Since You Asked

Photo: pickthebrain.com

Several of you have asked me recently about what I've been up to, if I am teaching any classes or workshops and a few other fact-finding questions, so I've decided that today's blog post will focus on responding to your queries.

First, I want to acknowledge that I have the best network of people around me-on and off-line: students, families, collaborators, mentors, friends, family & others who have been supportive &  helpful to me on so many levels, both personally & professionally. Thank you all for the opportunity to work & learn with you.

Secondly, my health is fine, (don't know how that rumor got started, but its absolutely false!) I'm not in hiding and no, I have not run away to join the circus. (clowns and knife throwers scare me!)

The group class schedule has temporarily lightened because I am dedicating more time to work with schools and therapy practices providing adaptive yoga education & training, and planning & developing several new projects that I am really excited about! (I was going to save this until they were completed but since you asked, I will share and give you a small preview:)

• 2 (Brand New ) S.M.Art Stories™ Curriculum's (Science & Nature Series) are in the final edit (Sun Stretch & Star Quest) will be released in April. A S.M.Art Stories™ Social Series is in the end planning phase.
• S.M.Art Cards™ - the newest in our product line. A smaller more portable set of posture sequence cards that can be used as a visual prompt for movement or self-calming techniques. Prototypes have gotten great reviews! (Thank you to my testers for your help and honest feedback!) These cards have one major difference from regular card sets & you will have to wait until they are released to see what the difference is!
• S.M.Art Kids® Professional Forum: Is up and running! We have 60 members and are growing daily! This is a place for professionals & parents to share tips and techniques for helping with children with autism & other adaptive needs. (Also for anyone who wants to learn yoga-based techniques appropriate for classroom or therapy room.) If you have not joined yet and would like to be a part of this great community,  please e-mail me: barbara@bodylogique.com  with your request and I will send you a personal invitation.
• BodyLogique Monthly News Bulletin:  Our first issue was for March, 2012. Receive news, updates, articles & tips every month. To request a subscription, please use this link and then fill in the "Subscribe by E-Mail" box in the left hand column.
• S.M.Art Kids® Outside: Our program promoting outdoor play and environmental education. We are happy to be partnering with Project Wild to help bring this nature-based program to the community.
• Sensory Fit™ - Our individualized yoga programming is getting a makeover. We are making improvements to the way we assess and develop our customized programming. More information to follow.
• Webinar Series: We are developing our online learning library and looking into webinar production to reach more educators worldwide. (Our next webinar is with the dynamic Donna Freeman from Yoga In My School on April 12, 2012. View webinar information & register here.)



My daughter is who I want to be
when I grow up!

• S.M.Art Kids-The Book: This rumor is true! There is a forthcoming book, (untitled as of yet). This is the project that I am most excited about! I am in the process of shopping for publishers. I will keep you informed as this project comes to completion.

Incidentally, that is my daughter's picture (at right)  you see in all of the curriculum's, training manual and photo cards (and in the upcoming webinar) I would not be able to do any of this without her energy, humor and inspiration!  She is a tremendous help-very creative & loves helping me with the manuals & art projects. She has been going with me to summer camps and classes to help mentor & support the kids who need it, for the last 5 years, but there are times during the week when my work keeps me away from her. I have adjusted my schedule better not just so I can work on more projects, but so that I can spend more quality time with her, as she steps into her teen years. She has given me some great ideas for  a kids casual clothing line, games and a program for girls that I hope to be working on by the fall of 2012.


My hope is that as each of these projects is implemented, it will expand our work & help bring quality adaptive programming to so many more children across the country. This is the vision and mission that you are all helping me bring into reality.

Please contact me for more information on these projects, program consulting or any of our other services: barbara@bodylogique.com






.

Peace Mandala & Om Schooled, Part ll...

I have been away from the blog for a while.This is a good thing as I have been working with many children, teaching them Yoga techniques, art, etc.  There are some photos from a local Youth Peace Summit I participated in at 'Greenshire Arts Consortium'  in Quakertown, PA. We created a community 'Peace Mandala' made from rice. This technique was introduced to me by my dear friend Ritu who designs and creates the most beautiful Mandalas, and Indian Rangoli & Batik art I have ever seen! Pictured at left is the completed piece. (to see photos of the piece in progress you can click this link to:  BodyLogique on Facebook

I also had the pleasure of conducting Yoga classes for 80 enthusiastic Girl Scouts, ages 5-16 last Saturday, at Camp Green Lane, also near Quakertown, PA. The photo shows the girls resting, like peaceful starfish, safe and quiet at the bottom of the ocean....( a common but well loved theme in my classes for kids AND adults!!)

I also have been continuing the 'Creative Movement  Project' (Adaptive Yoga) in the autism support class at the Perkiomen Valley School. The students are now "in training" for a Special Olympics event a t a local High School this month. Yoga is taking on a special meaning for them, because now I have had an opportunity & have been able to show them how Yoga works to help them practice for their events. Each athlete has been choosing their own Yoga sets -about 5-6 a week from a list of 20 that they have learned since October. I have shown them breathing  techniques for releasing stress, for increasing Power, and for calming. They have also learned Imagery techniques that help them imagine themselves  completing their event, solving a problem or resting quietly and calmly, (like Starfish at the bottom of the ocean...) Partner poses and interactive games are a favorite, emphasising social skills, working together and of course, that learning is so much fun! They have all made great progress in understanding and applying these methods and I am so proud of them!

I have to say my proudest moment was today, when one of the young men, (who is non-verbal and uses a special electronic box to communicate ) without prompting or warning walked up to me before class today, looked me directly in the eye, smiled and gave me a "high 5" !! Then, he walked over to his mat and sat down.  Moments like this is exactly why I teach. The boys rested this afternoon after yoga for a total of 10 minutes, breathing quietly, without a sound or a word! Way to go guys! Keep up the fantastic work! Namaste!

I will be doing a special and expanded 4 week ESY class for this class in July. Looking forward to using some art techniques and to some outdoor yoga! Stay tuned for updates!

I want to thank Lisa Mitchell for referring us to this school, the staff, the OT, and Mr. Hoffner for their support in working with the boys and the 'Perkiomen Vally School Foundation', for awarding us the grant that made this all possible & for having so much enthusiasm about this program! With the help of Mr. Hoffner and Kathy, the dedicated OT, I hope to be able to expand this Adaptive Yoga Program in the fall and offer it to more young men and women in the district, as well as add a class for teachers & staff.

And finally, I have been asked several times in the past few months if I still do children's parties. So, after realizing how much I miss it, and after a bit of planning, I have decided to offer them again on a limited basis for now. The website is in progress but is up, so you can view it here: "Parti-Gini Creative Parties for Kids!"

For a full schedule of workshops, events & classes please visit  BodyLogique Creative Fitness.

Until next time,
Love & Laughter

Barbara

Read More about the Creative Movement Project Here




.

"Sun Salutations": What exactly is it ?

"Sun Salutations" is a Yoga Based exercise that combines Movement, Breath, Sun Bathing (if done outside!) and Respiratory cleansing.

The series of 12 postures are performed in a single, graceful flow. Each movement is coordinated with the breath. (Inhaling as you stretch, and exhaling as you fold or contract.)

The Sun Salutation builds strength and increases flexibility. Different styles of yoga perform the Sun Saluation with their own variations. A single round is equal to two complete sequences: one for the right side of the body and the other for the left.


Some of the benefits of "Sun Salutations" are:

- It minimizes disorders of the skin

- Strengthens & tones internal organs

- Helps restore flexibility & balance

- Enhances agility, endurance and coordination.

- Corrects old or acquired habits of improper breathing.

- Exercises the legs & arms, enhancing circulation.

- Loosens, stretches & warms up almost all joints and internal organs of the body, reducing risk of injuries.

- Stimulates, restores & balances all the systems of the body ( including the endocrine, circulatory, reproductive & digestive systems.)

- It is one of the best ways to burn calories and reduce weight WITHOUT any cumbersome or expensive equipment & is often recommended in treating obesity and depression.

For kids, especially children with autism, dyslexia and other Sensory processing issues, it can be a fun, simple, grounding activity that will help move & exercise every area of the body, as well as help integrate all the senses.


Just 10-20 minutes a day of "Sun Salutations" (5-10 minutes for kids) along with basic natural movements such as dancing, walking, running, jumping etc, will be more than sufficient to aid in muscle toning, flexibility and stress management.

On days when you think you have no time for exercise, try and do at least one or two rounds of the Sun Salutation. You'll feel the difference.


Sun Salutations ( for Adults) : 


"Sun Stretch" (Modified Sun Salutations for Kids):


For customized yoga -based movement sets for children, contact : barbara@bodylogique.com




.