And the winners are...

Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered YogaBuddies Bedtime Stories DVD.

We'd like to announce the winners for our pre-order raffle.

Congratulations to our five winners receiving an Envirosax Kids Bags
1) Julie Nemeth
2) Michelle Bryson
3) Elissa Scheckowitz
4) Marissa Kivett
5) Adi Levy

Congratulations to Kathryn Bury, the winner to receive one set of Lunch Skins (reusable, washable lunch bags) from 3 Green Moms.

Winners were chosen by random.org

YogaBuddies Release new DVD!

The moment has arrived!! We are pleased to announce the release of YogaBuddies Bedtime Stories DVD.

Help your children prepare for a restful sleep.

YogaBuddies Bedtime Stories DVD includes three bedtime stories incorporating yoga poses to help kids unwind, stretch and relax as they prepare for a night of restful sleep.

Follow along as five yoga buddies demonstrate calming yoga poses while listening to bedtime stories read by YogaBuddies founder, Danay DiVirgilio. YogaBuddies is a leader in providing creative yoga programs for kids of all ages.

See the preview or just purchase the DVD

The Practice of Non-Judgment

Each week we teach our students a character building word. When we do this we remind them that these ideas are to practice. They're ideas to try out and see what happens.

Non-judgment is definitely one of those character building words that requires practice. Practicing non-judgment means we no longer judge others OR ourselves.

A great concept and tall order to fill because judging is a part of being human. We can credit our egos for this instinct. We don't begin each morning say "I'm going to judge everyone I see today", but we instinctively do it none the less. Our egos look for what is wrong or different. We judge what other people wear, what they say, how they look, how they drive, how they spend their time or not spend their time. We judge strangers, new people we meet and our own family. The biggest victim of our judgments - ourselves. We often don't even recognize that we are doing it but for most of us it begins the moment we wake up and look in the mirror. We judge our bodies. We judge how we look, how we don't look. We judge what we say or don't say, what we do or don't do, how much money we spend or don't spend and what we have or don't have. We call ourselves names like dumb, lazy, fat and ugly. These harsh words are not healthy for our bodies.

The key for practicing non-judgment begins with becoming aware that we are doing it. This is the practice. Usually the awareness occurs after the judgment has happened. If I recognize I have been judging someone there are several things I might do: 1) try to think of one thing about them I like, 2) I'll send them a blessing in my mind, 3) think of them as a child or 4) (this one takes extra work) look at where the judgment comes from within me and practice forgiveness. By becoming aware of the judgments we can then begin to change how we treat ourselves and others. Remember judgments typically come from a belief that someone or something (a situation, a characteristic, parts of our body, etc) should be different than the way it is. When we are aware of the judgments as a belief we have made up and can practice acceptance, compassion and forgiveness we empower ourselves to live happy and peaceful lives.

Ways to pracice non-judgment:

• Practice acceptance with yourself, others and situations
  
• Practice compassion (you never know why someone could be in a bad mood)
• Practice forgiveness
• Look in the mirror and tell yourself you love your SELF, especially love the parts you're not as fond of
  

Pose of the Month - Swan Dive into Forward Fold

For Swan Dive - Forward Fold start standing with feet hip distance apart, hands are together at the heart. Inhale hands up over the head. Exhale as arms float down, hinging at the hips and the upper body bends forward. The fingers are reaching for the floor. If if feels uncomfortable in the back of your legs or your lower back slightly bend the knees. Hang here either with your fingers reaching for your toes or hold onto your elbows and let gravity work its magic. Allowing your upper body to relax and feeling the stretch in your legs take several long, deep breaths in and out. Come up slowly to a standing position.
This pose will increase flexibility in your legs and release tension in your lower back.

3 Tips for Kids - Practicing Non-Judgment

Non-judgment is the practice of not judging yourself and not judging others.

When we practice non-judgment it is similar to when your parents or a teacher have said don't judge a book by its cover. Another way of putting it, is get to know someone before you decide you don't like them or want to play with them. Remember that everyone is different. Not one yoga pose looks the same and neither does each snowflake that falls from the sky. We are all still learning about life and doing the best that we know how to do (even your parents!)

3 Ways to practice non-judgment:

• Try to find one thing you like about someone
• Look in the mirror and tell yourself you love your SELF
• Give someone a compliment

New DVD: YogaBuddies Bedtime Stories

Help your children prepare for a restful sleep.

YogaBuddies Bedtime Stories DVD includes three bedtime stories incorporating yoga poses to help kids unwind, stretch and relax as they prepare for a night of restful sleep.

Follow along as five yoga buddies demonstrate calming yoga poses while listening to bedtime stories read by YogaBuddies founder, Danay DiVirgilio. YogaBuddies is a leader in providing creative yoga programs for kids of all ages.

Learn more about the DVD and pre-order bonuses.