February Fun!

Happy Valentine’s Day!! From our hearts to yours, please enjoy this short story…

A Valentine’s Day Yoga Adventure 

Once upon a time, in an enchanted garden filled with love and laughter, two little friends, Bree and Ben, went on a Valentine’s yoga journey to deliver a special love letter to a magical heart tree.

“Perhaps we need to fly to there!” said Bree. Bree and Ben sat down and began flapping their knees like wings. 

Butterfly Pose 

Sit with a straight spine, knees bent and the soles of the feet together. Hold the feet or toes with the hands, relax the knees then gently flap them up and down for a for breaths. 

“I think we need to crawl under the rainbow bridge,” said Ben, “Let’s stretch first.” They folded forward, then walked their hands out in front, stretching their spines and legs. Flowers covered the ground, and they sniffed the sweet scent. “Look at all the heart-shaped roses!” he said.

Downward-Facing Dog 

Begin on all fours. Hands under shoulders, fingers spread wide, and knees under hips. Tuck your toes under lift your hips up until your body forms an upside down "V". Straighten your legs while pushing your heels toward the floor. Relax your head and look at your toes. 

On the other side of the rainbow bridge, they found a still pond covered with lovely water lilies. Jumping like frogs, they hopped from one heart-shaped lily pad to another. “Ribbit! Ribbit! Almost there!” they laughed. 

Frog Pose 

Stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart and your toes turned out. Bend your knees and lower your hips toward the floor. Press your elbows into your thighs. Bring your palms together in front of your heart. Lengthen your spine and lift the crown of your head. 

Once they reached the garden, they stood tall and pretended to be big, beautiful trees with heart-shaped leaves swaying in the wind. 

Tree Pose 

Stand tall in Mountain pose. Bend one knee and turn it out to the side. Place the foot on calf. Bring your hands together at your heart then lift them above your head. Balance. Breathe. Repeat on the opposite side. 

“Oh no, we must not let our love letter blow away! We must protect it from the wind,” they cried. 

Warrior I 

Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Step back with one leg, turn the toes out at an angle. Square your hips toward the front leg. Bend your front knee until it's at a 90-degree angle, or as far as you can comfortably go. Inhale and raise your arms overhead, keeping them straight with your palms facing each other. Hold the pose for a few breaths. Repeat on the opposite side. 

Now, how were they going to find the magical heart tree? They reached their arms and feet out wide, becoming shining stars to light the way. “It’s over there!” they cheered.

Star Pose

Stand in mountain pose with your feet hip-width apart. Step your feet out wide, turning the toes out. Extend your arms out to your sides. Press down through your feet. Shine like a star!

Arriving at the magical tree, they lay on their bellies and slipped the love letter into the heart-shaped opening. 

Cobra Pose 

Lie on your belly. Feet hip-width apart and toes pointed back. Place your hands on the ground, just outside of your shoulders. Bend your elbows and keep them close to your sides. Inhale and lift your head and chest. Look forward, breathe, release. 

The magical heart tree began to sparkle and glow. Bree and Ben heard a whisper, “Thank you for your love.”  They rolled over onto their backs and imagined all the love spreading across the world like little sparkles.

“Namaste,” they said, smiling at each other. Their yoga adventure had filled their hearts with love and laughter. 

Rest Pose 

Lie on your back on a flat surface with your arms and legs spread out comfortably. Close your eyes. Rest. 

We hope you enjoyed this Valentine Yoga Storytelling Adventure as much as we did!

And...we’ve got NEWS!

We’re gearing up for the launch of our 6th book, The Wish Fish, and we want you to be part of it! As a launch team member, you get an opportunity to help shape our success. Here’s how it works;

🐟 Read an exclusive early copy of The Wish Fish.

🐟 Prepare an honest review

🐟 Buy the book for FREE on launch day (guarantees your review will show as a verified purchase)

🐟 Leave the review at Amazon on launch day

Easy peasy, right? We hope you’ll join; launch team members get a chance to win a signed paperback copy when the book goes LIVE!

Ready to join this exciting journey? Sign up today and be a part of something extraordinary! Click the link > https://bit.ly/3CXQCE8

XOXO,

Kathe and Mel

 

Thanksgiving: A time to celebrate abundance, generosity, and humility

 

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and as it nears, it encourages us to reflect on abundance, generosity, and humility!

It's a season of gathering with loved ones, sharing a feast, and expressing gratitude. Beyond the celebration, it offers a chance to embrace these timeless values.

Abundance: True abundance goes beyond material wealth. It’s about recognizing life’s richness—family, friendships, nature, and moments of joy. Thanksgiving reminds us to appreciate not just the food on the table, but the intangible blessings around us.

Generosity: Thanksgiving is also about sharing our blessings. Generosity, whether through a meal, kind words, or time, spreads goodness. Even small acts of kindness can have a big impact, creating a cycle of giving and receiving.

Humility: Humility grounds us in gratitude, reminding us that our blessings are not solely our own doing. Thanksgiving invites us to stay thankful for the people and experiences that have shaped us, fostering a deeper connection and joy.

As we celebrate, may we reflect on life’s abundance, practice generosity, and embrace humility. By doing so, we create a more compassionate and connected world!

Our title “The Magic Peach Tree” abounds with abundance, generosity, and humility! And we are overjoyed to share that it has been included in the Elite Books 4 Kids Gift Guide. Every year a team of 6 Junior Reviewers read and critique hundreds of books. These books, from self-published indie authors, are carefully screened and approved. We are so very grateful to have been included!

Check out the online catalog and please feel free to share the link with anyone you think may benefit > https://2ly.link/20WnF

In addition, The Magic Peach Tree eBook will be free Nov. 18, 19, 20, get it while you can. It just may be a great conversation starter!

Grab it here > mybook.to/themagicpeachtree

XOXO,

Kathe and Mel

Tap, tap, tap

 

So many things to celebrate this month. Groundhog Day, the play of light - shadow or no shadow … baby, it’s been cold outside!! Mardi Gras, laissez les bons temps rouler - let the good times roll and Valentine’s Day, we all need a little sweetness in our life!

We thought we'd send a little love your way with another simple yet powerful technique you can add to your emotional wellness toolkit - it is called Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT. Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as 'Tapping', has been shown to be effective for reducing stress, worry, and anxiety in adults and recent studies have shown it can benefit children too.

Emotional wellness is defined as the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times. Research has shown that mindful movement and conscious breathing are highly effective to calm the body and shift emotions and that is one of the reasons we practice yoga! EFT is essentially a body-mind practice too.

EFT involves tapping on specific meridian points on the body while repeating a mindfulness statement. It is a self-healing technique (with no negative side effects) which combines ancient Chinese wisdom with modern day neuroscience. 

Did you know that emotions like stress, worry, and anxiety can get ‘stuck’ in the body? Meridians are pathways where energy flows throughout our body, and emotions are energy in motion. When they get ‘stuck’ they cause problems. Neuroscience tells us there is a direct link to these meridian points and the stress center of the brain, and tapping on these points sends a message that calms it down.  

Another interesting component of EFT is the use of mindfulness statement. Statements are like stories we tell ourselves. The brain is like a computer, it stores data that is input. I like to think tapping erases the old story, so we can rewrite a new one.

You don’t need to understand how or why it works. It’s really pretty simple and takes almost no time. Curious? 

Of course, you should try it on yourself before introducing it to your child. Here are some tips to get started.

• Familiarize yourself with the tapping points
• Have a light-hearted manner and make it fun
• Go slow, work on one issue at a time
• Remember, all emotions are valid and acceptable
• Gentle taps, about 7 times on each point

First, begin by identifying an emotion. Encourage your child to express how they are feeling. Keep it simple to start; scared, sad, angry, worried. Then create a mindfulness statement that starts with a feeling.

Example; worry, scared

 "Even though I'm feeling anxious, I know I can handle whatever happens."

"Even though I'm feeling scared, I know that I am safe."

Next, tap through the points. If you notice a yawn, it’s working. Yawns are one way the body-mind releases emotions. If you don't notice anything right away, no worries. Trust the process. End with a slow deep breath in and out, then hug your child!

There are lots of resources available to learn more about EFT. We believe nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our children, perhaps you will find tapping an effective tool for your child along with the practice of yoga. By teaching children to focus on self-care, we can help them self-regulate and build resilience.  

Drum roll…this month’s giveaway, “The Magic Peach Tree” ebook. This title came out last fall, reviews are slowly trickling in and they are fantastic! Here are a couple of short but sweet ones.  

"This book was wonderful: beautifully written, simple storytelling that’s easy for all readers to grasp, and absolutely stunning images. It teaches lessons of mindfulness and kindness, as well as descriptions of various yoga poses to match with elements of the story. Very creative!"

"What a beautiful tale of kindness and generosity. The story begins with an old man who appears to be a homeless beggar. When he is mocked by a local shop keeper, the villagers come to his rescue and as thanks, he performs a miraculous deed. Tied in with yoga poses, this story will be delightful to read and pose with your little ones!"

"The story is wise and really fascinating. Little kids are riveted by it. My niece loves to stare at the pictures. All the yoga poses are super cool too. It's a great 2-in-1 kind of book. Great buy!"

We’d love for you to read and review too if you feel so inclined. It will be FREE Wednesday and Thursday, February 21 and 22.

 Grab it here; mybook.to/themagicpeachtree

 

 May all children be calm, confident, and compassionate.

XOXO

Kathe and Mel

A Winter Wonderland Sequence

 

Happy Holidays! Take your kids on A Yoga Storytelling Adventure with this winter wonderland sequence and celebrate the solstice, and yuletide!

We encourage you to take time this winter break to practice yoga with your child. Beginning or renewing a practice will help them to develop healthy habits for overall well-being; physical, mental, and emotional health.

The constant demand of schoolwork, relationships, and responsibilities can overwhelm and exhaust kids. Yoga can help relieve stress and help kids find their inner calm.

In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become a part of kids’ lives. Stress is the body’s natural response to demands or threats. When we encounter a stressful situation our sympathetic nervous system kicks into high gear and releases hormones that tell the body to fight, freeze, or flee.

Stress can lead to headaches, digestive issues, a weak immune system and can even cause anxiety as well as sleep disturbances in children. Yoga is a powerful tool for managing stress, it restores balance to the nervous system relieving physical symptoms and the underlying mental and emotional causes.

Over time, kids learn how to respond rather than react when faced with challenges. Yoga gives kids an opportunity for self-reflection and self-regulation while fostering self-care.

Even a simple practice offers significant benefits. Slow mindful movements and awareness of the breath release tension in both body and mind. Add in a bit of imaginative play and kids will find stress melt away!

Enjoy this short Winter Wonderland story and yoga sequence. Hold each pose for a couple of breaths. Move slowly into and out of the poses and remember to do asymmetrical poses on both sides!

1.  Winter Wonderland Circles – Seated Hip Circles

I sit at the window, it’s my favorite time of the year. I watch and I wait, soon a winter wonderland will appear!

Sit tall in Easy pose with legs crossed. Place hands on knees. Circle the upper body in one direction for a few breaths and then reverse the circle.

Benefit - promotes mobility and flexibility to the spine and hips.

2.  Falling Snowflakes – Standing Side Stretch

Big, fat flakes are falling. From the sky they come down. They land on the earth and cover the ground.

From Mountain pose slowly inhale and lift one arm up then exhale as you reach over for a gentle side stretch. Pause and feel the stretch. Switch arms and repeat the stretch on the opposite side. Inhale as you lift your arm, exhale as you bend. Mindfully move from side to side a few times. Notice the strength of our arms and legs. Wiggle your fingers!

Benefit – stretches the shoulders and arms, increases spinal mobility and improves breathing capacity

3.  Snowy Tree – Tree Pose

Snow settles on the big, old fir tree. The branches are drooping, how heavy they must be.

From Mountain pose come onto the toes of one foot. Turn the knee out to the side and rest the toes on the ground or place the sole of the foot on the lower leg. Bring your hands together at your heart and slowly reach your arms overhead. Balance and breathe. Release the pose and repeat with the opposite foot.

Benefit – improves balance, and develops a strong core

4.  Sledding – bow pose

Now everything is covered in glistening white. I think I’ll go sledding. Yes, I just might.

Lie on your belly and bend your knees, then reach back and grasp your ankles. Inhale and lift the head, chest, and knees. Exhale in the pose and take another breath in and out. Release the pose.

Benefit - tones the back and strengthens abdominal muscles

5.  Downhill skier – chair pose

Mom likes to ski downhill. I haven’t tried it yet. Perhaps, this year I will.

Stand tall in Mountain pose, inhale and lift the arms up in front of the body, then exhale and bend the knees as you are sitting back in a chair. Hold the pose for a breath or two. Release.

Benefits – strengthens legs, upper back, lower back, and shoulders

6.  Snowboarder – Warrior II

Dad loves to snowboard. It looks like so much fun. When he comes to what he calls the finish line he always hollers, “Scored!”

From Mountain pose step back with the right foot. Turn the foot out and the torso to the side. Inhale and lift the arms to shoulder height, exhale and bend the left knee as you look out over the left fingertips. Release and step back into Mountain pose before repeating Warrior II on the opposite side.

Benefits – strengthens the legs and opens the chest.

7.  Ice Skater – Warrior III

The neighborhood kids gather at the ice-skating rink. I’m not sure I would like it, what if the ice breaks? I’d sink.

From Mountain pose reach forward and lift one leg behind you. Arms can be stretched out in front of you or opened out into a big T. Gently release and repeat on the opposite side.

Benefits – creates body stability, strengthens feet and ankles, improves balance

8.  Snow angels – Savasana

When all is said and done, I think snow angels are the best. Come and join me, please be my guest!

Lie on your back. Sweep the arms and legs out to the side creating a snow angel. Then bring the arms and legs into stillness and rest for a breath or two.

Benefits – Savasana resets the nervous system 

Take a look at some of the adventures we've had in the last couple of months. As always we are grateful for your support!

You can check out the youtube READ ALOUD from 

Peace Love Learn here  

https://youtu.be/yMN2Ce8PQYQ?feature=shared

Om shanti, shanti, shanti

May we have peace in our hearts, peace in our homes, and peace in the world

xoxo

Kathe and Mel

 

Making a BIG SPLASH!

Our newest title recently launched and it's making a BIG SPLASH! 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews are coming in!!

This is what Leigh Ann had to say,

"This is my first time reading a yoga story, and I couldn't have started with a better one. Revolving around Hawaiian culture, this story tells us of two brothers who save a shark, but then break a rule within their village. Their father seeks help with their punishment via the Shark God, and not to ruin it, but it does have a happy ending.

The book starts with a quote from the Dalai Lama, followed by a letter to parents, and then leads into some quick instruction on the Hawaiian language. The story begins, and with some beautiful illustrations throughout, takes us on a wonderful Hawaiian journey. Not finished yet, the book then leads us through Loving-Kindness Compassion Meditation and ends with 4 pages of yoga poses that coincide with the story.

I love everything about this book. It is packed, cover to cover, with so much, and I am here for it. I can't wait to get a physical copy of it in my hands to share with my family."

Mel and I took a trip to Hawaii several years back, we were both captivated and enthralled by the magnificence. We gave a yogic twist to this terrific tale in honor of the people and customs of the islands and feedback like this is more than a little heartwarming!!

This Yoga Storytelling Adventure takes us on a captivating journey to Hawaii, where two boys free a shark struggling in the sand. In celebration the boys beat the High Chief's drum, which is kapu, forbidden. What will happen now?

In this timeless tale, courage, perseverance, and compassion are exemplified. Although intended for ages 4 to 8, SHARK LOVERS and kids of all ages will be enthralled. 

Included is a Hawaiian word guide to help develop an appreciation of a different language, and best of all, a full description of yoga poses make the story come alive as you go on A Yoga Storytelling Adventure!

We'd love to hear from you too! Grab your FREE eBook June 9 and 10, and kindly leave a review when you have a moment. One or two sentences will do!

Get it here > mybook.to/Kauhuhu

Oh, and check this out....we have a treat for teachers and homeschool parents too. The Toolkit has creative curriculum ideas, concepts to consider, and conversation starters. A great companion to the book!

You can find it @www.ayogastorytellingadventure.com

Creating calm, confident, and compassionate kids through story and yoga,

Kathe and Mel

Spring into Yoga

A simple sequence just in time for the Spring Equinox to bring balance to kids’ AND adults’ bodies and minds!

Yoga is an ideal exercise for parents and children to practice together. It gets energy moving when the body is slow and slows down energy when the body is overactive.

No special equipment is needed. Comfy clothes, bare feet, a non-slip surface, and space to move is all that’s required. Yoga mats are nice but not necessary. Try this springtime sequence outside on a big towel.

Practicing with your child helps them to develop healthy habits for overall well-being. Don’t worry about kids getting the pose perfect. The most important thing is to get them to listen to their body, move slowly, and become aware of the breath.

Now let’s become a Wildflower as we go on A Yoga Storytelling Adventure!

1.  Seed – Child’s pose

Imagine you are a little seed.

Come down to your knees and sit back on your feet. Fold forward bringing your head to the ground. You can stretch your arms out in front palms down or place them back alongside the body with the palms face up.

You are a little seed covered with soil waiting to wake up. Stay here for a few breaths, breathing in and out slowly. Feel your connection to the earth.  

2. Sprout – Downward facing dog pose

Spring rains fall and the sun warms the earth. The seed sprouts.

From child’s pose come onto hands and knees. Hands under shoulders. Knees under hips. Spread your fingers wide like spider webs. Curl the toes under and straighten the legs lifting the hips up and back as you come into downward facing dog pose. Look at your toes. Stay here for a couple of slow breaths as you enjoy the stretch.

3. Seedling – Mountain pose

The sprout unfurls into a seedling.

From downward facing dog pose walk your feet forward, then slowly roll up to standing, the head is the last to come up. Stand tall, feel your feet firmly planted like roots growing down into the ground and your head lifted high to the sky. Take a few breaths as you reach for the sun.

4. Bend in the breeze – Side Stretch pose

Gentle breezes help you to grow strong.

From mountain pose slowly inhale and lift one arm up then exhale as you reach over for a gentle side stretch. Pause and feel the stretch. Switch arms and repeat the stretch on the opposite side. Inhale as you lift your arm, exhale as you bend. Mindfully move from side to side a few times. Notice the strength of our arms and legs.

5. Grow tall – Star Pose

Sunshine and rain help you to grow strong.

From mountain pose step the feet out and lift the arms up. Breathe deeply in and out as you imagine the soft rain and warm sunshine nourishing you from fingertips to toes. Lift your face to the sky in gratitude. 

6. Blossom and Leaf – Tree Pose

You are ready to blossom!

From mountain pose come onto the toes of one foot. Turn the knee out to the side and rest the heel on the ankle or lower leg. This is your little leaf bud. Press down into your standing leg reaching your roots deep into the ground. Bring your heads together at your heart and slowly reach your arms overhead. This is your blossom. Breath, balance and appreciate your strength.

7. Butterflies and bees – Warrior III

Butterflies and bees sip your sweet nectar.

From mountain pose reach forward and lift one leg behind you. Arms can be stretched out in front of you or opened out into a big T. Imagine a butterfly or a bee flying by to sip your sweet nectar.  Balance and breathe as your offer your sweetness to others.  Release the pose and repeat on the opposite side. 

8.  Wildflower – Easy Pose

You are a sweet-smelling wildflower and bring happiness to the world.

Sit in easy pose. Legs crossed and hands resting on your knees. Close your eyes. Feel your seat on the ground and your head reach high to the sky. Smile as you breathe in and out. Sunshine and rain have nourished you. You have grown strong. Butterflies and bees dance all around you. 

Springtime blessings,

Kathe

P.S. Home school parent, elementary teacher or school librarian? We've got companion products for each of our books! Check them out @ www.ayogastorytellingadventure.com

Spring into Homeschooling!

Homeschooling or considering homeschooling?

We are thrilled to announce Mel’s upcoming podcast interview with Bex Buzzie on The Homeschool Advantage.

Listen here https://realedtalk.podbean.com/   

If you homeschool or are considering homeschooling you won’t want to miss this.

Bex Buzzie is a teacher, coach and educational course content creator from San Diego, California. She connects homeschoolers to vendors, curriculum content creators, coops and more. The Homeschool Advantage is here to give you the leg up in a world that is slightly upside down.

For several decades now there has been a huge exodus from the public school system and it will probably continue. Tons of resources are available, and parents may feel overwhelmed as they research suppliers.

The Homeschool Advantage works as a liaison. Parents can connect with the creator of content and see if what they offer resonates with them. A win-win!

We know parents as educators are innovators themselves and are continuously looking to expand their curriculums. We hope we can help them to fulfill their mission with a fun way to incorporate social emotional learning, mindful movement, and imaginative play into the homeschool classroom with A Yoga Storytelling Adventure.

Parents and teachers are discovering ways to use story and yoga creatively in the classroom with our FREE 10 page Resource Guide filled with tips.

Get it here www.ayogastorytellingadventure.com/freebies

All 3 eBooks will be FREE for this promo March 2 and 3

Reviews mean the world to indie authors because they help more people notice their books. If you read one of the books, please consider leaving a review at Amazon, we’d love to hear your honest feedback!

 getbook.at/peaceandquiet

getbook.at/foreverfriends

getbook.at/theimpossibledream

With the magic of story and the wisdom of yoga let the adventure begin!

Kathe and Mel

Emotional Wellness for Kids

Emotional wellness is defined as the ability to process feelings in a healthy and positive way and manage the stress of everyday life.

Children may experience pressure from parents, teachers, peers and even from within themselves. This pressure can take many forms; some are minor bothers and others are major disturbances. Children must develop resilience in order to respond and adapt. Emotional wellness helps us see things from a different perspective.

Our goal as parents, teachers and caregivers is to help children realize that the world is a better place because they are in it, that they have something to contribute. This motivates them and gives them purpose.

Not all stress is a bad thing. Children learn about themselves as they learn about stress. Stress challenges us and successfully managing stressful situations enhances a child's ability to cope with future difficulties.  They learn how to traverse life’s mountains and valleys. However, when the stress is intense, it can affect the body, mind, and emotions.

Consistent daily stresses, though minor, often have consequences and we know major events can have lasting effects on health and well-being. Individual temperament determines how a child perceives and responds to stress as does age and development. Some children are naturally easy going, whereas change can throw others off balance.

Children can improve their ability to handle stress. Emotional support from family and friends helps, as does having previously succeeded in managing life’s challenges and strong sense of self-esteem is essential. 

Yoga has proven to have positive impacts on health including helping children to enhance their sense of self-esteem.  In numerous studies, yoga has repeatedly been shown to;

·         Increase self-confidence

·         manage stress and anxiety

·         regulate emotions

·         reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity

Yoga is more than exercise. Although exercise actives the mind in addition to the body, the practice of yoga is meant to bring the two together. The word yoga means union, and it is much more than merely the postures most of us are familiar with. 

Yoga offers a release from our day to day stress. It focuses on the action of connecting breath and movement. Yoga can help kids learn to live in the moment, focus on the task at hand, and handle problems peacefully.

Each particular posture has been cultivated over thousands of years to bring about effects in the mind and body. The postures not only stretch muscles they also constrict muscles. Children become more aware of their body and how it functions. Some poses are more difficult than others and kids should go slow and take it easy. 

The more often your child practices yoga, the greater the benefits. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends yoga as a safe and potentially effective therapy for children coping with emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral health conditions. Childhood is a great time to create healthy habits including yoga. Creating a yoga practice habit can have many positive impacts, some of the physical benefits include improved;

·          balance, strength and flexibility

·          coordination and concentration

·         digestive system and so much more 

Conscious breathing and a simple pose or two can be important tools for managing stresses as well as everyday challenges. Introduce your child to yoga with A Yoga Storytelling Adventure! 

Click on the link to get your FREE ebook; Wednesday and Thursday, October 12 and 13 for Emotional Wellness Month!

getbook.at/theimpossibledream

getbook.at/foreverfriends

getbook.at/peaceandquiet

We are grateful for the Reads and the REVIEWS!!

Paperbacks always available (see the sidebar) and remember Books make Great Gifts!

Om Shanti, 

Kathe