Off the Mat Kids Camp

Another amazing week of camp at Alluem Yoga!

This camp for 10-12 year olds is based on the Yoga in Action program through Off the Mat into the World (www.offthematintotheworld.org) - using yoga to inspire change and growth through awareness of the world around us, consciousness of what's going on inside of us, support of community - locally and globally. We take an inspirational look into how the little things in life - a smile, a kind word, a simple deed - can help change the world in a big way...encouraging the Alluem Kids to be strong in body, mind and heart!
I must say...this group of girls was absolutely AMAZING! The theme of the camp was being brave...brave in recognizing our strengths and our limits, brave in offering to support and positive communication to friends and family, brave in finding a sense of community and brave in opening our eyes to what is going on in the world.
The girls were even brave enough to show what they've got - their favorite yoga poses, best dance moves and shining personalities! Enjoy our music video (Sara Bareilles would be so proud)!!

My Dad, My Hero

"My dad is not a superhero. He cannot leap tall buildings in a single bound. He does not have super strength. He cannot see through walls. He cannot run faster than a speeding bullet. But there are lots of things he CAN do. My dad is super. My dad is my hero."
There are superheroes all around us. We don't need to look up in the sky or to the side of a building. We need to only look right in our own homes. There is no greater hero than a dad. Joseph Campbell once said that a hero is someone who has given his life and his heart to something bigger than himself. That is a dad - a dad who would do anything for his family, a dad who would be there to pick you up when you fall, a dad who would show you the way, a dad who would always back you up, a dad who would celebrate your accomplishments, a dad who would protect you from your fears, a dad who would believe in you before you ever even believed in yourself. This is a hero. This is my dad.
My dad collapsed on a hot summer day almost 4 years ago while helping a friend build a ramp and just like that our lives would change. He was rushed to the hospital where they found his white blood cell count was through the roof. I remember hearing the word Leukemia, but I don't think it sunk in immediately. It couldn't be true. My dad never appeared sick. My dad never complained. My dad took care of me and my brother and my mom every day. My dad went to work in the same hospital for 36 years, handling each one of the patients he x-rayed with care. My dad wasn't sick. But he was. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. The cancer was in his blood and in his bone marrow. Then his lymph nodes and eventually, his spinal cord and brain. The past 6 months have been spent in and out of hospitals with blood infections, clots, pneumonia...and finally he is home. Hospice.
I read the description...Haven Hospice provides medical, emotional, psychological and spiritual support for patients and families who are experiencing life threatening illness. Among the most comprehensive hospice programs in New Jersey, Haven provides services to patients in the comfort of their own home. The interdisciplinary hospice team is comprised of physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, counselors, volunteers and clergy. The team manages the patient's physical and spiritual pain, and offers instruction, guidance, and support to family members, significant others, and caregivers. 
My heart has never felt so heavy. The choice to do hospice is never an easy one, but the doctors all agreed it was time. His body just couldn't take anymore. He is happy to be home with family and visitors. He is comfortable and we are grateful for every day we have together. My dad is super. While he may not be able to leap tall buildings, I am happy when I can help him stand up. While he has lost almost all his muscle and about 60 pounds, his strength is still astounding. And while he may wear a hospital gown instead of a cape, he is still a superhero to me. I love you, Poppy-seed. Happy Father's Day. This year, I am grateful.

Boys Yoga: Ashtanga

The energy that comes out of a boys yoga class is amazing! Boys yoga can be loud! Boys yoga can be wild! Props can become weapons if you turn your back and when you see the smallest yogi in the class being dangled by his feet, "I was just helping him with his handstand!" is not an acceptable answer. Boys can also harness that energy and find focus when given the opportunity in a safe, nurturing, non-competitive environment. 
Introducing Ashtanga...introducing control without force...introducing discipline without yelling...introducing challenge without threat...introducing self-reflection without judgement. The boys in yesterday's class took to the Ashtanga practice like I've never seen before. Ashtanga, founded by K. Pattabhi Jois, is a set of 26 poses based on "99% practice and 1% theory." Improvement is shown in the body and the mind as you move through the same series week after week. It even becomes very meditative once the body's muscle memory kicks in and you know where to go. We started by watching a demo video of Ashtanga master David Swenson, doing some pretty extreme poses. The boys mouths were all agape and eyes were wide. We talked about how yes, some people are naturally flexible and can throw themselves into a pose with ease. But while they're there, their minds may start to lose focus and their minds may start to wander...what's for dinner? They need to stay centered and keep working to go even further. Then we talked about how the majority of the yoga world has to work towards achieving these poses, even David Swenson! They have to practice week after week to gain flexibility and strength. They have to remain focused in the pose to check in with their bodies to see if they can go further or if they need to ease up. They remain engaged in what they are doing to stay in the present moment. This is the practice of yoga.
After a couple rounds of Sun Salutations and a modified Ashtanga practice, the boys settled into a deep Savasana (final rest). No squirming, no giggling, no poking their neighbors. Just rest. I was so proud of them. They all stayed so focus, figuring out how to get into each pose, following breath instruction, not getting frustrated, but accepting where they were and challenging themselves to go further. This yoga is a practice. We don't know unless we try and we'll never get there unless we keep trying. Way to go, boys!!! Best class ever!!!

BONUS!: For the rest of the month, I will be covering the adult Ashtanga class. 

Come practice with me Tuesdays from 6-7:15pm!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all those awesome moms out there!!!
 

 
The Alluem Kids had a nice restorative class today (in hopes they would return home to their moms a little calmer...did it work?!? I try...)). While the little kids hand printed their way into their moms heart, the tweens prepared lavendar eye pillows for their moms...don't worry we tested them out to make sure they were good. And they were. Awesome.

Be Strong

When someone tells you to be strong, what do you think of?

Do you think of a strong body...exercising, eating healthy, drinking water, getting plenty of sleep?

Do you think of a strong mind...thinking positively, honoring your feelings, having confidence?

Do you think of a strong heart...being compassionate and kind, doing the things you love, standing up for what you believe in?

Being strong is all of these things, but most of all I think being strong is knowing yourself - body, mind and heart. And when you know yourself, you know your strengths, you know your limits. Part of being strong is knowing when to ask for help. It's good to recognize when things may be too big so you can ask for help from a family member, teacher, coach or someone you trust...someone you can draw strength from. 

Introducing the Tree of Strength:

Trees draw strength from the sun, the land, the water - all things that help them grow and stand strong. Think of yourself as a tree - your body is the trunk encasing your heart and holding your head up, your legs are the roots, your arms are the branches reaching up. 

What are the things you do to keep yourself strong? Is it doing yoga, playing sports, dancing, running, bike riding? Is it eating healthy foods and drinking plenty of water? Is it getting enough sleep or taking time to just sit and relax? Is it doing things you love like writing, drawing, reading, being creative?  Is it doing things that make you smile - being with friends, laughing, playing, singing, or just being silly? There are lots of ways to keep your body, mind, and heart strong! And often times it is the people in our lives who help keep us strong - mom, dad, grandparents, coaches, teachers, mentors. After all, we are all here to help each other!

Keep your tree handy. Hang it up! Often times we forget that we are capable of doing all sorts of things to stay strong or that we have so many people in our lives who are there for us. Knowing that  you are never alone, no matter what happens in life, will always make your heart smile! :)

And by request...

The Alluem Tween "Be Strong" Playlist:

- Stand Together - Hayley Reardon

- This is Me - Demi Lovato

-Stand By Me - Majors & Minors

- Brave - Sara Bereilles

- Sunshine & City Lights - Greyson Chance

- Shooting Stars - Owl City

- Live Like a Warrior - Matisyahu

- Living in the Moment - Jason Mraz

- Better Together - Jack Johnson

-The Climb - Hannah Montana

- Tribe - Hayley Reardon

Easter Yoga with the Alluem Kids!

Easter is a time of faith, hope and new life. It's a great time to go outside and see the world as it wakes up from a long winter nap  - the leaves starting grow on the trees, the flowers blooming, the warm spring breeze and the birds coming back to greet us with the morning sun. It's also a great time to notice a spring change in yourself....
-Start in Child's Pose - rounding your spine with arms alongside your body - shaped like an egg. It's tradition at Easter Time to decorate and dye eggs to make them festive and fun. Imagine yourself as a painted Easter Egg. What color would you pick? Would you have a fancy design? Stripes, spots, tye die? Would you have glitter, sparkles or glow in the dark? Or maybe your comfortable just being plain? (Have you walked down the Easter themed aisles in the supermarket recently? Glitter Magic, Sand Blast, Rockin' Designs, Neon and my favorite - 3D Eggsplosion! What happen the normal every day solid colors and a wax crayon?? Sure, these kits are fun, but where has simplicity gone?)
I find that often times we treat ourselves like Easter Eggs. We decorate ourselves with the latest clothes or latest hairstyles. Carrying around the latest iGadget into the pockets of the latest style of jeans. Maybe trying to be cool for our peers at school - trying to fit in and be accepted. We forget that sometimes we can be more comfortable just simply being who we are.
-As you sit in Child's, imagine trying to crack out of your shell - your shell representing what you try to be for other people, forgetting that's what's inside matters most. Take a few moments to connect to your breath. Your breath is the thing that grounds you, calming you inside. Gently start to breathe deeper, stretching your arms out in front of you, grounding your palms and as slowly as you can coming up to hands and knees. As you move through Cat n' Cow, recognize how good it feels to just be and move in the body you were given as it is, still connecting to your breath, the breath that is always constant.
-Continue to move into a practice that awakens the body getting you ready for Spring!

The Alluem Kids had a great time celebrating the season! 

What's Easter Yoga without Bunny Ears?!

While the Alluem Tweens hunted for eggs filled with Yoga Poses written on Jelly Bean Shaped Cards, which they later sequenced together for a nice flow that they proudly named and taught the class...

The Alluem Kids were climbing Easter Mountain, searching high and low for eggs filled with Yoga Poses...

...pausing only to mindfully listen during Egg Shake (a game modified from Yoga in My School's "Sounds Right" game) bringing focus and concentration in the midst of all this fun!

And speaking of all this fun, the Alluem Little Kids had nothing but fun trying out some Partner Bunny Poses...

And taking time to relax with our Breathing Buddies. Floating our Duck Bunnies on our bellies riding our breath. So peaceful.

Spring Break

Happy Spring Break!

 NO Alluem Kids Classes this week (3/25, 3/26, 3/27, 3/28, 3/31). There WILL however be Storytime Yoga this Thursday, 3/28. All are welcome! $5 drop-ins! 

In the meantime...enjoy some Yoga Bunny!