite Teacher/Coach - may they bring us knowledge and strength

7 - For our Classmates - may we all grow together

8 - For our Town - with Community we stand strong

The kids all moved with grace and strength when intention was placed behind each movement. So proud of them! A much needed Restorative pose was waiting for them at the end!

Rising Above

2011-09-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

Remembering...

2011-09-11T07:44:00.000-07:00

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart...I'll always be with you.” ~A.A. Milne

New Class Time!

2011-09-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

The Fall Session starts tomorrow! Due to the overflow of students in the 7-9 age group, we will be adding a SECOND class time on Sundays from 12:45-1:45pm!

Alluem Little Kids (ages 4-6):

Wednesdays 3:45pm-4:45pm

Alluem Kids (ages 7-9):

Sundays 12:45pm-1:45pm

Thursdays 3:45-4:45pm

Alluem Tweens (ages 10-12):

Sundays 11:15am-12:15pm

Mondays 3:45-4:45pm

Alluem Teens (ages 12-17):

Wednesdays 6:00-7:00pm

$96 per 8 week session

(Ask about our family discount!)

Registration is still OPEN! Sign up today online -

www.alluemyoga.com - workshops tab

Helping Your Child Deal with Natural Disaster

2011-09-06T17:16:00.000-07:00

The recent natural disasters that have hit our area are something none of us could prevent. Not having control over a situation is not necessarily something many of us as human beings take well. Cranford, home of Alluem Yoga, was hit hard and no matter how you may have been affected - a couple inches of water in your basement or a couple of feet on your first floor - we were all affected. I've run into several of my students who through their young eyes, in their own voices tell me their stories. One has to imagine...is this taking a toll on even our youngest of children? Most definitely.

Staying Strong:

How can we help our children begin to deal with what is going on around them in this situation?

First, help yourself. I think about what we are told as we board an airplane. In case of an emergency, place the oxygen mask on yourself first and then on your loved ones. Ask yourself - are you okay and if you're not, what do you need to do to help you get to an okay place? Our children respond to our stress. They look to adults as guides as to what they should do in such a situation. Do we panic? Do we cry? Do we yell? Or do we stay strong and breathe, as hard as it may be? Often times we, as role models for our children, we are forced to hold it together. In the face of disaster or pain, we often muster up the strength to be the rock our children need. Of course we don't want to mask our emotions...we can be honest, yes we are sad, too, but we do what we need to do to get through it, and then in our own time and in our own way by ourselves or with a friend or family member, we grieve...and grieve we must!

Safety First:

The most important thing we must provide for our children is a feeling of safety. Reassure them and let them know they are okay. They may still be fearful and may need to stay close to you at first. Even though there is a lot to do until things are back to "normal", don't push them away. Take a moment to sit with them, let them help, and maybe even sleep in the same room as them at first. Be with them. Working together as a family unit builds strength in the household and shows children that a family that sticks together can be stronger then a natural disaster. Floods, winds, fallen trees may wreck our homes and our belongings - but nature's elements can never wreck the human spirit of a family unit. Think positively! Rise above!

Feelings:

Let your child express their feelings. Your children may be experiencing sadness, anger, frustration, or anxiety over the situation and they may not know how to express these feelings. You may even see them revert to past coping mechanisms - thumb sucking, bed wetting, hitting/kicking, hyper-activity, irrational fears, etc. Their eating and sleeping patterns may change causing them to become short-tempered or seemingly rude. Patience is the key. Encourage your child to talk about their feelings or even write or draw what they may be experiencing. They are just as confused and fear-filled as you may be. Make space for the ALL feelings whatever they may be without judgement. Breathe through them to reduce the anxiety. For yourself and your child - take deep breaths filling the belly and exhale slowly. Allow the anxiety to release through the breath - deep and slow.

Life Right Now:

Find gratitude. Take time each day to think of the things you are grateful for in the face of all this. Encourage your child to do the same. Much has been lost, but we still have our families and our neighbors. We still have love and strength.

For many children in the area, their places of comfort have been disturbed. Favorite toys, blankets and other sources of childhood comfort may have gotten ruined. Allow your child to morn the loss. Perhaps make a special trip to one of my favorite kid's places is needed: Build-A-Bear. The Champion Fur Kids Bear stuffed with a love, will not only be a great replacement for lost friends, but your purchase also gives back to a child in need through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation.

Also, many children are without a school. The board of education has mindfully placed the children in various schools throughout the area. This too may be added stress for your children (as well as yourself!). Starting a new school year with a new teacher and students can be hard enough. Again, be patient. Spend extra time after school to talk to them. Just being there for them and showing that you care can make all the difference.

For more information and guidance on getting through these challenging times, please refer to the Hurricane Relief Packet provided by the Township of Cranford: http://www.cranford.com/uploads/township/BWHurricaneIrenePacket2011.pdf

Reach out to your neighbors. Reach out to Alluem. I believe that our studio space was unharmed by the flood, because we were meant to hold this space for YOU. Come. Sit. Breathe. Just be. Take a class. Decompress. Give back to yourself. It is all about COMMUNITY. We're here for one another.

There will be a FREE Community Class with Gina - Gentle Yoga and Meditation - tomorrow, September 10th from 12:45-2:00pm. Please join us. Take this one hour and 15 minutes for yourself. Your body and mind will thank you. Namaste, friends.

Sunshine

2011-09-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

I like to think this little one, drumming up some energy outside The Mill the day before the storm, helped to protect our studio from the floods. Thanks, Emma Grace.

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-30T17:15:00.001-07:00

The aftermath of Hurricane Irene has been devastating to the families in our area. Driving around, I can hardly believe my eyes. My heart breaks. The water level of the Rahway River has come down now, but debris is everywhere. Fortunately, The Mill and our studio space at Alluem was spared. Water did fill the basement in entirety, but there was no damage to the main level of the building. We are dry and we have power. We are open and classes are running on their regular schedule. We are amongst the lucky few in town and we are so grateful.

Please know that ALL are welcome to visit the studio anytime. If you need time to breathe, practice, sit, rest, meditate, have tea...whatever you need. Our doors are open. Let this space be your safe haven.

And finally a note from Gina...

One more look at the shore...

2011-08-23T16:56:00.000-07:00

The Sea Shell Yoga Workshop happening tomorrow, August 24th from 3:00-4:30pm

IS FULL! Space is limited...sorry, no drop-ins!
Grab a Sea Shell and visualize yourself by the sea! Join us for a fun filled hour and a half of under the sea themed yoga inspired by Eric Carle's book, A House for a Hermit Crab. Allow your child to explore the challenges of growing up, facing change, and the practice of non-attachment...just like hermit crabs! (Shells and crafts included.)

Sorry we couldn't get everyone in, but please do enjoy the playlist we'll be listening to during class:

1- Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
2 - Moloka'i Slide - Ehukai
3 - He Mele No Lilo - Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu and Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus
4 - Jamming - Bob Marley
5 - Upside Down - Jack Johnson
6 - Make a Wave - Disney's Friends for a Change feat. Joe Jonas & Demi Lovato
7 - Under the Sea - Samuel E. Wright
8 - Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride - Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu and Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus
9 - Come to Hawaii - Joe Mcdermott
10 - Surfin' USA - The Beach Boys
11 - Into Yesterday - Sugar Ray
12 - Local to the Max - Imua
13 - To the Sea - Jack Johnson
14 - High Tide or Low Tide - Bob Marley
15 - Home Is - Jodi Benson
16 - Bethany's Wave - Marco Beltrami
17 - Harp Melody Relaxation: Calming Ocean - Amy Camie

Back-to-Soccer

2011-08-19T06:16:00.000-07:00

On my way to the studio as I passed 3 soccer fields filled with players in pinnies, my quads started to burn. I remember this time of year...the dreaded soccer pre-season. Running laps, field long sprints, Give-n-Gos, squats, crunches while heading, throw downs...not to mention done in the scorching heat. I spent many a days with ice packs and heating pads after hours of conditioning to prep ourselves for the season. Understandably so...I mean, pre-season may just be the most critical time of the entire season.

If only I knew then that yoga was such an amazing compliment to soccer...or any sport for that matter! Luckily, some of the USA Women's National Team have been privy to this information! Hope Solo, one of the best-ever US goalies, attributes her yoga practice for her focus, poise, and reflexes in the goal, according to Nike Women:

“As an athlete I like to keep my speed and my agility, and that dynamic part of who I am. A lot of times simple stretching takes away from your speed, so for me dynamic yoga gives me the ability and empowers me to keep my speed and elongate my muscles.
Several years ago it wasn’t as popular for professional athletes to do. Now you’ll find this day and age people are really starting to realize it really benefits them on the field.”

Honestly, I think yoga is one of the main reasons the team made it to the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time since 1999...just sayin'.
For more on Soccer and Yoga...click here.

Fall Registration is Open!

2011-08-16T11:06:00.001-07:00

Alluem Kids and Teens 8 Week Sessions start the week of Sept. 11th!
Alluem Teens (ages 12-17):

Wednesdays - 6:00-7:00pm

Alluem Tweens (ages 10-12):

Sundays - 11:15am-12:15pm

Mondays - 3:45-4:45pm

Alluem Kids (ages 7-9):

Thursdays - 3:45-4:45pm

Alluem Little Kids (ages 4-6):

Sundays - 10:00-11:00am

Wednesdays - 3:45-4:45pm

$96 per 8 week session (ask about our family rates!)

Email alluemyoga@verizon.net to learn more about our Therapeutic Yoga for the Special Needs Child

All fees and packages are non-transferable, non-exchangeable and non-refundable. Any classes not used in the duration assigned are forfeit. Make-up classes are allowed during the current session in the age appropriate space.

The Creative Yogi

2011-08-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

Whether you believe it or not, YOU ARE CREATIVE! We all are. Humans are creative by nature - in the way we speak, the way we move, the way we dress, the way we play and do our work. We are constantly coming up with new ideas and new ways to move through our days. That makes us all creative beings!!!

I recently came across an article on using Yoga Nidra ("Yogic Sleep" - a meditative practice including body scanning, breathing, and guided imagery to calm the central nervous system) for Creativity. When we are in a completely relaxed and open state of mind, our creativity levels naturally rise leaving us to better think, write, draw, paint, sculpt, build, etc, etc. When we are relaxed and free from stress and anxiety we can detach ourselves from the outcome of our projects and create moment by moment working from the inside out. This practice also works wonders in children and was tested on a school in Satna, M.P., India:
http://www.yogamag.net/archives/2006/isep06/yncre.shtml
The Alluem Kids equally responded positively to the practice as they were hesitant and held some self criticism during the Quick Draw before Yoga Nidra, and were relaxed and free, creating intuitively after Yoga Nidra! It is really something to watch children slowly let go of judgment and hesitation and truly come into their own!

As seen in the video of our workshop....
Drawing the Breath:
Drawing the breath is simply that - place the point of a crayon on your paper. As you inhale drag the crayon up. As you exhale drag the crayon down. Continue this constant zig-zag line all the way down the paper. Play with the breath. Short lines for quick breaths. Long lines for deep breaths. Use different colors. Admire your work.

Quick Draw the Poses:
Grab a friend and pick a pose. Keep your hand loose - DRAW! Keep looking at the pose and looking at your paper - notice the shapes and lines of the body! Scribble scribble until the pose appears on your page! Don't worry about how silly or sloppy it may look. Just let go! Admire your work.

Creating Intuitively:
Embrace how you feel in the present moment. Take a piece of water color paper and pick a color of paint that best represents how you feel right now after practicing yoga and yoga nidra. Listen to what is inside of you. With an option of paint, markers, crayons, pastels, or collage - create freely. Don't not think of the outcome, just take it one step at a time. Admire your work.

Growing to Love Our Bodies

2011-08-08T08:32:00.000-07:00

Without question, yoga and body awareness go hand in hand for both children and adults. Personally, when I first found yoga, it was for that main purpose - to embrace myself in the body I am in today. More and more I am seeing how extremely crucial finding a positive and healthy relationship with your body is becoming for children and teens. The article below, put out by CNN this morning, stresses this now more then ever in children as young as 7yrs old.

"The Scary Trend of Tweens with Anorexia"
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/08/08/tweens.anorexia.parenting/
"-- A 7 year old announces that she's become a vegetarian because she loves animals. Then she starts eating less and less of her food. When her parents bring her into treatment, she is emaciated but pinches a tiny amount of flesh between her thumb and forefinger to illustrate "how fat" she really is. She is a full-blown anorexic.

-- A 10-year-old girl, newly back in the U.S. after her missionary parents return from overseas, feels guilty about the abundance of food she finds here when children in other parts of the world are starving. She cuts her food into smaller and smaller bites and eats fewer and fewer of them. Her parents have no idea she's anorexic until a pediatrician notes that though the girl has grown taller, she hasn't gained weight in more than a year.

-- An 8 year old whose parents are involved in a very messy divorce is frequently too upset to eat. The less she eats, the more concerned her parents become about her health. Soon the fighting virtually stops, transformed into a shared fear for their daughter. The family dynamic has shifted away from the divorce, and her parents have inadvertently reinforced the girl's eating disorder.

Stories like these alarm experts. Eating disorders are dangerous at any age, but when one isn't recognized in a child, or when treatment comes too late, the effects can be catastrophic."

What saddens me is that children are pounded with media images of "the perfect body". They hear parents or older siblings criticizing their bodies and talking about the latest diet fads. They become uncomfortable in their ever changing bodies and don't know how to react. And while we can't control what is being tossed in the faces of our children, we can give them skills to deal with these obstacles and teach them ways to love themselves for who they are.

"It's important for kids with eating disorders to learn to feel connected to their own bodies, as well as to identify their particular stressors and find ways to cope with them in ways that don't involve food. In therapy, the kids at Remuda Ranch (a residential treatment facility for eating disorders in Arizona) also learned to be critical of media messages, and through art, journaling, horseback riding or yoga, they worked to break the cycle of negative thoughts and develop the kind of self-esteem and overall wellness that will be a buffer against recurrence of the disease."

Through yoga we move and breathe in the bodies we are in today. I can't stress enough to my kids to listen to their bodies - do only what feels comfortable and breathe deep. I tell them the only body they should be concentrating on is the body on their own mat. Every body is different, so in yoga there is no comparing. Forming that awareness at a young age is so crucial in today's world. Luckily, through yoga that awareness becomes a FEELING - a feeling of self-love, self-confidence, self-respect, self-appreciation of body, mind, and spirit. When you FEEL something through your body in a relaxed state, it stays with you. It stays in your muscles, your tissues, your subconscious, and your heart. You embrace it, you make it your own, and you grow with it. That is the beauty of yoga.

Off the Mat Tank Top

2011-08-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

Off the Mat Into the World tank tops are in! Designed by *me*!

$28 - 100% of the proceeds go to the Global Seva Challenge This year's Global Seva Challenge is for Haiti. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. As of September 2010, there are over 1 million refugees still living in tents without access to water, food and health care. Working with select aid organizations that have been engaged in Haiti for many years, OTM will respond to both critical needs and also work to create and implement long term solutions. In addition, OTM offers trainings that empower local individuals and communities to become sustainably self sufficient. Upon reaching the fundraising goal of $20,000, our owner and founder, Gina, will embark on the Bare Witness Tour, a journey to Haiti where she will spend two weeks working directly with the organizations your funds support. The tank top proudly displays the Haitian national slogan "Unity Makes Strength". This slogan holds true not only for the people of Haiti, but also for the people of the Alluem community. Our community of yogis who have come together over the 9 months, have already raised $14,000 for Haiti! We are blessed to be so supported by such amazing people. The tank top also displays "Love" in every language, which is all we have felt from this community and is what we will bring to the people of Haiti. Thank you for your endless support! Stop by the studio for your tank or order one today (sm-xl)! Email alluemyoga@verizon.net! Please make checks payable to The Engage Network (add $5 for shipping).

The Art of Yoga Workshop

2011-08-04T05:05:00.000-07:00

Camp Alluem Kids!

2011-07-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

So much fun! Enjoy the video!!

A Prayer for Children

2011-07-29T15:44:00.000-07:00

Camp Alluem Kids (ages 8-12) Week has come to a close. What a fantastic week of yoga, meditation, relaxation, reflection, fun and energy! This was a most insightful group of tweens and during each one of our conversations, they never ceased to amaze me. Appropriately, as I walked into Gina's Thursday Flow Class after camp, she chose to read a poem that was sent to her that day...and wound up speaking volumes to both of us...

A Prayer for Children

We pray for children

who sneak popsicles before supper

who erase holes in math workbooks

who can never find their shoes.

And we pray for those

Who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,

who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,

who never "counted potatoes"

who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead in,

who never saw a circus,

who live in an X-rated world.

We pray for children

who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,

who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.

We pray for those

who never get dessert,

who have no security blanket to drag behind them.

who watch their parents watch them die,

who can't find any bread to steal,

who don't have any rooms to clean up,

whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,

whose monsters are real.

We pray for children

who spend all their allowances before Tuesday

who throw tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food.

who like ghost stories,

who shove their dirty clothes under the bed and never rinse out the tub,

who get visits from the tooth fairy,

who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,

who squirm in church or temple and scream into the phone,

whose tears we sometimes laugh at

and whose smiles can make us cry.

And we pray for those

whose nightmares come in the daytime,

who will eat anything,

who have never seen a dentist,

who aren't spoiled by anybody,

who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,

who live and move, but have no being.

We pray for children who want to be carried, and for those who must be.

For those we never give up on, and

For those who never get a second chance.

For those we smother

And for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

Off the Mat Into the World

2011-07-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

A-MAZ-ING!

Last week I had the privilege of making 46 new friends! What an amazing community!

I'm STILL processing from all I've learned about myself, my community, my practice and my world. This life is such a journey...constantly growing, forever changing. There is only one word to sum it up - amazing.

On my way! Everything's A-okay!

2011-07-16T18:37:00.000-07:00

As I sit here packing my belongings for what will most likely be one of the most amazing weeks of my life, I can't help but think about how much I will miss being at the studio with the kids and the rest of the community! I haven't been away for this long since we've opened! (Btw, our 2 year anniversary is coming up soon!) Tomorrow I will be leaving for a week long intensive at the Omega Institute with Off the Mat and Into the World:

In Off the Mat, Into the World®, yoga experts Seane Corn, Hala Khouri, and Suzanne Sterling guide us through an intensive transformational process to uncover our deepest passion and motivation. This personal work is the first part of our yoga practice.
Another vital part is interpersonal. It has to do with the yoga of our relationships: to other people, our environment, and all living beings. Defining and knowing our purpose is the compass that guides us to live on point, with richness and community.
This intensive is an opportunity for us to discover the connections between the yogic path and the way of divine service. We combine asanas, meditation, process work, and ritual with the practical tools of communication, organizing, and collaborating to help us become more effective leaders and agents of change in the world.

I am so excited for what I am about to learn about myself, my practice, the world of activism and how I will be able to better combine all three! As you may know, Alluem has already been working so closely with this organization, raising money for the Global Seva Challenge, through which Gina will bare witness in Haiti empowering those in need. All participants must raise $20,000 by December and thanks to the Alluem Community we are already at $13,600! Off the Mat has been a huge part of our lives over the past year, and after this week, I know it will continue to hold a huge space in my heart!

SO! Until I get back:

- 8 week Summer Session has ended and the Fall Session will begin the 2nd week of September. FALL REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

- Storytime Yoga is cancelled this week.

- There are still spaces left in the Alluem Kid's Camps:

- Ages 8-11: July 25th-28th

- Ages 4-7: Aug 1st-4th

- Check out the new workshops coming up this August:

- Aug 8th - The Art of Yoga (ages 8-12)

- Aug 24th - Sea Shell Yoga (ages 5-10)

- Aug 11th & 25th - Mindfulness and Meditation for Kids (ages 7-12)

For times and descriptions and to register visit the website: www.alluemyoga.com

Back to packing! I made sure to bring my Sesame Street "It's All Good in the Hood" tee shirt. I hope the other attendees like it! The Alluem Kids sure do!

Freeze Up! Warm Up!

2011-07-07T20:24:00.000-07:00

Each day is made up of different situations - good and bad. And just like yoga poses, some situations may be difficult causing us to freeze up or want to get out, while other situations (or poses) makes us feel good and relaxed. Being in new places or meeting new people may make us feel so shy we don't know what to do or say. Being in the dark or in deep water may make us feel so scared that we panic. All of that is okay. It's important to notice what makes us "Freeze Up", so we can learn how to handle those situations and learn how to "Warm up!"

On a hot day on the patio by the river, the Alluem Kids stuck their hands in a bowl of ice. Why? To cool them off, sure, but to also teach them a lesson about letting go of stress and maybe even how to deal with the people, places, and things that cause stress. They were encouraged to hold the ice for at least 30 seconds, but knew that if it became too much, they should listen to their bodies and put it down. After holding the ice cubes, it was interesting to see the way each child dealt with the cold sting. Some said, eh, no problem and dealt with it. Some screeched and wanted out after 15 seconds (which of course, I reminded them they could put the ice down at anytime!). Some felt the cold for the 30 seconds and then threw the cube back in the bowl, immediately caring for the cold hand - holding it with the warm hand or wrapping it in a towel. After putting as many feeling words as possible to how our hands felt, we realized that everyone deals with stressors differently.

At times when we "Freeze Up" (like our ice cold hands), we might forget that we can in fact make ourselves "Warm Up" and be the ones to care for our bodies and minds. Some may instinctually react and self soothe, but for some we may need a gentle reminder. Making a list (writing or drawing) of things that freeze us up (things that make us feel bad or scared) right next to the things that warm us up (things that make us feel happy or loved) serves as a great visual to help us through those "Freeze Up" moments. And seeing or thinking of those things that help us "Warm Up" is always a good way to keep us happy and healthy!

Firecrakers!!

2011-07-06T12:50:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all of the Alluem Kids who completed the Firecracker 4 miler and 1 mile fun run at Nomhegan Park this past 4th of July!!! So proud of you all!! And congratulations to the Cranford Jaycees for putting together another great event - 32 years strong!!! And thanks so much for coming by and practicing with me at the Alluem Tent!

Be sure to watch the footage below brought to us by the Cranford Patch and watch for the Alluem Kids!

Wanderlust - Yoga and Music Festival!

2011-06-28T07:06:00.001-07:00

Back from what can only be described as one of the most amazing weekends of my life thus far, I'm on what they call a "Yoga High"! I spent the weekend at the beautiful Stratton Mountain in Vermont with several of the Alluem teachers and a collection of some of the world's most renowned yogis - such as Sean Corne, Bryan Kest, John Friend, and so many more!

I not only walked away from this weekend with a wealth of knowledge in regards to my practice, but I am also able to notice the light within me shining brighter. I often refer to this light with the Alluem Kids as our "Heart Light". It is the light that is within all of us that glows bright when we do what we love, spend time with people we love, and share our love with others. It's also used to send love to people we care about and people who need a little extra love - maybe even people we don't know personally.

I think it was said best in the "Play. Love. Serve." class that I took with Suzanne Sterling and Kerri Kelly, as we were encouraged to find our inner 5 yr old and set her free (which is really not hard for me at all!), in the quote we chanted in a woven human community circle - “Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground." - Rumi

How we live, how we work, how we play, how we show up in the world - makes a huge impact in our lives and the lives of those around us. Let the light within us be what drives us forward. Amen to that.

Just a few of the amazing lights from Alluem Yoga enjoying class with

Sean Corne and Michael Franti!

Time for Bed

2011-06-14T17:14:00.000-07:00

Just like Savasana is one of the most important parts of our practice, sleep is one of the most important parts of our day. Without sleep, we couldn't function. Our bodies need rest.
It's great for children to set up a bedtime routine:
-Make sure the bedroom is quiet, cool, and dark.
-Try to go to bed the same time every night. Your body will get used to winding down to get ready for rest.
-Do plenty of moving during the day. Play, run, dance, ride your bike, take a walk. Get that energy out at least 3 hours before bedtime so your body will be ready for sleep.
-Don't eat a heavy meal before bed. Make sure you eat dinner several hours before lying down to sleep. If your body is concentrating on digesting, it won't be able to concentrate on sleeping.
-Don't drink sodas with caffeine in them, expecially in the evening. Caffeine makes you hyper and jittery - exaclty how your don't want to feel before bed!
-Have a bedtime routine. Do the same relaxing activities before bed - read a book, take a warm shower or bath, draw or journal, listen to quiet music, meditate.

There are also some Yoga Poses to help ease you into sleep - poses you can do right in your bed or bedside!
-Fists of Fire: If you have a crazy amount of energy that you just need to burn off before lying down, come to stand up into a Lunge Pose. As you raise your arms up, just like you would for Warrior 1, take a deep inhale. Quickly pull the arms back down drawing your fists to your sides and take a forceful exhale! Inhale up, exhale pull! Repeat going faster and faster. Come to Mountain Pose, close the eyes, even the breath, then repeat on the other side.
-Slow Down: Take some easy stretches to slow down the body. Do whatever feels good - Forward Bends, Cat and Cow, Knee Down Twists, Nose to Knee, Child's Pose, Reclined Butterfly. Listen to your body.
-Open Your Heart: Many times our days are spent with our bodies hunched over - at our desks, carrying heavy back packs, doing homework, playing video games. Come into a Bridge Pose right in your bed. Bend your knees and place your feet flat. Lift your hips up to the sky, leaving your head and shoulders down, getting a slight arch in the back. Open the shoulders, clasping hands and straightening arms underneathe your body. Breathe.
-Deep Belly Breathing: Lying on your back, place your hands on your belly. As you inhale watch your belly rise, making room for your lungs to expand. As you exhale, watch the belly fall pushing out all the stale air. To make it a little more interesting, spell your whole name - first, middle, and last - as you breathe. Inhale deeply and on the exhale say the first letter of your name silently to yourself. Inhale deeply and on the exhale say the second letter of your name silently to yourself. And so on...
-Legs Up the Wall: We've all had that restless feeling when lying in bed - the feeling like your feet will never stop moving. When this happens, take a Legs Up the Wall Pose. Sit as close as you can to the wall, and swing your feet up the wall as your back lies flat on the bed or the ground in an "L" shape. Let the blood flow from the feet. Relax into it.
-Relax the Mind: Sometimes it seems like we will never stop thinking. But when it's time to sleep, it's time to quiet the mind. Visualize a most peaceful place - somewhere you feel safe and calm. Imagine every little detail. Go there in your mind. Use a mantra - find a calming word or statement, like "peace", "love", or "I am safe.", "I am calm.", and repeat them in your mind over and over again. Try Sa, Ta, Ma, Na.
Just be aware. Help ease your child into a more restful sleep so he or she can shine bright every day!

The Balloon Ride

2011-06-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

After a visualization or meditation with children, it is always good to reflect. Give time to the children to express what they are feeling in the moment. Let them tell you if it was difficult for them or easy and enjoyable. Let them tell you what they saw, what they heard, and most importantly how they felt. Allow them to write or draw their experience. For the "Balloon Ride Script" mentioned below, I put together a guided Free Draw Worksheet - great for the little ones!

And just for fun...balloon-asana!

What's that feeling?

2011-06-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

It was his first yoga class and he was bouncing all over the place...understandable for a 7 year old! Not a problem at all - it's how children that age figure out to be in their growing and changing bodies!! And you've got to love the energy! At the end of class, like always, we ended in Savasana - deep relaxation. We take this time to slow down our bodies and minds and give ourselves the rest we deserve after what may have been a challenging class.

We closed our class and he approached me polite as can be, "Excuse me - after we laid down and stayed still, why did I feel so weird when I sat up?" as he made his arms look limp along side his body to emphasize the feeling. "Oh," I said "you felt relaxed." Relaxed. "Oh. Okay." he said. And when I asked him if it felt good, he nodded. It dawned on me that this child may have never experienced the feeling of relaxation. So this week, I'm dedicating all my classes to relaxation!

One of my favorite books, "The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook for Kids", is packed full of help for children to cope with stress, anxiety, and transitions in life. And for kids, if you make it creative, fun, and imaginative, then it will be effective.

This week in my classes, I've been using "The Balloon Ride Script" (with my own little twist here and there), which has captured children of all ages (and has even sent some into a light sleep). Relaxing on their backs, hands on their stomachs, they began with some deep belly breathing:

Did you ever see someone just let go of a balloon on a string? Did you watch it float up? It's hard to take your eyes off that.

What if we could let go of our worries, problems, and mixed-up feelings, and allow them to just float away out of sight? That would feel awesome. OR we could take a trip up in a balloon ourselves, the kind you can ride in. We are going to relax our bodies and out minds and see where the wind takes us. Ready?

First, just let yourself get comfy. Feel all your muscles relax and let go. Feel your heartbeat slow down and say to yourself, "I am relaxed." Take 3 long deep breaths.

Imagine you are in a big field, and in the middle of the field is an enormous hot-air balloon. The balloon has so many different beautiful colors and a comfy basket for you to ride in. The basket is safely tied to the balloon, which is controlled by hot air inside it. Just stay relaxed and notice what is going on around you. There is no right or wrong way to imagine this. Do your best to imagine what colors you can see on your balloon. Listen to the sound of the whooshing air filling the balloon. It makes a wonderful sound, long and slow.

You are feeling completely safe and relaxed on this trip, and maybe you will want to go with a friend or grown-up that makes you feel safe. Maybe you want to bring your dog or cat. Or maybe you just want to go by yourself.

As you get into the basket, you can hear the great whooshing sound of the balloon's air, almost like deep, slow breaths in and out. The big ropes are released and you are lifted off, going up, up, up. And you are feeling completely safe and relaxed. The field, the big trees on the ground, the houses, everything below you seems to be growing smaller as you float higher and higher. Can you see anything else below you? Clouds? Birds? Boats on a lake? Just notice it all and say to yourself again, "I am relaxed." It feels so good to just float away. The sky is like a big, blue dream, and you can feel the gentle wind blow across your face. You can feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. It feels good. You can hear the creaking of the ropes and the quiet whoosh of the balloon. As you rise, you feel every muscle become loose and relaxed. Anything the you were worrying about before left, any big feeling you had, any problems are just getting smaller and smaller, and it feels so good to just let them go, and you say to yourself, "I am relaxed."

As you look out over the edge of the basket, you see that you are floating over the tops of the highest mountains. Passing by the tops of the tallest buildings in the biggest cities. Flying over the bluest oceans. There is only wind and air and a light and happy feeling of being safe and free. Notice how this feels in your body. Just enjoy how good it feels.

Now slowly, slowly the balloon begins to gently descend, to get lower. You begin to see shapes on the ground, the tops of trees, and roofs of houses. Cars on the street look tiny, but are slowly getting bigger. Remember as you come back you are bringing that magical, peaceful feeling of relaxation and calm. You see the field beneath you as you gently, gently move nearer, downward toward it.

Finally you are almost on the ground. With a gentle thud, the balloon basket touches, and when you are ready, you step out. (Bend your knees and place your feet on the ground.) Feel the bottom of your feet touching the earth. It's been a wonderful ride. You say to yourself, "I am relaxed." Slowly wiggle your fingers and begin to stretch your arms. Notice how good you feel when your body and mind are relaxed. Remember that anytime you feel worried or feel like problems are too big, you have the power to relax and make them get little. Remember this special balloon ride and what you saw and how good it felt. And know you can return here and go up anytime, using your breath. It's all yours."

Enjoy and share this great visualization with your own kids!

Bonding Through the Tween Years

2011-06-04T20:16:00.001-07:00

The time we spend with our children becomes more and more precious as they approach the teenage years. For two Saturday afternoons, I had the privilege to spend time with an amazing group of Alluem Moms and their tweens. Moving through breath work, asana (yoga poses), and communication activities - I loved every second of watching the bonds grow strong between these mothers and their children.

These tween years aren't always the easiest. Our children take this time of their lives in a search to define themselves, sometimes sending emotions to run wild. They form bonds with friends who you may or may not like. Their interests are just starting to set in and their strengths and weaknesses push through. They need independence and we need connection. Fortunately for those of us who practice yoga, we can learn to breathe through it all and find ways to deal from the lessons we learn on our mats.
-Take 5 Breathing: When the emotions start to get out of control, bring it back to the breath. Inhale to the count of 5, exhale to the count of 5. Even the breath and find balance. Deep breathing will automatically lower the level of anxiety in the body. And taking 5 seconds can help us regroup before we react in a way we may regret.
-Tense and Release: Practice creating tension to remind the body that you can in fact let it go. Make fists with the hand, tighten up all the muscles in the arms, raise the shoulders up to the ears, squeeze the eyes tightly shut, take a deep breath in, hold it - then LET IT ALL GO. Relax.
-Partner Stretching: Buddy up and work together through easy seated stretches. Be gentle and communicate with each other. Stretch the muscles and smile.
-Partner Balance: Lightly support each other into challenging balance poses. Be there for your child, palms open trying not to grasp or grab on tight. Let your child learn to lean on you for a little, but know when to let go and let them find their balance on their own. They will fall and you should let them. This is how they learn to get up and keep going. This will make them stronger.
-Mindful Listening: Take time each day to really listen to each other. For 3 minutes each, take turns sharing the reasons why you love them, what traits you admire the most, what makes them a special part of your life. Then let them share the same. Don't talk or interject, let them speak. Just listen.
-Relax: Be quiet and breathe together. Sometimes it's just nice to be there with each other, nothing to do, nowhere to go, just be.

While planning this workshop, there came a point when I started to cry. I was listening to Taylor Swift's "Never Grow Up" and just thinking about my own relationship with my mom - how she was always there for me, always encouraging me, always listening, always lifting me up when I fell. I've learned so much from her and still continue to. Her strength is unbelievable and she is my hero. I am truly blessed to be her daughter. Thanks, Mom.

Thank you to all who attended these workshops. If you are interested in the soundtrack, CDs will be made available upon request for a $20 donation to the Off the Mat Into the World - Seva Challenge Haiti (cash or check - please make checks payable to The Engage Network). Please email alluemyoga@verizon.net.

Create Peace Project

2011-05-31T19:49:00.000-07:00

It started in a Sunday morning Alluem Kids class with a talk about how we can spread peace in the world. One of my 9 year old students said to the class, "Wouldn't it be cool if we could tell kids in other countries how we are peaceful and then they could be peaceful, too...after all it starts with one person, right Miss Karen? Why not us?" So right. I started researching online for a program that could make this possible...and I found the Create Peace Project.

So last November the Alluem Kids participated in the India 2011 Peace Exchange. The Peace Exchange is an international exchange of art and messages of peace between students of the world. The Peace Exchange uses peace cards (6 x8 inch postcards) to foster connect and spread peace. By first engaging students in the practices of peace and then asking them to share themselves, their creativity, their wisdom, and their heart, this project connects students to each other, their classrooms, their schools, and across continents as we bridge cultural, religious, and racial boundaries to inspire and enrich the lives of all participants.

In late February a team of three departed for a 3 month trip to India to complete the second half of the 2010/2011 Peace Exchange. Ross Holzman, along with Tara Shorey and Heather Wakefield travelled to India delivering Peace Exchange workshops and delivering peace postcards from approximately 8,000 students in the U.S. and Uganda. This is the second year of this international art for peace project that has brought them on an amazing journey through North and South India to work with a diverse cross-section of the cultural, religious, and socio-economic Indian population.

Today I am happy to announce, the Peace Cards from India have arrived at Alluem Yoga!!! The cards came from an all girl private school in Delhi, India - each with a message of peace, hope, and love. I love that this program is made possible thanks to the good heart of Ross Holzman. Thank you, Ross. Namaste.

To find out how you or your school can participate in the 2012 Peace Exchange, visit: http://www.createpeaceproject.org/current-projects/the-peace-exchange/

"What I Am"

2011-05-27T14:21:00.000-07:00

I'm LOVING this!!!

Go Brookstriders!

2011-05-23T20:09:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the participants of the Brookstriders 5K/Fun Run!

The Brookstriders race that took place this past weekend, was a kid friendly 5K promoted to encourage healthy lifestyles in our children. Alluem Yoga was proud to be their Platinum sponsor!

There is nothing we want more then to see our children grow up healthy, happy, and aware of their bodies and their minds. Letting them find a fun way to do this is probably most important! THIS was a fun event and we were happy to be a part of it!

Thank you, Brookside Place Elementary!

Thank you also for your support of our Global Wristband sale! 100% of the proceeds go to Off the Mat Into the World - Global Seva Challenge - Haiti.

Thank you, Troop 40334!

2011-05-16T18:05:00.001-07:00

To the Girls of Troop 40334:

Thank you for a wonderful evening of peaceful yoga and Prayer Flag making. The yoga you do on your mat not only strengthens your bodies, but it also strengthens your minds and your hearts so that you can take your yoga off the mat and into the world. Your donation to the Off the Mat into the World Seva Challenge was so generous, but it was your hearts that proved to be twice as big. As your smiles and free spirits lit up the yoga studio, your thoughts and well wishes shine bright for the people of Haiti. You are making the difference in this world.

I am proud to know each and every one of you. You make my heart smile. Namaste.

Therapeutic Yoga for the Special Needs Child

2011-05-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

Please welcome Patty Cean Saltzer, MSPT to our Alluem Kids Kula!
As a pediatric therapist and certified special needs children’s yoga instructor, Patty uses techniques from both disciplines to optimize the therapeutic benefits of yoga to special needs children. She holds a certification from The Sonia Sumar Method of Yoga for the Special Child. Sonia Sumar's innovated teaching methods have been improving the lives of children with special needs for 40 years. Patty will work with children in small groups or on a one on one basis on each individual child’s needs.
This class is designed specifically for children with: ADD/ADHD, Autism, Anxiety Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Cancer, Down Syndrome, Dyspraxia, Developmental Delays, Learning Disabilities and much more.
Pre-screening is required for this class and will be held on May 18th 3:30-5:30pm. If you cannot make it to the studio during this time slot, please call to make an appointment. (Patty is also available for Private Sessions.)

This class will run in a 6 week session on Wednesdays starting May 25th from 3:30-4:15pm.

Mother's Day Yoga

2011-05-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

Please note - you must be a registered Alluem Little Kid student in the Sunday 10-11am class to attend.

We All Have a Story

2011-05-06T09:40:00.000-07:00

We all have a story...and believe it or not, so do our children. Our stories start from the moment we are born and are forever developing as we move down this path called life. The article below is from one of my teachers, Jennifer Cohen Harper - founder of Little Flower Yoga, who so eloquently reminds us to embrace the child you are teaching no matter what story the child comes with and how doing so can make a world of a difference to that child.

"As we come to the end of Autism awareness month, I am very aware of all the information and advice that has been swirling around the children’s yoga world talking about how to support students on the spectrum. There has been some really wonderful sharing happening, but I want to take a moment to remind us as a community of how important it is to embrace every child as an individual. See the soul and not the story, as Seane Corn often says.

In my work with many different children, I have seen how easy it can be to start thinking “this kid has such and such disorder so I’m going to do this with him” or “I can’t do that with this child since she has a developmental delay”. We do, of course, have to be aware of the challenges our students face, and adjust our plans and our expectations accordingly, but often I think we can fall into a trap of habitually teaching to the disorder. This limits our creativity and our ability to show the child all that is possible.

In my teaching I always try to remember that all children have special needs, not just the one’s whose needs are most visible. Children’s challenges, whether they are physical, mental or emotional, are part of what make them who they are, but they are not the only part..."

Click here to continue reading on Elephant Journal

Camp Alluem Kids and Teens!

2011-05-05T17:09:00.000-07:00

At Camp Alluem Kids & Teen Yoga Camp, children and teenagers will enjoy an afternoon of yoga, meditation, breathing and relaxation techniques in a safe, nurturing, non-competitive atmosphere - while having fun along the way!
Ages 12-17: July 11th - 14th
Ages 8-11: July 25th - July 28th
Ages 4-7: Aug. 1st - Aug. 4th
1:30pm-4:30pm
$175 - cost includes yoga classes, crafts and tee shirt

Ages 12-17: Let your teen's yoga practice be the path for discovering their passions, their purpose, and their strengths. As we strengthen our bodies on the mat, we strengthen also our minds and our hearts. Through age appropriate discussions, journaling, meditation, and lots of yoga, hearts will open and they will learn what it means to take their practice off the mat and into the world.
Ages 8-11: This summer allow your child to learn about taking their practice off the mat and into the world. As we strengthen our bodies on the mat, we strengthen also our minds and our hearts. Yoga is more then just the poses - it's also about giving back - to ourselves, to each other, and to the world. Let them connect with nature by the river, with each other through partner poses and games, and with themselves through journaling, crafts, and of course yoga!
Ages 4-7: Get ready for a Storytime Yoga Adventure! With the use of picture books, storytelling, and imaginative play, we will make reading come alive as we move and stretch! Your child will walk away with their very own Yoga Adventure Book that they will make and star in!

Not from the area? Check out some other Kid's Camp options happening in the city at YogaCity NYC! CLICK HERE

Our Kids are Aware

2011-05-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

The news that Osama Bin Laden is dead has swept the nation. Celebrations rang out over night outside of the White House and around Ground Zero. Images of people standing proud with American Flags have been all over the TVs and newspapers. What exactly we are celebrating is up to you to decide.

Looking at the images of the people celebrating outside of the White House - it was mainly "kids" in their late teens and early 20s. They were kids who when the towers fell were probably between the ages of 8-12 yrs old and very aware of what was happening in their lives. Maybe the images of the towers falling were burned into their mind. Maybe they became afraid of every passing airplane in the sky. Maybe they had sleepless nights because of the tragic events. Maybe they even lost a family member to the worst attack of terrorism this country has ever seen. How they react today, 10 years later, was neither right nor wrong - it was exactly that - a reaction, because inside they still have a sad, angry, or scared kid inside.

But when we slow down today and look at our small children in that same age range witnessing all of this, we have to think...what kind of affect is this having on our children TODAY? I've come across kids who are confused by what is going on because they were simply infants during 9-11 and I've come across kids that after one day of the news hitting our nation would rather hide then hear, see, or talk about what is going on in this nation. It comes down to the fact that they are JUST KIDS. They are kids that are more exposed to the media then any other generation. They see what can happen thanks to methods of mass destruction. They see images of fear and hatred. They see images of people celebrating a death of another. And while we can't hide them from it, we can let them be kids.

Tune in to what your children are seeing and hearing, either from you or from the media. Be aware. Be sensitive. We can talk about it with them, but not harp on it. Let them write about it, draw about it, to get what they need to get out. Let us not instill our own opinions on them. Listen. Let them form their own opinions, say what they need to say, and then move on. We can teach them to breathe through the fear and uncertainty - breathing deeply, counting breaths before bedtime - inhaling peace, exhaling peace. We can help them to relax - visualizing the place where they feel most safe, most peaceful. We can turn off the TV and the computers and the video games and bring it back to the basics. Family board games, getting outside to play in the fresh air - a trip to the park, a bike ride by the river.

For the Alluem Kids this week, it's all about the Obstacle Course! High energy to release endorphins, keep us naturally happy and alert! Focusing our energy on the task at hand and getting through it one step at a time! Ending with deep relaxation - hands on hearts - finding that love inside of us and sending it out to those in need of more love in their lives....because right now we can all use a little bit of love.

"...Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

Working Together for a Brighter Future

2011-05-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

People say they want peace. Peace in our schools, peace in our cities, peace in our country, peace in our world. Peace starts with the ability to stand together. When we work as one, there is so much more we can accomplish then when we stand divided. This week the Alluem Kids learned that this is possible with a little help from a small black fish named Swimmy.

Leo Lionni's wonderful book, Swimmy, tells the story of a deep sea full of wonders, but also full of danger. After Swimmy loses his first school of red fish to a large tuna, he finds a second school of red fish who have been busy hiding out from all of the wonders the sea has to hold because they are scared. Swimmy teaches the other fish that as long as they stick together and stay strong, they can overcome any danger. And they do. All the little red fish swim together in the shape of a big fish - with Swimmy, the little black fish, as the eye! They are able to live a peaceful, happy life because they worked together!

After partner poses, group poses, and group games, such as the Human Knot and Pass the Hoop, where working together for the same goal was key - the Alluem Kids came together to recreate Swimmy's underwater school scene. Using small construction paper fish to make one large school of fish with Swimmy as the eye. They worked peacefully together glueing and decorating their own Swimmy scene! And then of course...Fish Pose!

Buddha Wisdom through the eyes of a child...

2011-04-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

Moms helping Moms

2011-04-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Get a gift that gives back this Mother's Day...from one of my all time favorite organizations, Me to We brings a line of gifts handcrafted by artisans in Free the Children countries around the world. Help a mother help her family.

(Happy Birthday, Mom!!)

Global Wristbands

2011-04-25T08:07:00.000-07:00

Global Wristbands and Alluem Yoga are banding together to raise $20,000 of Off the Mat Into the World's Global Seva Challenge 2011 - Haiti. Gina, (founder of Alluem Yoga) will travel to Haiti to support individuals affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010.

How can you help?? Raise awareness in your home, school, or wherever you go. Purchase your wristbands today! Tell your friends, family, and coworkers! Help create positive change in your community and beyond!

Contact Alluem Yoga to order your wristbands:

alluemyoga@verizon.net or 908-276-YOGA

Pick up your wristbands at the studio or have them shipped to your home (add $3 for shipping)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!!

LOVE AND GRATITUDE! xoxo

Earth Day at Alluem Yoga

2011-04-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

Mom and Me Mini Retreat

2011-04-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

The time we spend with our children becomes more and more precious as they approach the teenage years. Make it memorable for them and for you. Take time to bond, breathe, and find that peace in your heart with your tween on the mat in our sanctuary by the river. Join us for a kid friendly yoga class followed by pizza and salad! Get to know other yogi families and enjoy each others company at Alluem!
SPACE IS LIMITED!!! Register online TODAY - workshops tab!
$35 per couple
(Call the studio to register additional children for an extra $15 each.)

Love Your World

2011-04-17T19:37:00.000-07:00

Yoga is not just about the body and the poses that we do on our mats. Yoga is about giving back - to ourselves, to each other and to the earth. This makes Earth Day a very special holiday to celebrate! There are so many ways we can give back to the earth and they can be explored in the book Love Your World. Raising eco-awareness in our smallest yogis is crucial if we want to see a bright future for them. They can actually be the ones that make the change! Try a game of Toe-ga with a twist! A cup as our trash cans and pom-poms as our trash - red for cans, blue for bottles, white for paper, and green for food scraps. After we collected all the trash and it was time to sort and recycle!!! Cans and bottles and can be recycled into new cans and bottles or cleaned and used creatively around the house or as art projects! Paper can reused as scrap or turned into new paper! Food scraps can be turned into compost and used in our gardens to grow more food! Development bonus: sorting is good for cognitive and motor development! Here are some more great books on recycling!: Don't Throw That Away by Lara Bergen and Hey, That's Not Trash! by Renee Jablow

Alluem Yoga's One Day Without Shoes

2011-04-05T20:22:00.000-07:00

Alluem Kids Care!!!! I'm so proud of these kids!!!

To see more Alluem Kid videos, visit out YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/KGDraws?feature=mhum

TOMS One Day Without Shoes 2011

2011-04-03T19:05:00.000-07:00

One Day Without Shoes is the day we take off our shoes to raise awareness of the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child's life.

Alluem Yoga is going without shoes this Tuesday, April 5th so kids don't have to.

In many developing countries, children must walk barefoot for miles to school, clean water, and medical help. Millions of children are at risk of injury, infection, and disease that most can't afford to prevent or treat.

For more info visit: http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/

Shoes are often a status symbol. Children dream about their first pair. Find out how you can help a child get a pair of shoes by simply buying yourself a pair. Go one for one with Toms.

Visit: http://www.toms.com/our-movement/movement-one-for-one

All the World

2011-03-31T11:35:00.000-07:00

I saw the cover of this book and immediately fell in love. Not only is it titled, "All the World" by Liz Garton Scanlon, but the cover art, created by one of my favorite children's book illustrators Marla Frazee, was absolutely captivating. LOVE!

In an article I found, Marla Frazee stated, "Illustrating a book titled 'All the World' was a daunting proposition. I mean, it’s supposed to be about all the world. I was totally overwhelmed. Then I considered the times when I’ve felt the most connected to the world at large, and remembered that none of us ever inhabit all the world but merely our own small place in it. So I focused on one of the places I love the most—the central coast of California—and set the book there. Many of the illustrations in All the World are inspired by grace notes in my life. The grandfather under the oak tree is an homage to my own immigrant grandfather, who had enough patience and faith in the future to grow oaks from acorns—trees he knew he would never live to see taller than himself...I drew my zippy orange 2007 Honda Fit, and my faithful dog, Rocket, in its front seat, pulling out of the farmer’s market. The tulips, the Mediterranean architecture, the pink house, the purple-and-yellow sunset, the beach ball—all of it means stuff to me. I hope that readers will find many things in All the World that mean stuff to them, too. I love Liz’s text because it celebrates the small things, the big things, children, and grown-ups in equal measure. And I love how it is all mixed up and jumbled together and interconnected and personal and universal." I couldn't describe this book any better then that.

I gave the Alluem Kids this opportunity for a brief visualization after reading this book. Sitting tall, eyes closed, we thought about all the places we have been in this world. (Recently I've noticed how some of my students are more travelled then myself! Good for them!) These places could be local - in our own backyards, or global - foreign countries we may have vacationed to. Then we thought of which place in the whole world made us FEEL the best. We asked ourselves questions - why did it make us feel so good? What did it look like? What did it smell like? Sound like? Feel like? Who were we with? What were we doing? Capturing the image in our minds again, I asked them kids to sit in stillness with that image and those feelings. Knowing they could access this image at anytime - whether it is a time they are upset, sad, angry, or just want to relax and feel good. Before losing that image, I asked the kids to gently open their eyes and capture this image onto their sketch paper...I witnessed some of the most beautiful images appear on their papers - beaches, forests, parks, Disney World, Paris, Grandma's House, and...yes, I'm being biased - my favorite...Alluem Yoga:

For more incredible ways to use this book in your classroom, visit: http://www.lizgartonscanlon.com/PDFS/All%20The%20World%20TG.pdf

Namaste, Taylor.

2011-03-22T17:25:00.000-07:00

This is Taylor. Taylor is an 11 year old Alluem Kid. Always smiling, she is a light in the studio - exuding positive energy every time she steps onto her mat. Unfortunately, for the past 5 years Taylor has been fighting a rare auto-immune inflammatory disease called Dermatomyositis. It causes her to have muscle weakness and pain. Yoga is one of the best therapies for her - stretching and strengthening the muscles. Her favorite yoga pose is Cat and Cow, which warms up the spine.
This year will be Taylor's third year working with the Middlesex County Arthritis Walk Committee to raise AWARENESS & FUNDS needed to find a CURE. She could use your help! Taylor has a goal of raising $5,000. If you are able to donate, please visit her personal donor page by May 22nd to help her reach her goal. Any amount helps.:
http://msxaw.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=441258&lis=1&kntae441258=E2FB9515D2C34BAFA5126CFD34D4B12A&supId=244803123

In Taylor's words..."Not only am I taking medicine to help me manage this condition, but I am trying to help find a cure so that others don't have to suffer like I have. I refuse to let this stop me from growing up to be a beautiful, strong person."

Taylor, I believe NOTHING will ever stop you from becoming a beautiful, strong person! Namaste.

Welcome Spring...or make your own!

2011-03-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

First day of Spring and, well...it's kind of rainy and gloomy on the east coast. Some of us even saw snow this morning. What do we do when we can't find the sunshine, green grass, and bright colorful flowers?? Inspired by the book, Rose's Garden, the Alluem Kids, for one, make their own! Rose's Garden by Peter H Reynolds is an inspirational tale dedicated to Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. After collecting seeds from her travels around the world, she finds a small patch of land in a big city that she decided could use some color. Planting her seeds, she waits patiently through the rain, cold, and snow...never doubting that the beautiful garden she envisioned would one day come to be. Word spread through the city of Rose's faith in her garden and children from around the world began arriving to her garden with handmade flowers each with their own story. Filling her garden with love and handmade flowers, with time and because everyone believed in Rose's garden, real flowers began sprouting up!

This book truly "celebrates the spirit of community, the beauty of nature, and the power of faith and imagination". The Alluem Kids loved it. We took this chance to not only practice out Flower Pose, but to also make our own paper flowers with hopes of brightening up this chilly rainy first day of Spring! Using every bright color we could find! Imagining what our own garden of flowers would look like! Because when you can't find it out in the mud, you must make your own inspiration!

Cut a paper flower for a base. Using glue and balled up tissue paper, create your own Spring! And here the youngest child can develop fine motor skills by tearing, balling up and gluing the tissue paper to the flower pattern strengthening their hand coordination! Namaste.

You are nice.

2011-03-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

Today I was asked, "Do only nice people do yoga or does yoga make you nice? You yoga people are all so nice!" It made me smile. There sure are a lot of nice people in our yoga community at Alluem, not to mention a TON of nice people practicing and teaching yoga around the world. Maybe nice people are drawn to the practice. Or maybe yoga does make you nice. I thought about this...when you walk into a studio there is that certain feeling of peace and calm. The air feels warm and it just smells good. When you roll out your mat, it is familiar and comfortable. You know here you are accepted for who you are in your body today. What happens before you arrived, does not matter. What you're going to do later, does not matter. All that matters is that moment. It's a nice feeling. When you practice, you move, you stretch, you breathe - moving slow and listening to your body. No need to rush, no need to push. Taking time to just be.

My response to the original question, "Yoga is more then poses and exercise. Yoga is a way of life. Listening to your body and treating yourself with love and respect keeps you happy. Treating others, as well as animals and our earth, with that same love and respect is what makes those around us happy. When we live in a happier world there is more peace and less stress which I believe makes us 'nice people'."

Lucky for Yoga!

2011-03-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! The day to wear green! The day to eat soda bread! The day to search for rainbows and pots of gold! And at Alluem Kids - the day to think of what we are lucky to have in our lives. Going beyond the insignificant material goods - the Wiis, the iPod Touches, the HD TVs - we realize these things are not the things we are lucky to have. We come to our mats today to think of what's really important in our lives. Our friends, our families, the rooves over our heads, the beds we sleep in, the food on the table. And at this time as we are bombarded with heart breaking images of the recent tragedy in Japan, we may feel even more "lucky", or should I say greatful, to be where we are today. We have homes that are still standing. We know our immediate family members are safe. We don't have to wait for hours in a line of people knowing that that small bowl of rice will be the only food we will have all day. We don't have to worry about radiation poisoning. We are truly "lucky".

I, for one, feel truly lucky to have Alluem Yoga in my life and to be surrounded by such amazing groups of children that make up the Alluem Kids program! Each student that walks through the doors of this studio is a gift and I feel lucky to know each one of them. I am lucky for this life.

Here are some of the things the Alluem Kids feel lucky to have in their lives:

- "My home"

- "My family"

- "The best parents ever"

- "My dog"

- "My legs - some people don't have legs"

- "Trees - for oxygen"

- "Love in my life"

- "The sun"

- "Food"

- "People who care about me"

- "Yoga"

- "Life"

Registration for Spring Session is Open!

2011-03-01T09:46:00.000-08:00

8 Week Session starts the week of March 13th!

In order to give your children the attention they deserve, we're giving them more space to breathe and better focus on the age groups! Please take note of the added class time and new age groups!

Alluem Tweens (10yrs-12yrs):
Mondays - 3:45-4:45pm
Sundays - 11:15am-12:15pm
Alluem Kids (ages 7yrs-9yrs):
Thursdays - 3:45-4:45pm
Alluem Little Kids (ages 4yrs-6yrs):
Sundays -10:00am-11:00am
Wednesdays - 4:30-5:30pm

15 student maximum (which will be strictly enforced)!
Register NOW!
$96 per 8 wk session

Sign up at http://www.alluemyoga.com/ under the workshops tab!

Please Note: There will be no class Sunday, March 6th or Thursday, March 10th - these sessions have ended. The last class for the Monday session will be March 7th.

And don't forget about Storytime Yoga every Thursday: 1:30-2pm - $5 for yogis of all ages!

All fees and packages are non-transferable, non-exchangeable and non-refundable. Any classes not used in duration assigned are forfeit.