Refresh Everything!

Everybody has a cause-something they are sincerely passionate about. Something personal that moves them to action, whether it be recycling, animal cruelty, education, etc.

So what is your passion? Art? Dance? The environment? What do you really care about? Education or Health reform? If you had the chance, how would you want to change the world? Maybe you are a teacher or a coach-mother-or an everyday Joe or Jane.  Regardless of who you are, what your passion  is, or even if you are looking for work right now, I can tell you that you CAN make a big difference in your community and your world.

Pepsi is giving people a chance to make a difference by giving away millions of dollars in grants each month to fund great ideas that will refresh individuals and communities everywhere as part of its 'Refresh Everything Project' campaign.

There are 1,000 submissions accepted electronically on a first come first serve basis each month in 5 different categories. There are 4 levels of grant awards ranging from $5,000 up to $250,000. Once a project is accepted, then the grants are awarded by community votes. A total of 10 grants are awarded  by most votes in each category.

I am very excited to announce that after 4 months of submitting my idea, my Refresh Project, The Creative Movement Project  (Which will bring low cost/free Adaptive Yoga & Creative Movement Classes to Children with Special needs)  has been accepted for the August round of voting that starts in just 2 short weeks!

My project was first conceived a few years ago when I worked in NJ as a classroom assistant and 1:1 aide to children with autism. I had always worked with children in some capacity & had done this specific work for several years under a very compassionate & talented teacher and a great team of 1:1 aides and found that this was my passion. 

As much as I love my work I have always had an inner sense that we could do so much more for the kids and the families. I started playing yoga based movement games- (something I had been certified for and never used regularly) during therapy sessions to break it up a bit and saw that it seemed to help the kids handle tension and to focus better, but most of all, they were laughing!

I kept using these techniques and even consulted with OT's, yoga teachers and other educators to refine my games. I did this right up until I moved out of the district to Bucks County PA where I now live. When I left NJ, I decided that I wanted to provide adaptive Yoga classes as an enrichment activity to families and schools in the community. I have been able to do that for the last 2 years in PA, and my Pepsi project will expand this work to include all children of all abilities, in PA, NJ and surrounding areas, especially those who are limited by financial restrictions. It will also provide equipment & training programs for parents and teachers so that they can use this program to help their children & students stay physically healthy, develop friendships and learn while reaching their highest potential.

While I was in the process of submitting my idea, I was fortunate enough to meet 2 amazing & passionate people I'd like to tell you about. These are my "Pepsi Refresh Partners" and we are three separate projects supporting each other through August's round of voting. Their stories are below and I encourage you to read more about them by clicking on  the links!

Multiple Sclerosis Dreams:

David M. Serotko is the founder of Multiple Sclerosis Dreams, Inc. (www.msdreams.org)  In late August 2006 he was preparing to complete his Associates Degree. A few days before school was to begin, he started to feel very off balance & suspected an ear infection. His toes were tingling and almost numb. Although an initial visit to the doctor turned up 'normal", the symptoms worsened into severe dizziness & nausea. David contacted his doctor with grave concern & was given an MRI. It was confirmed in September that he had MS.

Within a few weeks he fortunately improved to a point that was better, although he still had the "MS hug" and trouble with balance. Through it all he was able to complete his degree, in David's words: " At the time I owned my own computer consulting business and lost several clients because I could not service them due to my illness. At that moment, I realized that life can change in an instant &  that things I wanted to do later in life may not be a possibility. It was the hardest thing I had ever been through."

After several moves and experiencing layoffs & job discrimination, he and his wife made two trips to Maui and lived life to its fullest. He flew in a helicopter for the first time, drove up a volcano & hiked around it, met some wonderful people, "and had the time of our lives..." .

"The reason I founded this organization is that I want everyone with Multiple Sclerosis to be able to fulfill their dreams. I was fortunate to be able to do many things and want the same for others in my boat. Whether we enable you to do something you have always wanted, or give you hope that things can happen for you, we will make a difference. No one should have to live their life feeling like a disease will keep them from fulfilling their dreams. I am not going to accept this, and neither should you. Together, we will make dreams come true for people with Multiple Sclerosis!
David's "Multiple Sclerosis Dreams" project will help those dreams come true for so many!


Kris Courtney: The REAL Color of America:

American Artist & Author Kris Allen Courtney, drawn to benevolence and disability awareness by his own personal experience, from his struggle as a child born into years of surgical intervention, (being in a body cast at only 3 days old)  to an ensuing lifelong continuous health struggle, has created ‘The REAL COLOR of America’ Project. Through this project, he is dedicated to service and participation for all beyond their disabilities. Kris’ art is bold and thoughtful in its message to the viewer and invites you to pause. This energy opens Kris to the strife and parallel beauty of the real color of life surrounding us all.

"The "REAL Color" project is designed to use art to bring a spot-light awareness to cities and towns across the country in need of inclusion. Through the travels across America, this project will create a unique abstract map of the cities and communities visited as well as the people of all abilities who participate."  Kris creatively uses open plein air creations coordinated with Local Fund Raising Organizations geared towards poverty reduction, food, special needs and disabilities, to create a beautiful medium for a truly inclusive American Art Exhibit. A gallery has generously offered to house the completed pieces.

Kris's book, "Norma Jean's Sun"  is painfully reflective yet ultimately hopeful. A story told through the eyes of a boy who believes he has been mistakenly born into the world and a man who conquers physical and emotional injustice--and thrives. The memoir  reveals not only the struggle and heartrending elements of generational lives “gone wrong,” but also the love and growth of a human being overcoming the odds and determined to find a way to live life to the fullest.

Kris's "REAL Color" project will allow many others to do the same.


From August 1- 31, I am asking you to please go to the Pepsi website and vote everyday for these 3 "Pepsi Refresh" projects that will impact so many individuals and communities in a positive way. It only takes a moment of your time. You can go to the Pepsi website for more details, and you can even sign up to get e-mail voting reminders here.

These 3 projects can also be followed on Facebook and Twitter. We will be posting updates on our respective project progress so please check back for any developing news!
Thank you for your passion & your support! We know that together, we can refresh communities everywhere by including everyone & helping all people make their Dreams come true!

Love & Laughter
~Barbara

www.bodylogique.com

BodyLogique on Facebook

BodyLogique on Twitter

The Creative Movement Project


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Going Barefoot

Go Barefoot!

There was a time when walking around barefoot was frowned upon as immodest and indecent. In fact, merely watching someone walking without his/her shoes, or at least slippers, was bound to create an uproar. This is no longer the case and in fact, there is an actual society, called 'Society of Barefoot', dedicated to the pursuit (you guessed it..) of walking barefoot.

No matter how well made a shoe or sneaker is, none can compare with the freedom & comfort derived from bare foot walking. The first thing I do when I come home from work is kick off my shoes. In fact, those who walk in the house with their shoes on encounter more aches and pains in the body, as compared to the people who indulge in barefoot walking.

A 2006 study found that shoes may actually increase stresses on the knee and ankle, and suggested that adults with osteoarthritis may benefit from walking barefoot. A 1991 review article found that barefoot walking supported optimum foot development, and the best use of shoes are to protect the foot from injury rather than for correction of problems.

Some doctors believe shoes are very damaging to children's feet. A 1992 study found that children who wore shoes all the time were three times more likely to have flat feet than those who did not, and suggested that wearing shoes in early childhood can be detrimental to the longitudinal arch of the foot.  


In general, people who have went barefoot in their childhood have fewer problems with their feet such as deformities, agility & flexibility, as well as their posture, then those who wore slippers, sandals or shoes.


Barefoot walking helps align the toes & strengthen the weaker muscles of the feet and ankles.We are learning with the advancement of scientific and medical knowledge that walking barefoot has several benefits:

• It helps the leg muscles pump blood back to the heart & may be beneficial for varicose veins.
• It helps relax tense, constricted & tired feet.
• Strengthens and improves flat feet
• Improves circulation & can have a cooling effect on the body, (especially if walking on wet grass.)
• Sensory (tactile) there are 5,000 nerve endings in the bottom of each foot to help us "feel" grounded
• Bare feet sensing the surface walked on  helps us think clearly and increases ourcapacity to focus.

In movement arts such as dance, yoga, tai-chi and other martial arts, it is believed that being barefoot helps a person absorb 'Chi', or the life-force energy from the earth and form a deeper connection with their inner & outer environments.

While there are several benefits, there must be awareness about how to safely go barefoot. Foot problems that can result from walking barefoot include cuts, abrasions, bruises, puncture wounds (from broken glass and other foreign objects,) Poisonous plants, animals, or parasites (can infect the body through the cuts on an injured foot.) Proper footwear is needed to protect the feet from these things when walking in unfamiliar areas or where injury can occur.


In addition, individuals with diabetes or other conditions which affect the sensory ability of the feet are at greater risk of injury while barefoot. In this case, extreme caution should be shown when going barefoot.

An alternative is to wear thin shoes with minimal padding such as moccasins, which results in a similar effect to going barefoot, but will still protect the tender skin and underlying tissues of the foot.

Below are a few simple exercises you and your child can do, (along with wearing proper shoes when out and going barefoot when you can,) to help relieve foot tension, strengthen muscles and improve tactile senses:


TOE STRENGTHENERS:

Toe strengtheners can increase flexibility, muscle tone and control of the toes. From standing, bring the big toe up and press the four little toes down. Draw the four little toes up while pressing the big toe down. Draw the big toe and baby toe up as you press the three middle toes down,etc. Singling out each toe to move individually will be challenging as well as frustrating. (You can start this one by sitting in a chair and using your fingers to "coach" & coax the toes where you want them before you try and move them individually).

FINGERS BETWEEN TOES:

From a seated position, interlace your fingers between your toes. (if you can't do all of them start with 2-3 at a time and work your way up to interlace all.) This stretches the muscles of the toes and allows them to spread. This action can be very challenging for some people due to foot problems & confining shoes. Be patient and work a little at a time. Eventually your flexibility will improve.


TENNIS BALL ROLLS: (My favorite)

Roll the entire sole of the foot on a tennis ball (or a spikey ball shown at right). This helps to warm up the feet as well as breaking up any tension being held in the feet. This exercise also accesses many important pressure points on the sole of the foot. The gentle pressure on the muscles and connective tissue can relieve tension and regain fluidity. Do for several minutes each side, several times a day. (While sitting at your desk at work or on the computer is a perfect time to try this!)



PICK UP MARBLES/COTTON BALLS WITH TOES:
(I do this with the kids-we call it "Toe-Ga"!)

By using your toes to pick up marbles, cotton or other small objects it not only strengthens the foot muscles but also promotes the use of using toes as individual entities as opposed to a group. This improves overall circulation & functioning of the foot.

Many yoga poses will also help strengthen the feet, toes and ankles- and improve overall posture: all of the standing & leg balance postures, as well as Downward Dog, Hero's Pose and Chataranga to name a few.
 


For more information on how yoga and movement arts can help you and your child improve health and build Strength, Character & Confidence, please *visit us at:
www.BodyLogique.com 

 
*Also on Facebook and Twitter


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Yoga: Fit for a Princess

“I don't go by the rule book...I lead from the heart, not the head.”

                                                                            ~Princess Diana
                                                                                   

I had the pleasure yesterday of being invited to teach yoga to a group of young ladies at  "Princess Camp" sponsored by  Serenity Health & Fitness/ Juli Kell's Dance Zone. 

Serenity's Princess camp is designed for ages 3-6, and includes dance, (facilitated by Juli Kell) music, art, games & yoga fit for a Princess! I had planned a story, yoga, games & art!  What a wonderful day we all had!

We began with the question of what is so cool about being a Princess? The answers I got were awesome: 'You get to wear pretty clothes",  "You can ride in a carriage", "You can stay up as late as you want", and "You get to help people". We talked about the many ways we can help other people and all of the ways for us to help ourselves too by staying healthy and taking car of our bodies. This was a perfect opportunity not only to teach compassion, but also self care &  self reliance along with Strength, Character & Confidence!

I led these beautiful "Princesses in Training" through a Princess warm up: We pantomimed the actions of putting on stockings and "glass slippers" (and ballet shoes); then we put on our ball gowns & helped each other "zip up" in the back of the gowns-(this brought squeals of laughter from each one of them, and became a brief  tickle fest). We 'put on' gloves, earrings, lipstick and sparkly crowns. (The crowns were real.) We even 'brushed our teeth' and talked about healthy foods and snacks. I told them that a Princess needed to be strong and healthy and take care of herself so that she could be able to help others.

Then we practiced the all important Princess waving-back and forth, left to right , with just fingers, just hands and out whole arms. (We even practiced waving with our feet.)

With our body's warmed up, we then did a posture & breathing exercise-breathing in & reaching up to the stars-grabbing one out of the sky-and reaching down to place it the ground while breathing out.

Then our yoga story began. It was not a story about any princess they would be familiar with at their young ages. It was the story of the beautiful & great huntress and athlete, Atalanta. Originally a Character from Greek Mythology, this story came to life as re-told by children's author  Betty Miles in "Free To Be You and Me". 

The re-told story has a beautiful message of inspiring a sense of self, and breaking free of stereotypes. As I told the girls an age appropriate version of this story, and as we practiced yoga movements along with the story, they lit up and began sharing little parts of themselves and the things they like to do.

We played a movement game, similar to "Red Light Green Light" called "One Two Three Princess Crowns for Me" In which they had to sneak up on me and "capture" my crown. It was actually a game designed to focus attention and to enhance auditory processing. They were so cooperative with each other-taking turns,giggling the whole time,  making sure everyone had a turn and working together to help the more shy players along &  then finally teaming up to "overthrow" me!

Our story ended with quiet music, relaxation, and with each Princess selecting a beautiful Rainbow Star to make a wish: one for themselves and one for another person.


The Princess Camp then went on to include art, a Princess lunch and other fun activities, fit for a princess! To learn more about Serenity Health & Fitness or Juli Kell's Dance Zone, click here.

To learn more about creative movement or to book children's classes by BodyLogique for your camp program please contact Barbara:

Barbara@bodylogique.com

Finding Balance

I woke up this morning to beautiful sounds: the raindrops falling softly on the tin awning & the soft rumble of thunder in the distance. Beautiful rain! This region needed this temporary reprieve from the recent drought so badly.

As I sat on my patio last night with my family, we realized how out of balance nature is right now. The night was silent. There were no chirping crickets, no symphony of tree frogs, and no mosquitoes biting my feet. There has been no rain to sustain them.

Balance. Mother Nature depends on it & has and always will find a way to maintain inner and outer balance. Its the same with people, as we are a part of Nature. This is what my yoga practice shows me.

Balance has always been a recurring theme for me. When I was divorced at a young age (21) and had 2 small sons to raise, it was about finding the balance between working, going to school to finish my education, growing up myself, and being a mother to the boys. There was hardly time to socialize or pursue the hobbies I enjoyed.

I am now at an age, 25 years later, where my body is changing. There is a balance that needs to be maintained between exercise & sleep;  food & activity; stress & hormones, compassion & assertiveness; fast & slow; work and play & business & family.


As an Independent Educator, I have to constantly find balance between my student & work relationships, my family relationships and my friendships. When I see other people (and myself) doing too many things and not accomplishing anything, that is a sign of a chaotic frame of mind, and time to find that balance again.  


As a student (and also as a teacher) of yoga, balance poses have always been my favorite: In Tree Pose I always had a sense of rootedness; confidence in 'where I stood'.  Side Angle Pose gives me a new peperspective during shifts of balance. Crow Squats allow me to focus on how far I am leaning/rushing into things. Triangle and Revolved Triangle just make me feel alive and stable even though I am twisted in different directions as I reach to new heights.

I draw these analogies with the kids when I am teaching a yoga class. It is not only good for the physical proprioceptive sense integration, (internal equilibrium) but also for the larger sense of Life. If this idea of internal/external balance is instilled at a young age, hopefully our children will grow in to young men and women who handle the busy-ness & everyday stresses of Life with a more self-confidence & ease.


Here is a game I call "Yo-Jenga" to play with kids to help them understand the idea of balance and focus: (Courtesy Alluem Kids  &  Yoga In My School. )

The best family game to teach the idea of balance has to be Jenga. This game consists of a tower of  little wooden blocks that are removed one by one carefully without toppling over the tower. (You can find a $5.00 version of this game called "Timber Tumble" at Five Below stores.) This activity will quickly develop patience, focus, fine motor skills, social and communication skills and problem solving.

By writing balance poses on the wooden blocks, (tree, crow, feather dancer, triangle, etc) you can turn an ordinary Jenga game into 'Yo-Jenga'!

Have each child pick a block from the stack, then teach the pose to the others. Then place the block on top of the pile to see how tall the tower can go!

I also have a few "Create-a-Pose" blocks in the pile as well. This allows the player to make up their own balance pose.

Include a few "Breathing-Break" blocks to keep the players grounded and focused. The game is over when the tower topples, or when the players are losing interest, or when the time limit is up.

For more balance & Sensory games visit us at:  BodyLogique



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