We are excited to announce the second Mindfulness and Meditation for Busy Bodies Mini Workshop. This will be a short series, just 2 classes, to help center and calm us before the holiday bustle BUT it will be so much fun! During this workshop children will learn what happens to their bodies and minds when they are stressed, angry or sad and how they can develop techniques to help themselves. Mindfulness seems to be gaining steam as the new buzzword but it is simply the practice of being in the moment - of observing without judgement. Understanding that nothing has power over us and that every interaction is dependent on the energy we attach to it. Our reaction is always ours to change. Meditation and children don't often go hand and hand but meditation doesn't have to be still and silent while sitting in full lotus on a meditation pillow. We will also place a strong focus on balancing our strength and opinions with the compassion and empathy we feel for others... something that's a universal tightrope for all of us, but especially our kiddos!
During each class kids will do a fun silly yoga sequence, practice their breathing while blowing feathers or pompoms, and partner poses will be incorporated to build trust within their community. They may hear a story such as The Moody Cow Learns Compassion and they will work on different techniques used for meditation such as a Calming Jar or Rainbow Glitter Putty (if you've already made a jar with me) we will also pick out and learn how to use a "Magic Rock". The children are all invited to wear their favorite PJs and we will close our last class with hot chocolate, cookies, and our beloved guided Color Meditation. While both classes will be slightly different they will build upon each other and the focus will be the same. They will come to understand the power of their actions and reactions and how that effects themselves and their world. They will also objectively view their observations and interactions from a place of empathy and solid self-worth. Your children will develop a personal "toolbox" of choices that can be drawn from when they feel anxious, unsettled, angry, jealous, restless, or when their "motor just can't slow down". They will also have lots of FUN!
This series will be offered at Heart in Hand and is for school age children. Dates for workshop are Friday, December 4th and 11th from 6-7:45pm, the cost is $40 for the workshop with a 20% sibling discount (includes both classes, all supplies, craft, and snack). Pre-registration is required, please contact Laura directly through email or facebook, payment can be made by cash, check, or paypal.
Developing a regular yoga practice for children has more benefits that you can imagine and there is no age too young! There are several regular classes available for children and families and drop ins are always welcome. Please follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on regular class and summer offerings or contact Laura by email.
Laura Cioe, founder of Open Hands Wellness, has brought kids and family yoga classes and workshops to Heart in Hand (the former Village Wellness) 422 Post Rd Warwick 02888, in addition to in school and after school programs. Laura is mother to 4 and has worked with children of all ages across many areas. It has been a natural evolution for her to combine her previous medical background, work with special needs children and adults, many years of providing daycare in her own home, and current profession as a preschool teacher, with her strong personal beliefs and practice in holistic healing, yoga, and nutrition. With training through Karma Kids Yoga, Laura is certified to teach children of all ages and abilities. Your children will go on many age appropriate adventures within the walls of the studio...they will be animals, mimic nature, play games, tell stories, find and use their breath, and make many connections. Together they will honor and strengthen their minds and bodies, improve flexibility and coordination, learn to balance emotions and reactions, improve focus and attention, and always celebrate each other's uniqueness and diversity,... but they'll just think they're having FUN! These playful creative methods, developed by Shari Vilchez-Blatt's coupled with Laura's passion for yoga and innate connection with children merge in creating an adventurous loving class where their magic shines and blossoms. Yoga will truly benefit all children.
In addition to children's yoga Laura is also a Reiki practitioner, a health coach, and is well studied in the healing properties of Essential Oils. Creating the highest quality custom blended oils from doTERRA and Young Living. She brings all these modalities together in each and every one of her classes and treatments.
"Our world has changed so much, and continues to do so at a dizzying pace. We all seem to find ourselves looking for some peace, for our center, in this ever busy and demanding world. Children are no different...I would go so far as to say that children, even more so, need time where they're allowed to find their center. They sometimes need to be taught how to find their calm place, how to ground themselves before reacting...they also need time to be SILLY! My goal for bringing children's yoga into Village Wellness is to give our children a safe, non-competitive, non-judgmental environment where they can move their bodies, use their imaginations, and feel completely accepted exactly where they are. Yoga naturally leads children to develop a keen sense of self awareness and greatly increases their self confidence." - Laura
