The topic for this month Love.

I find Valentine's Day a holiday similar to Thanksgiving in that the focus of each, love and gratitude, can be practiced every day, not just one day a year.  So this month we focus on Love. In our YogaBuddies' classes, we do our best to bring the concept of love and gratitude to our students in each yoga class. For example, while they are in a pose they may be holding for a few breaths we'll ask them to think of all the things they love about their life. Or think about all the people in their life they love. Or think about what they love about their body!  Just like grown ups, the latter is not always easy. This is why I like having them recognize (at a young age) we all have something we can love about our bodies so those negative body images don't stick with them into adulthood.

I was not taught as a young girl to look at myself physically or characteristically at what I loved. It wasn't until adulthood that I looked in the mirror and really loved the person I was looking at. Learning to love ourselves can be a process. Start simple with features or characteristics you love about yourself first. Also, try looking in the mirror, looking into your own eyes and telling yourself you love yourself.  It can be a heart-opening experience. I suggest saying it to yourself every time you look at yourself. When we learn to love ourselves first, it opens us to truly loving others.

Peace and love,

Danay

4 Tips from Kids Practicing Love

Our word this month is Love.  

Love is a strong attachment or warm affection toward another person. We can practice love with our moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents, friends, pets, aunts, uncles, cousins, and teachers.  

Here are a few examples from students in our classes for how you can practice Love: ♥ Help with chores. ♥ Put away toys when asked. ♥ Give cards and presents to your parents.

♥ Give hugs and kiss to your parents.

Here are a few more examples for practicing Love: 

♥ Tell someone you love them.

♥ Do something nice for someone.
♥ Write a note or draw a picture to someone you love.  

♥ If your grandparents or other close family members live far call them or skype with them.

5 Kid Tips for Practicing Compassion

Compassion means having affectionate care or concern for another person. When we practice compassion we imagine with kindness what someone else is experiencing.

Examples of when you could practice compassion:
- if a friend's pet died
- a friend, sibling or parent has been in an argument
- someone is not as fortunate as you
- your mom or dad are in a bad mood
- a friend gets a bad grade on a test or project

5 Tips for How to Practice Compassion?
* by being quiet and listening to the person's upset
* giving a hug to a friend or family member when they are upset
* sending loving thoughts to the person
* writing or drawing a picture for the person
* telling them you love & care for them

Love and Kindness

Love is often the topic and focus for February because we celebrate Valentine's Day. This month we're diving into one aspect of how we can show love, through acts of kindness.

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile. -- Mother Teresa

Last week I was talking to one of my classes about how we show love. The children expressed several great answers; one child said be helpful to others, another said you can give hugs, and a third child said be kind to a friend or family member.

The last student's answer reminded me of conference I had watched given by Dr. Wayne Dyer, author of several great self-empowerment books. Part of his talk was about random acts of kindness. He shared some statistics that grabbed my attention. He shared that a receiver of an act of kindness has their serotonin levels increase as well as their immune system strengthened. The giver of an act of kindness has the same increase in serotonin levels as well as their immune system strengthened.

The part I found fascinating was, an observer of an act of kindness experienced an increase in serotonin levels and a strengthened immune system. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that acts as a chemical messenger and believed to affect psychological functions. It is the feel good or well-being feelings we experience. The more serotonin you have the better you feel. It is also what many anti-depressant drugs try to stimulate.

By practicing random acts of kindness you make yourself feel good psychologically, but also physically! These acts of kindness could be as little as a smile.

Other random acts of kindness to increase your feel good chemicals and strengthen your immune system are:
- Giving a hug
- Giving a compliment
- Letting someone over in traffic (instead of racing ahead)
- Giving someone change
- Acknowledging someone for their effort
- Giving a gift, flowers, or a 'thinking of you' card
- Inviting a friend for coffee, tea or lunch
- Calling a friend or relative you haven't talked to in awhile
- Sharing a positive thought or quote
- Picking up litter
- Volunteering

To your health!