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Relaxing/Balancing the Body

Superhero Powers

Superheros are rocking our world this summer!  With Avengers making record financial history, everywhere you turn in shopping land, a superhero is ready to greet you.  Last night I was the superhero of my own dream.  Before I fell asleep, … Continue reading

Release Pent Up Energy: The 30 Second Cycling Trip

Ever need a quick tool to help your child release energy to re-focus in the moment?   This one-minute relaxer is fun, engaging and does the job to get that excess energy OUT while activating the imagination at the same time.  … Continue reading

Calm and Focus: The Potential Effects of Deep Pressure Touch

Deep pressure touch has been found to be very calming to the nervous system.  I work with many students who struggle with sensory integration and moderation and sometimes deep pressure touch works to help them focus and/or calm down.  Please … Continue reading

Body Rock

Body rock involves gently rocking the body back and forth to calm the nervous system.  Have your child lie flat on the floor.  Use a yoga mat or lie on a soft carpet for increased comfort.  Don’t use a pillow … Continue reading

Cat Cow Desk Stretch

This is the time of year when educators and students alike can feel stress,  stress from the looming changes associated with wrapping up the year and preparing for the less structured summer months.   Following  are a few simple stretching … Continue reading

Relaxing with the Labyrinth

Last weekend, as the weather turned into spring, I turned my back patio into a labyrinth activity center.  My children and I created a heart-shaped spiral and a simple circular spiral labyrinth with sidewalk chalk and began to walk.  Paying … Continue reading

Elephant Hands

I tell children when they are feeling overly stressed and tense, that it is just a sign that we need to release some stuck energy and re-establish calm feelings.  One way to do that is through hand yoga or mudras.  … Continue reading

Floppy Noodle/Carrot Stick

Teaching children to relax begins by helping them to understand the difference between feeling tense and feeling relaxed.  We can do this by playing tense/relax games.  Showing them the difference between being very relaxed and very tense can be fun … Continue reading

The Massage Snake

When our bodies are feeling tense and we need to take a break, it is fun to build a massage snake.  Instruct everyone to sit in a “curvy snake line” and place your hands gently on the shoulders of the … Continue reading

Brain Gym Activities for Stress Reduction

The brain is made up of two hemispheres that are responsible for different functions.  When the right and left hemispheres are communicating competently, we experience integrated thought related to higher level thinking, problem-solving and creativity.  When we are under stress, … Continue reading