Your Integrated Kid.

I have just come off a weekend intensive, and my world has been smashed open, again, as it often does at trainings like these. It usually starts with me walking into a room shaking with fear (why am I so nervous?) to lay out my mat with dozens of strangers. Then I practice integration with them, which, let me say, often feels just plain exposing. It's all of me, right there on my mat for everyone to see, exposed.

Since my first yoga class EVER in 2007, as a newly engaged young adult, at the Bayview & Sheppard YMCA, I have sought out this integration. Of course I didn't know what it was then, but I've stuck with this yoga-thing through all the ups and downs. And believe me, there have been ups and downs. Tears, anger, intolerance, swearing to myself that I must just walk away because it's too hard, and yet I have always known deep down that I must stay with and hold on to the integrity. Do what feels integral & strive for unity - every part of my body looked for it then and continues to look for it now. And another small piece of it was found this past weekend.

This journey of integration, or to make into a whole by bringing all parts together, is what Appleseed supports in this world. It's why I practice and it's why I deliver these teachings to your kids. It's the pursuit of finding integration, in all parts of our lives.

So if you're on this page, join me. Let's see what our kids can look like as integrated beings. And let's try our best to not let them lose that integration, as we throw them out into the world little by little. Because it's damn scary, this world of ours, and we ought to give them the greatest chance we possibly can of spreading the light we all know is there.

For the pursuit of integration,
Megan

4 Summer Herbal Remedies for Kids

It’s summer!  Which means two things: there’s an abundance of plant friends around and I’m constantly reaching for band-aids.  Ever wonder how we can use the green healers around us for our kids’ numerous summertime childhood ailments? Over at Little Tree Wellness, Appleseed’s friend Jazmine Stinson shares her favourite common herbs that help her family during their summer (or even year-round) woes:

Chamomile:  Chamomile is gentle and soothing, making it great for kids. It is used to treat many conditions including: aches and pains from the flu, common cold, teething, motion sickness, inflamed skin, anxiety, restlessness, loss of appetite and allergies. (Hoffmann, 2003). Favourite ways to use: hot/herbal tea, floral bath mix and hydrosols. 

Lavender: Lavender is acclaimed for its soothing and calming benefits. It can be effective in alleviating cramps, spasms, stress, anxiety, sleep troubles, pain and headaches. It is a mild antidepressant and helps to restore the nervous system (Hoffmann 1990, 2003) and balance the body (Romm, 2010). Favourite way to use: hot/iced tea, floral bath mix, herbal facial steam, aromatic herb pillow and house sprays. 

Calendula: Calendula (pictured) is brilliant for healing skin conditions that are inflamed, irritated and infected. It soothes and provides relief from dry skin and lips, diaper rash, eczema, wounds, bruising, cuts and minor burns (Hoffmann 2003). Internally, Calendula is helpful for treating upset stomachs, inflamed lymph nodes and gums, and has antibacterial properties! (Romm, 2010). Favourite way to use: herbal oil infusion, herbal bath mix, tincture and topical salves. 

Lemon Balm: Lemon Balm is a beautifully smelling and delicious mint family herb. It promotes calmness and helps uplift the spirit.  It is useful in combination for promoting sleep and relaxation, stress reduction, healing cold sores, easing tension headaches, reducing fever and easing tummy ache. Favourite way to use: herbal ice pops, fresh in salads, hot/iced tea. 

For more information about herbal medicine contact Jazmine Stinson, RH, CN at: jazmine@littletreewellness.com, or www.littletreewellness.com.  Follow Little Tree Wellness on Instagram @littletreewellness or Facebook @littletreewellnessandapothecary.

Pose of the Summer: Jellyfish

Jellyfish Pose (Uttanasana)

Summer is here finally and as I anticipated, the heat has arrived with a vengeance. Not going to lie, our family is made up of winter-lovers, and although the shedding of the layers is very welcome, we intentionally make time in our routines for cooling down. The pressure and anticipation of the summer sometimes leaves me feeling disappointed when all the plans don’t pan out, but mostly i’m just so incredibly happy to have my school-aged honey home and more family time!

Jellyfish is the pose of Summer. Did you know jellyfish have been around for at least 500 million years? Some glow-in-the-dark, AND they can clone themselves!

Benefits
Jellyfish pose is calming, relieves stress and helps improve digestion. It also stretches out the back of the body and strengthens the thighs and knees. I love using this pose to decompress my spine and relieve mild headaches. When things get overwhelming sometimes it can help to find a new perspective by literally turning your heart and head upside down!

Do it!
Jellyfish is simple to do, but staying for a while (as an adult) is not easy! But kids loooove this pose. Stand tall with knees slightly bent and fold at the hips. As your hands come closer to the ground, your knees can bend as much as you need in order to have your tummy close to your thighs while still staying comfortable. Take a few intentional breaths and shake your head a little.

Have Fun!
Is your jellyfish a giant-sized deep ocean dweller, or a pocket-sized baby washed up on a sandy beach? Float your arms in all directions slowly and bend each knee - your arms and legs are your tentacles trailing you as you propel yourself through the water. Let your head go and swing it too! Jellyfish eat small fish and some bring them up to their mouths with the use of their tentacles. What is your jellyfish eating for dinner tonight? Yum!

Here's to sunscreen, scraped knees, and swimming everyday to avoid the bath,

Happy Summer!

Megan

Our Top 10 Kids Yoga and Mindfulness Books

Over here at Appleseed we are OBSESSED with Kids Yoga and Mindfulness books.  After almost 3 years of extensive research and testing (on the kids I teach and my own babies), I've curated a list of books that will capture the attention of your child and truly edify their soul during these formative years!  You can find a book in this list for children between the ages of 1 and 12.

This list is sure to expand, evolve and change as this genre of material continues to grow, but here is Appleseed’s Top 10 Yoga and Mindfulness Books for 2019!

1.  Yoga Bug by Sarah Jane Hinder - This sweet boardbook is loved by every Appleseed toddler that has come into contact with it!  Each page associates a well-known bug with a pose and children love to move their bodies as the pages turn.  The Bug theme is expansive and sweet. (Ages birth-4)

2.  I’m The Biggest Thing In The Ocean by Kevin Sherry - Technically not a yoga book, this one makes the cut with it’s simple text and sweet oceanic creatures on each page!  Children are taken up by the story and looooove the buildup and surprise ending! (Ages 18 mos - 5)

3.  Meddy Teddy: Mindful Poses for Little Yogis - This board book goes well with a Meddy Teddy as a gift for your child!  Kids are always inspired to move their Meddy Teddy and their own bodies as they turn each page.  We sometimes use this book in our Namastuffy classes! (Ages 2 - 12)

4.  You Are A Lion! By Taeeun Yoo - This book is a great one as each page includes sweet children in various animal poses and also inspires their natural sounds!  The famous lion’s breath is always a hit with kids of any age - something they often aren’t encouraged to do outside of yoga class!  (Ages 2-8)

5.  I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds - This book is part of a fantastic series that will have great philosophical impact on the next generation.   Just as Appleseed hopes to ultimately accomplish in this world, this book highlights the fundamental connectedness of humans and their natural state of perfect imperfection. (Ages 6-12)

6. ABC Mindful Me by Christiane Engel - We love this book in our home since the boys can enjoy it on their own accord! The pictures are simple, colourful, and remind us of some of the values we hold close: love of nature, presence, and creativity! (Ages 2-8)

7. Breathe Like A Bear by Kira Willey & Anni Betts- If you teach kids (no matter the setting), or are a parent, this book is a fantastic tool. It is comprised of 30 exercises to calm, focus, imagine, energize, and relax children. These lessons are invaluable in connecting to kids and supporting them (and yourself) regardless of the situation! (Ages 2-12)

8. Yoga Bunny by Brian Russo - Each kid I read this book to loves it! The natural progression of Bunny’s yoga adventure captures a child’s attention beautifully. We also learn a few key benefits to yoga alongside sweet and simple illustrations! (Ages 3-8)

9. The Yoga Game: In The Garden by Kathy Beliveau & Denise Holmes - Children are magnetized to this book. The game that takes place through the pages holds each child’s focus and they enjoy guessing the animal and then performing the pose! Look out for the By The Sea version too! (Ages 4-8)

10. Good Night Yoga by Mariam Gates - Who can’t use a book with poses to help calm and prepare their child for sleep? This book does just that and also is helpful for the mindful parent as well. Children love looking for the sweet moon kitten through the story. There is optional text instructing the pose which makes this book easily adapted for younger or older children. (Ages 2-8)

Do you have any other favourite Kids Yoga and Mindfulness books? We’d love to hear!

Peace!

Megan

Pose of the Season: Spring

Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana)

After being sick and mostly home for what seemed like weeks, I emerged from the house into a world of spring!  Talk about a renewal of my cells and the world around me.  The snow is mostly gone and i’m pretty sure my parka is going away this weekend.  One of my most favourite things in the world is my boys and I wearing our warm wool sweaters, comfy pants, and rain boots while breathing in the cool moist air and exploring the muddy and wet world outside. 

Butterfly is the pose of spring this year.  Did you know butterflies have taste receptors on their feet and their wings are made of tiny scales?

Benefits
The benefits of butterfly pose are fantastic, especially opening those hips after a long winter!   This pose also helps to stimulate the abdominal organs, reproductive organs, bladder and kidneys, as well as open the heart and stimulates circulation.  This pose is known to help with depression and anxiety and also stretches the inner thighs, groin, and knees.  These are all things that aid in our health as we transition from winter to the warmer seasons.

Do it!
Butterfly is simple to do, even babies and toddlers love it.  Sit in a comfortable seat and bring the soles of your feet to touch in front of you.  Position your heels in a comfortable spot, maybe closer to your seat or farther away, you decide!  Grow your spine nice and tall, if you feel your pelvis rocking back, sit up on a blanket or cushion.  To fly your butterfly, bounce your knees up and down, these are your colourful wings flapping! 

Have Fun!
Where will your butterfly fly - are you a Monarch flying south?  If your butterfly gets tired, it can go to sleep by bringing your nose down close to your toes.  Your butterfly may also stretch out to create bigger wings - just grab your big toes and stretch out your legs long while balancing on your seat!  Falling over is part of the fun, how far back can you lean before you fall?  Partner butterfly is a blast too, just sit back to back with a friend or family member and float your wings.  What colour is your butterfly?  Fly with your sensitive antennas, just place your fists on either side of your head - pointer fingers out long!   Or maybe you’re a swarm of butterflies with your friends and family!

Do you have another creative expression of butterfly pose??  We’d love to hear it! 

Here's to wet umbrellas, cleaning up, and taking a deep breath when the mud abounds,

Happy Spring!

Megan