Parents can find it very challenging to get into a yoga class.  Often a babysitter is needed, only one parent is able to attend or you have to take precious time away from your family.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to get to spend some time in a yoga class with your child?  To be able to do your practice and also watch them get all of the same benefits that you do?

The Parent Child Class at San Antonio Yoga is a chance to connect with your child in a way that is unlike any other time you will ever spend together.  You will move, breath and connect together, creating sacred memories.  Through your example, children will learn why yoga is essential in our lives and they will start to feel the amazing effects of it as well.  Their confidence will soar, their stress will lessen and they will be better able to face the challenges in their lives with faith and understanding.  Children will be given the space to comfortably explore their bodies with movement and without any judgement, while parents will be able to be an observer to their transformation, without the need to correct or parent.   This one hour class will be a chance for both parents and children to just enjoy each other and be present in the moment.

To learn more about all of the benefits of yoga for children, please see our Children's Yoga Page.

Lisa has advanced training in the use of yoga as therapy for children with ADHD, ADD, Autism, Anxiety, Sensory Processing Disorder, Visual Impairment, Dyslexia and other challenges that many children face.  If your child has any such challenges, please let Lisa know.  She will be able to use therapy in the Parent & Child Yoga Class, or in a private yoga class, to help address these challenges.

Yoga is the practice of learning how to face life. It is said that we think the same thoughts over and over and over again, similar to how a broken record would sound.  What if these thought patterns are negative? It is interesting, in life, how we often treat ourselves worse then anyone else.  At times, the self talk that runs in our heads would be considered verbal abuse...if it were directed to anyone else.   We would never permit a friend or co-worker to say, to us, some of the things we say to ourselves.  Luckily no one else can hear the things we tell ourselves. 

A practice that I have challenged my yoga students with is to find self love. During their asanas I have asked them to stop each time they get into Mountain or Child's Pose and to think of a new thing that they LOVE about themselves.  I ask them to place it in their heart and hold it there.  By the end of the practice they begin to realize that they have been their worst critic and they also start to have to work hard to find those things that they love about themselves.  Those things that give them pride and worth.  

Self love is one of the most important parts of life. With it, we can finally let go of a lot of past hurts that were based on this fundamental need for love.  This about your relationship with your parents, friends or spouses.  What hurt feelings do you harbor that if you really drilled down to the really issue, it was simply about you not feeling loved?  If we are able to love ourselves, we can let go of the need for others to love and approve of us.   By filling ourselves up with love first, we can go out into the world and truly give love to others, without the need to be loved by anyone else.  This is unconditional love.  Loving yourself and then giving love is saying that you love someone just because you do... and not because they must love you in return.  
 
The ramblings of the mind are no different then a 3 year old with their antics.  How would your life change if you could laugh at these thoughts?  Are you these thoughts?  Are you your mind?  No, not anymore then you are your stomach or your foot.  With that understanding, it is easier to see the ramblings of the mind and just laugh at it's antics.  The mind is no different then the lungs.  It is simply doing it's intended function...to think.  It is important to keep an eye on the mind though and make sure that it is used as a tool to help you figure out solutions, but not to determine your path.

So, I challenge you.  We go through Mountain & Child's Pose many times in our yoga practices.  Each time you do, find something you love about yourself and hold it in your heart.  Hopefully by the end of your practice, your heart will swell and the love will fill your whole body.


Namaste.

There is a great article on Gaiam's website about why yoga is great for weight loss.  Many people are surprised to find out that they don't need to perform high impact sports, in order to lose weight.  If you love yoga, do yoga!  It works!  Keeping our bodies healthy, is all about consistency.  We have to decide to regularly eat well and exercise.  Otherwise, it will only benefit us while we are doing it.  That doesn't mean we can't ever have a treat, but it does mean that the treats need to be just that... a treat.  If you aren't doing an exercise that you love, the results will only be short term too.  Yoga is something that can grow and change with you, because there is no end. 

So, read the article and let me know what you think.  I would love to hear how yoga has changed you life and your body!


Gaiam Article

Yoga is now recognized for helping children and adults with ADHD, Autism, Aspergers, learning disabilities, Sensory Processing Disorder, visual impairments, and a multitude of other problems.   Even schools have recognized the value of yoga therapy and they are hiring yoga therapists to help their students!

So, why does it work? The physical movements of yoga help to create new neural pathways in our brains.  These new neural pathways help children dealing with challenges and even make learning much easier!  In addition, vestibular and proprioceptive stimulation help the with sensory processing problems.