CIRCUS YOGA!

Here's a little behind the scenes action from the Alluem Kids...  

Run away and join the circus this summer!

CircusYoga, created by Erin Maile O'Keefe and Kevin O'Keefe, blends the consciousness of yoga with the communal celebration of circus. It is the human art of play that builds connection & community through playful practice. Practicing circus and yoga proves to be a powerfully transformative experience, developing learning skills, self-confidence and communication skills! Here is your chance to go on TWO Circus Yoga adventures at Alluem Yoga!

Mark your calendars... 

Family Circus Yoga with Sam & Toni 

 Saturday, July 28th - 12:45-2:15pm 

(Open to kids ages 7-87 yrs with parent/s.)

Register online - class tab 

and 

Circus Yoga with Sam & Karen

Wednesday, August 8th - 3:00-4:30pm

(Open to kids ages 7-12 yrs)

Register online - workshop tab 

To learn more about CircusYoga visit:  

 http://www.circusyoga.com/site/about.html

Take a Deep Breath.

Go ahead. Inhale for 1...2...3...exhale for 3...2...1... Feel better? I thought so.

Believe it or not, this little 6 second pause you take for yourself to simply stop and take a deep breath calms your nervous system, slows your heart rate, changes your mood - maybe even your whole day. Want to take another? Go ahead. It's your special day!

I was told in one of my recent Little Flower Yoga trainings with Jennifer Cohen Harper, that if you teach a child nothing else but how take a deep breath, then you've done enough. 

So true. This week at Alluem Kids, we've been talking about the breath. The breath is a powerful tool and even the youngest of children understand this. Just yesterday a 6 year old told me how she used her breath to calm herself down...

"Miss Karen, one time when I was on the monkey bars, I got really nervous! My hands got sweaty and I thought I would slip right off! But you know what? I stopped for a second and took a deep breath. Then I calmed down and I kept going!" 

I was so proud of her! Even in the midst of trouble and fear, if we can break through and tell ourselves to breathe and relax - we can keep right on going strong! Teach a child this at a young age, then no doubt it will stick with them as they grow. But really, that goes for any age! Recently I got into a discussion with a woman at the studio who finds breathing exercises difficult. She feels as if she's thinking too hard about it and her breath becomes too shallow. I could completely relate! I remember the first time I did alternate nostril breathing - I thought I was going to die! I grew up with exercise induced asthma and it brought me right back to those moments when my breathing became so short that I thought I may never take another deep breath again. I used an inhaler and a nebulizer right up into college during my soccer playing days. It wasn't until my early 20s when I was introduced to yoga, that I stopped using my inhaler. Honestly, I chalk it up something we yogis call Pranayama - the art of breath control.

Prana = Life Force      Yama = Control or Discipline

The more I sat and practiced the breath, the easier it became. And I kid you not when I tell you, there were times during class, when tears would fill my eyes over the anxiety that crept in from not being able to breathe correctly. Maybe I was putting too much pressure on myself. Maybe it was the bronchial spasms that I would experience. What I wanted most was to just breathe and relax! But the more anxious you get over it, the more shallow your breathing becomes. The more shallow your breath becomes the more anxious you get. Really, it's a vicious cycle. 
How do we stop it? Patience. Acceptance. Internal focus. When being introduced to a new breathing exercise, say alternate nostril breathing, first be sure the body is relaxed. When you begin, see how you do with the first round. Close the right nostril, inhale through the left for 1, 2, 3. Close both nostrils, hold for 1,2. Open the right nostril, breathe out for 3, 2, 1. Inhale through the right for 1, 2, 3. Close both, hold 1, 2. Breathe out through the left 3, 2, 1. Pause. How do you feel? If the chest feels tight or you're uncomfortable in anyway, stop. You've done enough for today. Just because the rest of the class continues, doesn't mean you have to! Same as when you practice the asana. Just because your neighbor is binding their seated twist, doesn't mean you have to! When we push ourselves when we're already uncomfortable, that is when the anxiety sets in and the breathing becomes shallow. By that point, Pranayama serves us no purpose. Just like I tell the kids, take it slow. We're in no rush. Come back to it tomorrow and try again.
Also, don't be afraid to let go. Many times we hold on to things that we're afraid to let go of in fear that we may need it at another time. This holds true for the breath as well. Take a deep breath in...hold it. Now let it go. Pause. Can you let it out a little more? Often times we hold onto our breath, especially asthmatics. If you are able to push out more breath at the end of an exhale, you probably aren't using your full lung capacity. Studies show, many of us only use half to two thirds of our lung capacity, depriving the body of oxygen. This is why a regular Pranayama practice becomes essential in taking control of the breath, strengthening the lungs, and possibly, (I'm no doctor) in my personal experience, reversing asthma. So where do you begin? Find your breath. Just notice it. Maybe start by lying on your back. Place your hand on your belly and breathe. With the kids this week, we used our Breathing Buddies. With our favorite stuffed animals sitting on our bellies, we are able to see the breath rise as we fill our bellies and fall when we exhale. It becomes a very meditative, relaxing and fun activity! Try it! Relax! Have fun!
To learn some new breathing exercise (for kids and adults), click here!

To "Deepen Your Practice", visit Alluem Yoga next Sunday, June 24th 1:45-3:45pm for a 2 hour Pranayama Class with Clarissa! Register online - class tab. I'll be there!

Peace Exchange 2012

Here it is! The Peace Exchange 2012 video! The Alluem Kids were so excited to receive the cards from children in Nepal. We are all so grateful to be a part of this ongoing project. Can't wait for next year!!

Alluem Kids Memorial Day

Remembering Memorial Day 2010 with the Alluem Kids! Remembering to take time this weekend to express our gratitude to all those brave hearts who laid down their lives to safeguard our nation. ♥

Look for Alluem Yoga in the Cranford Memorial Day Parade tomorrow!

Summer Session!

Registration for the Alluem Kids Summer Session is open! Register by June 1st!

www.alluemyoga.com -workshops tab

Open Your Heart

Recently, I asked the kids what it means to have an open heart. We do a lot of heart opening poses when we practice yoga (bridge, cobra, camel, wheel), but as the kids constantly hear me say, yoga is more than just the poses.
There are three ways to open our hearts:
1- Back-bending.
2- Surgery (as one of my more literal students told me).
3- Awareness.
When we have awareness of the world around us, our hearts open up. We become empathetic to those around us. We realize if we continue to help each other in even the smallest ways, there will be more peace in this world. We use yoga as a tool to find peace in our own bodies and when we do, we open our hearts and we are more able to share that peace with those around us. Kids are often surprised to find out how open their hearts are after a round of one of my favorite games - Cross the Line.
In Cross the Line, kids are lined up in 2 rows facing each other behind 2 lines of tape and are posed with a series of statements. If the statement is true about them, they simply Cross the Line. They look around at the others, connect, and then step back.
For example:
-Cross the line if you've ever donate your clothes, shoes or coats to those who need them once you grow out of them.
-Cross the line if you've ever planted a tree.
-Cross the line if you've ever drawn a picture or made a card to cheer someone up.
-Cross the line if you've ever helped clean up part of your neighborhood.
-Cross the line if you've ever donated a book to your library.
-Cross the line if you've ever held a door for someone.
-Cross the line if you've ever took part in a run or walk for charity.
-Cross the line if you've ever welcomed a new student to your school.
-Cross the line if you've ever taken care of a sick animal.
-Cross the line if you've ever seen a piece of garbage on the ground and thrown it out. 
-Cross the line if you've ever applauded someone for a job well done.
-Cross the line if you've ever said please or thank you.
-Cross the line if you've ever prepared food for a homeless shelter.
-Cross the line if you've ever had a lemonade stand or garage sale and donated the money.
-Cross the line if you've ever shared your toys.
-Cross the line if you've ever helped in anyway you can.
You'll see a lot of smiles after this game and even find children standing a little taller when they realize all these things that our parents encourage us to do everyday are actually helping to make a change in this world. You'll see even more smiles when you tell kids that by using their talents they can help change the world in a BIG way...

Abbie likes to cook. She's going to open a Soup Kitchen to feed the homeless.

 Emily is an artist. She's going to hold an Art Auction for Charity.

Mikayla loves dogs. She's going to start an Animal Rescue Shelter.

Victoria wants to do it all. She's going to open center that helps the world and everyone in it. 

When we learn to give from personal experience - from using not only our time, but also our talents - we find a sense of joy in our hearts. We build awareness of the world around us. We encourage others to look within themselves and do the same. Our hearts open up.

Partner Yoga Practice for Childbirth

Calling all Moms-to-Be! 

Check out this great workshop coming up with our amazing Prenatal teacher, Nicole Coons. 

Register online: www.alluemyoga.com - workshops tab