A Far Away Place

"If you've heard this story before, don't stop me because I'd like to hear it again." ~Groucho Marx.

So when was the last time you went to a far away place in your mind? When was the last time you heard, read or told a good story? I think that no matter how old we get, we still love to tell and hear stories, whether of actual places & events or not. Stories open our hearts, minds & souls. Stories tell a history, teach, inspire, & bring people & communities together.

I have always loved reading & writing stories. I would spend hours in my room reading the classics such as "Little Women", "Treasure Island" and  "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"; I loved the far away places Greek and Roman Mythology & Aesop's Fables; and would often create my own characters & illustrate and write different endings to the stories I read.

Sometimes a story is so good, we have to hear it again and again such as the stories of my son's childhoods that I tell my daughter (who is 15 years younger than they are). She loves to hear, over and over again stories of her brothers, her uncle, her dad and me when we were all little, especially when its stories about the times the boys (her brothers) got into trouble.

I became a storyteller myself when my sons were little, reading books & telling them stories because it was an inexpensive form of entertainment for us. As a young single mother I didn't have the resources to go on many vacations or to amusement parks, but we always had a park nearby and library cards. Many hours I would spend, outdoors or before bedtime reading & telling stories and doing character voices for my young sons. Dr. Seuss was a huge favorite as was "Little Critter", "Mr.Men" and anything about dinosaurs, cars or science.

When my oldest son, Mike was about 4, he could actually read some of those "Cat in The Hat"  books to his younger brother.  He would bring a pile of books and climb up on the couch and sigh  "Mike, I wish I could read!" It was so touching to watch them tell the story together-one reading it & one telling it from memory and both laughing & acting out the scenarios & voices as I had always done with them.

What I didn't realize 22 years ago was that this simple, inexpensive activity would be the foundation for all they would learn from that point on, social, cultural, academic and otherwise.

Its been widely known that reading to young children greatly contributes to literacy, academic success and emotional well being. The ancient art of storytelling can be utilized easily to engage the imagination, enhance learning and as a framework for many other skills and lessons, in many environments in & out of the classroom. For 10 years, I have used storytelling as the basis for yoga programs and as a way to engage the student fully in the movement & art activities.

Storytelling is a versatile tool, easily adaptable to all ages and all abilities. No special equipment is needed to create a story or an imagery-just an audience, a speaker & the imagination. As a learning tool, storytelling encourages students to explore appropriate ways to express themselves and improves communication of thoughts & feelings. The storytelling process can even be adapted to use pictures or sign language for children with limited language skills.

Through this unique medium, many skills are learned easily & in support of character development. Telling a personal story, and listening to others tell theirs helps define a child's individual and unique self-worth, and allows them to acknowledge & respect the worth of others without competition, over-compensation or prejudice.

Reading & storytelling allows children to "unplug" from all the electronics surrounding them & transport them to magical places & is a reminder that written & spoken words are powerful, that listening brings about  understanding, and that clear communication between all people is an essential art.

Folktales, mythology & other stories are a creative & non-threatening way to guide young people toward positive personal values by presenting hypothetical situations in which the results and consequences of both 'good' and 'bad' decisions can be observed. They can identify with the characters, their challenges & their actions through experiencing & becoming the story. These stories model creative problem solving, which is a vital life skill that can be applied in a variety of settings.

This skill is strengthened when the student is encouraged to write & tell their own wisdom stories-based on real or imaginary scenarios, and guided to 'paint pictures with their words'; incorporate visual art-in the form of illustrations, props, masks, puppets, mandalas, art journals, story sticks and more into the process. The lesson now becomes more 3 dimensional: expressive, personal & meaningful and hence, more integrated.

Storytelling also helps development of expressive & receptive vocabulary & verbal skills, cultural education & strong imagination. These skills can naturally be guided to develop into self-confidence & motivation as students learn to focus on & envision themselves competent & able to reach & obtain their goals & dreams.

In turn, a socially mature, emotionally strong, creative, confident child will be less likely to underachieve, judge others or to be taken in and overwhelmed by the massive epidemic of insecurity, competition, hatred & fear that seems to permeate & infect society. Confident and self-aware children are less likely to become a statistic: a victim of (or a participant in) bullying, depression, eating disorders, domestic violence, addictions, suicide and other forms of violent behavior.

The process also enhances communication, social skills, critical thinking & visual processing skills while developing motor control & brain integration making it a perfect activity for children with learning challenges. It also improves focus & reduces stress, making it a versatile, multi-sensory activity.

Movement & dramatic play can be paired along with storytelling to facilitate one of the most beneficial activities you can allow your child to engage in. Engaging in dramatic play during storytelling brings many elements of human nature together. It can reinforce simple lessons like problem solving, creativity & balance, allowing brain & body to work together, minimizing the stress response and allowing children to independently create something personally meaningful to them.

Reading, Story telling & the arts in many forms are usable tools that if introduced at an early age, can help children feel more safe, integrated, see more beauty and good in the world & provide an appropriate outlet to neutralize & overcome the disturbing social & environmental messages, situations & obstacles that they are exposed to daily.

We will be launching a new program called "Story Arts™"  in March during NEA's "Read Across America" week, an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.

The "Story Arts" Program will be an extension of our S.M.Art Kids Yoga® Programs-and will focus on social skills, language, literacy and character education. The program is mobile and will feature children's story telling, complete with a magical Travelling Treasure Trunk™  filled with costumes, props, puppets and other improvisation tools. As with all of our programs, its been designed to be adaptive & inclusive so all children of all abilities can participate. We are very excited to be in the position to offer this program to schools, learning centers, hospitals, art centers, camps, church groups and other organizations throughout PA & NJ.

It is never too early-or late- to begin reading with your child or introduce children to the art of storytelling and/or dramatic play-or to re-introduce yourself to the process and excitement of  "painting pictures with words" & discovering strange and wonderful lands & far away places with your child!

To find stories, books and more go to:



Barefoot Books-( Step Inside a Story)

Good Night Stories


NEA-Read Across America

Scholastic Book Clubs


 "Grab Your Hat-and Read with the Cat!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Got Nature?

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. ~John Burroughs

Human beings crave nature. From gardening, to walking barefoot in the sand or grass, to star gazing & hiking through mountains, so many have found solace in nature for centuries. Realizing & understanding that we are an essential part of this much larger environment supplies us with a sense of wonder, purpose and belonging.

Some of the most memorable and enjoyable times I can remember from my childhood were the ones where I spent them outdoors: on vacation with my family in the Poconos, hiking, gathering rocks, exploring caves & underwater lakes; at Niagara, Canada overlooking the incredible beauty & understanding the power of nature through the waterfall; at the beach in NJ & Florida, sculpting in the sand, gathering seashells and fishing; in my grandparents yard-filled with abundant vegetable gardens, stunning rose beds, delicious cherries and other fruit trees, catching & releasing fireflies in the summer evenings with my brother; and  in the creek behind my house, watching frogs & snakes, discovering strange plant life, examining bird nests and even accidentally disrupting an occasional beehive.

These experiences taught me boundaries, and creative problem solving-how to be alone with my thoughts & how to move, play, respect & care for nature. I am grateful for these times and still do my best to walk in the woods and climb the rocks near my home daily. Whenever I am feeling too "plugged in", out of balance and overwhelmed with Life, I retreat to the woods or to the beach. I have done my best to instill these experiences in my children & encourage all parents to do the same for theirs.

There is a strong body of research that tells us direct contact with nature improves mental health as well as psychological and spiritual health. A challenging climb over rocky terrain or a hike through mountains or desert, or turning over & weeding a garden can represent both a physical journey and a journey of self. Spending time by water or in nature's silence helps us find & connect with our own thoughts and feelings, giving us a sense of calm and inner peace. One of my favorite activities to do outside, with my students weather permitting, or alone as the morning sun rises over the hills, is yoga. In fact, just being outdoors with the kids to me is the ultimate yoga - an active, multi-sensory experience that cannot be duplicated in any passive activity, classroom, gym, office, living room or studio.

Stress reduction, coherence, belonging, improved self-confidence, self-discipline & a broader sense of environment are just a few of the positive benefits of playing, exercising, exploring, & moving in & through nature.

However, with a shortage of open spaces, extended work schedules, fear of "stranger-danger", limited outdoor playtime due to homework and after school programs, coupled with winter weather, a deteriorating environment and a culture of people preoccupied with technology, our American life is highlighted by a disconnect with the world around us caused by a deprivation of exposure to natural surroundings. There are many reasons to make a concentrated effort to make 'outdoors' a part of our every day life.

The top reason is Stress Reduction. More than 100 research studies have shown that regular exposure to outdoor activities & recreation reduces stress. By observing the ever-changing environments of nature, we can cultivate a positive attitude, renew energy, improve mindfulness and sensory awareness. In the words of renowned naturalist and essayist John Burroughs (1837-1921), "I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.

Natural spaces stimulate our imaginations, especially children's imaginations and creativity. Playing outdoors enhances sensory integration, cognitive flexibility, problem-solving ability, and self-discipline. In spite of these benefits, there was a decline of 50 percent in the number of children ages 9 to 12 who spent time doing outside activities like hiking, walking, and playing at the beach from 1997 to 2003.  A survey from Hofstra University revealed that while 70 percent of mothers reported playing outdoors every day when they were young, only 31 percent of their children do. Fifty-six percent of mothers reported that, when they were children, they stayed outside for three hours at a time or longer, compared with only 22 percent of their children currently.


For many children, quality playtime outdoors has been replaced by televisions and computers indoors. Sadly, many children under the ages of 7 spend an average of 2 hours a day with electronic media, and youth between the ages of 8 and 18 spend about of 6.5 hours a day with electronic media, totaling more than 45 hours a week.

Scientists & health care providers now recognize the therapeutic benefits of nature for treating conditions such as depression & attention disorders. In a UK study released in April 2007, a majority of people with mental health disorders reported that taking a "green walk" decreased their depression (71%), reduced their tension (50%), and increased their self-esteem (90%). Researchers at the University of Illinois have shown that the greener a child's everyday environment, the more manageable their symptoms of attention-deficit disorder.

In nature, we also learn that challenge is actually the opportunity to improve oneself, develop an inner focus & sense of control, and build confidence. We learn to trust our innate ability to overcome both expected and unexpected obstacles and to appreciate that things work out even if we aren't in complete control. We learn to cope with whatever comes our way, which in turn builds confidence, self-reliance and achievement. For this reason, many parents are choosing wilderness camps and other similar programs to help their troubled teens.

Adolescence, is a volatile period of self-discovery. For some who may exhibit opposition/defiance, experimentation, poor school performance, drug/alcohol abuse & other at-risk behaviors, its an ideal time to discover the lessons in nature. When a teen is placed in a wilderness experience, they leave their family, their familiar community and environment and roles they have adopted, to try out new roles & learn & apply new skills. This allows a chance to develop a new self-image, a new way of relating to others and new ways to respond to the challenges of daily life.

Getting kids outside increases their exposure to sun & natural production of vitamin D which is vital for growth & development. We receive almost 90% of our vitamin D from the sun as it is nearly impossible to get an adequate amount from food and vitamins alone.

Vitamin D helps us absorb protein associated with regulating blood pressure, utilize calcium for bone development, control digestive function, neuro- muscular and immune function, and reduction of inflammation. Strong evidence also indicates that vitamin D plays a role in the prevention of some forms of cancer, diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, multiple sclerosis and many other medical conditions.

Studies show that nature even in small & simple forms, such as a small fish tank or bowl, a plant on the desk at work or trees in front of an apartment window have significant benefits to help reduce stress, improve outlook, enhance coping skills, spark creativity and develop self-discipline.

Although quality time in nature may be a challenge to arrange, the numerous benefits overwhelmingly compel us to try harder to make the time. We are not here to passively watch or merely connect to nature, we are nature.  We belong there.

Got Nature? I encourage you to get some now.

Fore more information on School, camp & Family Spring & Summer Outdoor Yoga programs please contact us:  barbara@bodylogique.com



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Helping Children Cope With Anxiety

For those of you who know me, you will probably agree that a good majority of the work I do is based on positive, empowering movement art & imagery. I'm going to do something a little different today in the interest of education, so bear with me.

In today's imagery you are going to imagine for a moment that today, your workday is full of confusion, frustration & failure. Imagine that no matter how hard you try, you fail at almost every task you attempt; that your co-workers misunderstand, tease or ignore you and don't help or support you; your superiors are impatient, irate and mistreat you. Imagine that you feel like you don't fit in and the deep sadness, humiliation, and isolation you would feel. No doubt, it would be nearly impossible to maintain a happy outlook, positive self image or a cooperative attitude in this type of environment.

Let's further imagine that you have a similar experience in the cafeteria, in the train or carpool commute, and then all over again at home interacting with your family. Surely you would eventually respond by becoming moody, withdrawn, depressed, uncommunicative or even combative.

This is how it feels to live a typical day in the life of a child with cognitive, sensory or social challenges.

You can choose to stop the imagery now, but for a child with these challenges the imagery continues. A child goes to school for a living for 6 hours a day or sometimes more if you add in before and after school care. Its his or her  'job'. This job is a very difficult one. He is often unable to leave the day behind him when he gets home because the same behavior patterns & reactions repeat there too.

Children with these challenges are highly susceptible & reactive to stress & experience serious emotional effects to this cycle of school & social failure. They become fearful of & react abnormally to  typical everyday situations. They respond with fear & worry, more accurately called anxiety and it can complicate the lives and compromise the well being of so many children with learning challenges.

There is sometimes a misunderstanding between the definitions of anxiety & depression: depression is worrying about the past; anxiety is worrying about the future.These "what if..." obsessions with future events may be real, perceived or imagined, but the effect on the child is just as paralyzing especially during times of upheaval or transition. It causes extreme difficulty with the child's ability to concentrate and interact appropriately. It affects the child's ability to cope & in some cases, it results in chronic irritability.

Authority conflicts are common with children suffering from anxiety. This makes complete sense when you consider that the child is fearful of any changes in his environment and doubts his or her own ability to handle the transitions effectively. We call the resulting behaviors defiant, avoidant, argumentative, stubborn, rebellious, etc. however, it is important to remember that the child is not behaving out of rebelliousness or oppositional behavior, but out of genuine fear. The behavior is his best strategy for coping with the anxiety he is feeling at that moment.

The effects of anxiety in children can be grossly underestimated. We casually refer to these children as "high strung" or as "old souls". We often minimize anxiety by telling them to "stop worrying", as if they really had the power to stop instantly just because we say so. Be careful to not belittle or ridicule the anxiety. The fears are very real to the child and should always be taken seriously. Science tells us that anxiety has both a physical and a psychological cause. It is of no use to punish anxious behaviors just as it is no use to punish a child who has a fever. It is vitally important to remember this when working with children experiencing anxiety. They do not know why they are anxious or where it is coming from They cannot help themselves. Parents, teachers, therapists need to compassionately & actively teach usable coping strategies & guide them through how and when to use them!

There are many different types of anxiety disorders and many ways to treat them. Some involve medications and some do not. (Parent's should consult with the child's psychologist & pediatrician regarding use of medication.)

It is a widely accepted practice to have the child engage in pillow punching or some other unstructured physical activity to relieve stress and anxiety, however many experts will discourage this. These practices have no point and do little to release anxiety and can actually increase the tension level. Rather, have the child engage in an activity that has a specific beginning, ending with definable & measurable goals. (Example: take 10 deep breaths; shoot 12 baskets; run 5 times around the back yard, etc)

Below are some simple (non-medical) yoga based techniques that will help a child cope with anxiety. While these techniques do not replace  professional diagnosis and treatment, they will offer some tools for parents & teachers as well as reassurance & relief for the anxious child.

1-Design a positive, reassuring  & affirming word or phrase, (in yoga we call this a "mantra" ) to use during periods of anxiety that will comfort & reduce fear. (Example: "Things are getting better all the time", "Breathe" or "My body is calm/safe". )

2- Practice Deep Breathing. Deep breathing brings oxygen rich blood to the brain and improves focus. It also has a grounding, calming effect on the central nervous system if done correctly. I often use a "Breathing Ball" (pictured at left) to illustrate this and to give a point of focus. This ball expands to show is how our body is taking in air and collapses back again to send out air. To learn the technique, click here.

3- Movement & exercise can be a physical, fun & enjoyable way to release tension. A game of tag, soccer, a hike or riding a bicycle will relax the muscles and release endorphins (a neurochemical that has a tranquilizing effect) into the body. If it is not possible to go outdoors, then try the "Sun Stretch" which can be done anywhere indoors or out.

4- Squeezing Lemons is a fun exercise/imagery that I use that is also a progressive muscle relaxation technique. Start by holding an imaginary lemon in your open hand-(sometimes I have the children hold a pink lemon in one hand and a yellow lemon in the other-to make both kids of lemonade.) Now squeeze the lemons (into an imaginary glass) with your hands and get all the juice out. Next squeeze those lemons with your elbows (by placing it in your elbow and bending your arm.) Next squeeze with your armpits. (by now the children will probably be saying "Ewwwww" or giggling, which is also a way to release anxiety/tension.) Continue squeezing lemons with knees, toes, chin, chest, shoulders, back & face.

5- Practice Enhanced Focus. It is a common understanding that focus can be enhanced by allowing your mind to "go blank". However, the purpose of our mind is to think-so its very confusing and hard even for the most disciplined person to "go blank" and think of nothing. A better approach is to focus intensely on one simple object or image. (This is referred to in Yoga as "meditation" ) Children can do this with a little bit of guidance and maybe a photo or picture of a flower, and animal or a relaxing scene from a magazine to focus on. Focus can also be enhanced by a repetitive activity such as zipping and unzipping a pencil case, doing a maze puzzle, or drawing circles, numbers or "Sleepy 8s" on a piece of paper.

Try this activity for decreased anxiety right before a stress producing event such as a test or a doctor's appointment: Find 2 items or surfaces of different textures such as the car seat and a notebook cover. Place on hand on one surface, and the other hand on the other. With your fingertips make circular motions on both surfaces at the same time. You can switch hands and do the exercise again for a few minutes.

Anxious children respond well to reinforcement & praise. Be sure to tell them how proud you are when they are brave in the face of anxiety. (Example: "I know how that you were nervous about going to the doctor, and I am so proud of the way you handled it! )  Reinforced behavior will be repeated and the child will gradually gain confidence in themselves as they are learning to handle new situations.

Above all, remember to communicate the child's needs and strategies with the rest of the child's support system: family members, babysitters & caretakers, teachers, instructional assistants, bus drivers, therapists, etc. The more that we are all involved, compassionate and consistent with our interventions, the better it will support and empower the child coping with anxiety.






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Celebrate Love

Dear Parents & other Educators,

My grandmother Helen used to say, (as my mother told me) that you cannot hate a quality in another person without also hating that quality in yourself. We tend to see the differences, flaws & imperfections in others so clearly sometimes, and yet are blind to our own flaws.  In contrast, some find & focus on the flaws in themselves to the point where they feel they have no purpose or value in Life, when the truth is, everyone has value & purpose regardless of their abilities or dis-abilities.

This month is the month we celebrate Love. The Buddhists teach us of 5 kinds of Love: love for a family member, love for a spouse, love for someone  who is hurting, love for ourselves and love for those we don't know. The general themes in all of my children's Yoga classes this month revolve around some form of love; kindness, friendship, compassion, empathy, understanding, inclusion, etc.

I emphasize to the students that there is something unique and special to love in each of us even though it may be a challenge to find those positive qualities in some. We all have different abilities and all are important in the whole picture of Life. We can improve most interactions by first, learning to love ourselves as we are-flawed and imperfect- and second by recognizing that others are flawed & imperfect too, and that is exactly what makes us so beautiful.

By focusing instead on our strengths- and the power of friendship, love & compassion & the way we react, respond & navigate through friendships & relationships with others, we can still care for & send compassion to all people, even though we don't understand, accept or agree with the way they look, speak and act towards us or others.

Its important to note that along with compassion for the flaws in others, its more important to teach our children how to embrace and love the flaws in themselves and work on using their gifts and talents. This is learned best by following our example. If you show love, patience and compasion towards yourself, & your child, your child will learn to do this too.

Our perceived flaws are just that-perceptions. They represent personal challenges & a way to learn about & understand the people & the world around us. Practicing compassion for ourselves & others can give us new insight, new skills and a new appreciation for our flaws as well as our talents.

I strongly encourage you to guide your children to identify the unique qualities they possess and how they can use that talent to help themselves & the people around them. A notebook or journal or even a vision board is a great way to help create focus around this idea.

Take 15 minutes each day this month-whether at dinnertime, before school or before bed, to talk about using our kindness & talents well & encouraging others to do the same. No child-or adult- is too young-nor too old-to begin learning this important practice.

Our story, activity & pose themes this month will reflect the qualities of love, compassion & kindness towards ourselves & others.

Our story of the month,  "The Cracked Pot" is an ancient tale from India and holds so many messages for children and adults alike about kindness & compassion.

This beautiful story speaks to all of us-children & adults of all abilities.

We hope you & your child enjoy it as well!



~Barbara