Monday, December 26, 2011

Some Of My Favorite Yoga Books For Kids, Part 2


I went up into my yoga book library and pulled a few more books to add to my previous post:

1. C if for Curious: An ABC of Feelings by Woodleigh Hubbard
2. Fly Like A Butterfly by Shakta Kaur Khalsa
3. Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley
4. I Love Yoga by Mary Kaye Chryssicas
5. Look Inside Your Body: A Poke And Learn Learning Book by Anna Nicholas
6. Sky Tree by Thomas Locker
7. The Amazing Pull-out Pop-Up Body in a Book by David Hawcock
8. The Empty Pot by Demi
9. Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein

I also love my:
1. Mr. Thrifty Budget Skeleton Model 33 1/2 inch high for classroom use
2. Muscular System Anatomical Chart Laminated
3. Yoga Classroom Border (from Yoga Accessories)

and I have a great piece of Cavallini Skeleton wrapping paper that is awesome!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Some of my favorite yoga books for young children:




1.    Little Yoga: A Toddler's First Book of Yoga by Rebecca Whitford
2.    The ABCs of Yoga for Kids by Teresa Power
8.    Create a Yoga Practice for Kids by Yael Calhoun and Matthew R. Calhoun 
10.  Yoga Games for Children: Fun and Fitness with Postures, Movements and Breath  by Danielle Bersma, Marjoke Visscher and Alex Kooistra
11.  Benito's Dream Bottle by Naomi Shihab Nye
12.  Beau the Bee by Minda Devorkin 
13.  Each Breath a Smile by Sister Susa
14.  Baby Buddhas: A Gude To Teaching Meditation to Children by Lisa Desmond
15.  Peaceful Piggy Meditation by Kerry Lee MacLean
16.  Moody Cow Meditates by Kerry Lee MacLean
17.  Buddha at Bedtime: Tales of Love and Wisdom for You to Read with Your Child to Enchant, Enlighten and Inspire by Dharmachari Nagaraja 

Friday, December 2, 2011

November Yoga-Snack in MS. Forzaglia's class/Brown School, Natick, MA



We started seated in a wide stance butterfly pose (feet not pulled in close to the body) and then relaxed over our legs. Focusing on our breath and with each exhale, allowing the breath to accumulate three fingers below the belly button (a great place to store breath energy)

Class today was centered on finding balance in the crazy holiday season. Things that were mentioned: The setting back of our clocks, which changed the amount of daylight hours, and how that can affect your mood and energy level.; Eating varied foods and eating at different times which can upset your intestinal balance; The desire for certain gifts/the wanting can be unsettling; Changes in the household when guests visit; vacation time and finally because of the colder weather less time out doors and maybe less physical activity.

All of these things can lead to unbalance and the beauty of yoga is that is a very simple way we can bring balance back into our lives. The poses, the breathing, the meditation will help us relax or energize.

Sitting up, we tucked our feet under our bottoms and sat between the two heels (big toes crossed) stretched our arms behind us and pressed our finger tips into the floor-which lifts and opens our chest and opens our hearts for a burst of energy.


Then a modified opposite nostril breathing exercise:
1. Close of the right nostril with the thumb of your right hand.
2. Breath in and out with just the left nostril; repeat but this time on the exhale imagine a murky, swampy green color leaving through your left nostril (good bye to greed and envy); repeat
3. Now let go of right nostril and close off your left nostril with the ring and pinky finger of right hand.
4. Breath in and out with just the right nostril; repeat but this time on the exhale imagine a watery red color leaving through your right nostril (good bye to anger and hate); repeat
5. Let go of both nostrils.
6. Breath in and out with both nostrils; repeat but this time on the exhale imagine a dark, smokey grey color leaving through both nostrils (good bye to the dull, foggy sleepy mind); repeat

"You should now feel light, happy and aware" "Try putting a smile on your face and just see how that makes you feel better"

Cow (inhale) moooooooo to Cat (exhale) Meoooowwwww (hands under shoulder and knees under hips)
Plank (shoulders right over wrists; strong bellies; drop tail)
Side Plank (and for challenge try tree pose leg)
Plank
Down to floor and hissing up and moving spine-Cora Pose
Repeat whole sequence and do side plank on other side
Downward Facing Dog
Walk hands back to Standing Forward Bend back to Downward Facing Dog
Standing Tree Pose-variations of arms
Star Pose to Warrior 1 (I am courageous!) to Warrior 2 (I am Brave!) to Dancing Warrior (I am amazing!) to Extended Side Angle pose (use a good in breath to start to come out of the pose and finish with an exhale). Repeat fro Star Pose and sequence on other side.

A-E-I-O-U Meditation:
Sitting cross legged; pointer finger out and using thumb to hold other fingers curled
I am happy; I am good. I am happy; I am good (Shake pointer fingers)
A-E-I-O (hands together at the belly button) ; A-E-I-O (hands together by the heart) ; A-E-I-O (hands together by the forehead); U (hands reaching up to sky).
Ha-ha-ha-ha (hands together by the forehead) ; He-he-he-he (hands together by the heart) ; Ho-ho-ho-ho (hands together at the belly button) ; Hooooooo (pronounced "who" hands reaching our by the knees).


Sequence:
2 times out loud
2 times whisper
2 times in head (continue hand movements)
2 times whisper
2 times out loud

Namaste! Ole!
Eve






Thursday, December 1, 2011

WORLD MUSIC/CRASHarts ANNOUNCES FLAMENCO FESTIVAL 2012



WORLD MUSIC/CRASHarts ANNOUNCES
FLAMENCO FESTIVAL 2012
On sale now! For tickets and information call 617-876-4275 or visit www.WorldMusic.org

Compañía Rafaela Carrasco
Performing the Boston premiere of Vamos al Tiroteo
Friday, March 2, 8pm l Saturday, March 3, 8pm l $65, $50, $40
Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College, 219 Tremont St., Boston

From Seville, Rafaela Carrasco is a breathtaking dancer and one of the most important flamenco choreographers of her generation. With her company of five dancers and live musicians, she displays her rare ability to explore new concepts while maintaining the essence and integrity of flamenco in Vamos al Tiroteo. Set to a selection of popular Spanish songs originally recorded by Federico García Lorca and sung by La Argentinita in 1931, Vamos al Tiroteo brings new life and energy to the music that inspired a hugely influential generation of flamenco artists.

Compañía Olga Pericet
Performing the Boston premiere of Rosa, Metal y Ceniza
Sunday, March 4, 7pm l $65, $50, $40
Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College, 219 Tremont St., Boston

Boston debut

One of flamenco’s most exciting new talents, Olga Pericet is a young, diminutive yet powerful dancer. Her elegant new work, Rosa, Metal y Ceniza, won the Revelación prize at last year´s Festival de Jerez. It seamlessly blends dream references with traditional and contemporary flamenco dance and features Pericet joined by two male dancers and live musicians.

Also this season, don’t miss:
From Spain
PACO DE LUCÍA
Wednesday, April 11, 7:30pm l $75, $60, $40
The Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St, Boston

“The most advanced guitarist in any idiom.”Guitar Review

One of the world’s greatest guitarists, Paco de Lucía is a living legend of flamenco music. Considered by many to be the most innovative and influential flamenco artist of the last 40 years, he has had a revolutionary impact on the art form, infusing it with new life and bringing it worldwide attention. Paco de Lucía will be performing with his world-renowned flamenco sextet and the spectacular dancer Farruco.

●●●
For tickets and information call 617-876-4275 or visit www.WorldMusic.org