Book Walk and Giveaway!

As former librarians Mel and I were in charge of a Book Walk during the Summer Reading Program kick-off many years ago. I decided it was time to put one together for one of our books. So much fun!!

A Book Walk incorporates reading/literacy and usually the outdoors, it is often set up in a park. Perfect for a vendor event. A local Farmers and Artisan Market is one of my favorites places to sell as well as meet interesting people!

I chose A Yoga Storytelling Adventure; Forever Friends, a wisdom tale about a majestic elephant and a homeless dog, illuminating kindness, honesty, and friendship. Perfect for the dog friendly farmers market.

You can make a Book Walk yourself, here’s a list of materials you’ll need.

•       2 copies of the book
•      Real Estate Sign boards with H stakes 
•      Velcro dots
•      Utility knife, cutting surface, ruler
•      Scissors and tape
•      Construction paper
•      Glue stick or double sided tape
•     the pages will need to be laminated

As a former librarian and children’s author it was pretty tough to cut up our books but I reminded myself that the story was being transformed into something newly beautiful. I began by deconstructing the book, using the utility knife and a ruler to cut a straight edge. Go slow. You want your lines to be straight. Cut the pages out of both books, stacking each book separately.

You’ll be using pages from both stacks to put the book back together in the right order. Line up each page with its other half. Using a small piece of tape, secure the top, middle and bottom of the pages together.

I chose to place my book pages on construction paper which serves as a background border, but this is optional. Tape the construction paper together. Use the glue stick or double sided tape and place your book pages on your background boarder. Number each page 1, 2, … so that when participants come upon the Book Walk they will know where to begin.

Using your word processor create a page that says Book Walk along with any other information you want to share. This page goes next to the cover image of the book. Everything is now ready for laminating.

Once your pages are laminated they will need to be trimmed. Trim the laminated pages leaving a 1” boarder so that your story will be waterproof. Go slow; sometimes the scissors slip through the laminate!

Time to add the Velcro dots. Put the dots together and stick them to the four corners on the backside of the book pages (as well as the middle if your book is on the large size). Next place the pages on your sign where you want them to line up before you remove the remaining sticky back. Once the sticky backs are removed carefully press into place. Do this for all your pages.

Your Book Walk is ready for display! Gently push your H-stands into the ground. Space them about 8 to 10 feet apart depending on the length of the route and the number of pages in the book. It’s best if readers can see the next page up ahead. Then slide your real estate signs over the wire. Walla, you are ready to go!

Giveaway!! 

All three ebooks will be FREE for International Literacy Day. Celebrate mental literacy, emotional literacy and physical literacy with A Yoga Storytelling Adventure.  Mark your calendars and grab them while you can. We would love for you to read them and a review is always appreciated!

Save this post and click on the links below to “buy now for free” on September 8 and 9. These will take you to the ebook. Of course, the paperback is available for purchase and the link is on the right hand side of this page. ;-)

getbook.at/theimpossibledream

getbook.at/foreverfriends

getbook.at/peaceandquiet

Enjoy your adventure!

Kathe

What's the buzz?

 

The world of yoga is immense, there is always something new to learn. I recently discovered that humming boosts immunity! Most of us know that gentle yoga practices build a strong immune system. You may be thinking, ok, but what does humming have to do with yoga? Well, here's the story. 

Brahmari, humming bee breath is a yoga breathing practice. Brahmari can help to balance the autonomic nervous system, and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms us down. Benefits in and of themselves, yet scientific research has found an added benefit to humming. It produces nitric oxide!

Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule that’s produced naturally by your body, and it’s important for many aspects of your health. NO relaxes blood vessels, causing them to widen and increase circulation allowing blood, nutrients and oxygen to travel through the body effectively. NO is known to be antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial. Nitric Oxide is produced in the paranasal sinuses, a group of four air-filled spaces that surround the nasal cavity. Humming increases NO levels opening up airways and killing pathogens. I didn’t know any of this!

Let’s talk a bit about the practice of breathing in yoga, and its effects on our overall well-being. Yoga philosophy sees our breath as the physical manifestation of prana. Prana can be considered the lifeforce of the universe. Breath brings life to our being, without breath there is no life. Breath practices in yoga are called pranayama. One of the big benefits of pranayama is its ability to calm us down.

According to research studies mental health difficulties are a global issue. Psychological distress such as depression and anxiety are on the rise. One way we can take care of ourselves is through the practice of pranayama. The flow of breath regulates the movement of life force-prana in our bodies. Our breath keeps us alive and vibrant.

Pranayama is different than our natural breathing. It is the conscious, deliberate regulation of the breath. Pranayama can have a strong effect on the body and mind. Therefore, breathing exercises should be practiced with awareness. It is best to practice a couple of hours after eating or on an empty stomach. Always spend a few minutes afterwards in rest pose, this allows the nervous system to absorb the benefits of the practice.

Brahmari, humming bee breath, is appropriate for beginners. It is a simple exercise, practiced regularly it helps to boost immunity. Brahmari can have a significant impact on our physiological system. It reduces stress, induces calmness, enhances sleep, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, increases lymphatic circulation and creates new neural pathways in the brain. All of these promote health and well-being!

How to Practice

Sit tall in easy pose, sitting mountain, or in a chair with your feet flat on the ground. Feel your seat upon the earth, let it be steady, stable and secure and your head lifted high towards the sky. Close your eyes. Soften the jaw. Choose a hand position.

1. One hand on the belly and one hand on the heart.

2. Cover your ears with your hands.

3. Close the ears with the thumbs and place the fingers on top of your head.

Relax your shoulders. With mouth closed, inhale through your nose, then exhale slowly and gently though your nose making a “hummmmm” sound. Pause, then inhale and repeat. Beginners should practice for 3 minutes working up to 5 - 10 minutes. Brahmari can be practiced several times a day if you feel you are coming down with a respiratory infection, sinusitis or are just feeling unwell.  

When doing this exercise, the vibrations you might feel are helping increase air circulation and the production of nitric oxide in your nasal and sinus cavities. The vibrations certainly feel like a buzz! Most of us associate humming with happiness and you may notice that it’s difficult to hum and feel bummed at the same time.

Happiness and health!

Kathe

Shall we dance?

                                  Nataraja Lord of the Cosmic Dance

Most of us take things too seriously. We invest in our issues, our dramas. Wondering, should I, shouldn't I? We have a vision of the way things should be, could be, ought to be. Obviously, this is a big source of stress. However, if you take an issue and look at it from another perspective, injecting a bit of humor, you laugh. It's very liberating when we learn to take ourselves lightly. 

Vision motivates us, providing momentum to act and that's important. What would life be without dreams and desires? They give us direction and light our way, but stuff happens. We're not in control of illness, loss, or misunderstanding. All we can do is respond in the best way possible. When you see your own drama, you see how you get trapped in a story. You see how the mind appears to make it real. Yet we are so much more than our stories. Can you imagine getting to a place and just allowing things to happen without adding to the drama by creating a story around it? Wouldn't it be great to realize that it's all just the process of life? 

Consciousness has an ability that allows us to deal with our issues responsibly with a certain lightness. The Sanskrit word for dance is called Lila. Lila is the dance or play of life. Dance - play does not mean insignificant; it means it has the quality of lightness. Imagine consciously moving through the dance of life. It's delightful when you spend time with someone and both of you can see what lies beyond appearances. Life then becomes free, a chance to play and dance! Though we can't force anyone to come out and play, we can always ask...shall we dance?

Enjoy the dance, Kathe

When the rubber meets the road

 

In yoga we learn about awareness; awareness of our body, awareness of our breath, awareness of our emotions, awareness of our thoughts. Yoga is a life-long practice of cultivating awareness in all its forms and it truly begin when we step off the mat, that's when the rubber meets the road. 

When the rubber meets the road is the point at which a theory or idea is put to a practical test. It's the moment of truth, it's the reason we practice! It lets us know if we've learned anything or if we've just been going through the motions. 

The very essence of yoga is to reconnect to the Divine, within ourselves and others. Yoga teaches us that we are all One; everything, everyone, every experience and every relationship is a pathway to the Divine. 

So, how do we cultivate awareness? How do we reconnect with the Divine? How do we connect with others while staying connected to ourselves? Well one way is the practice of Loving-Kindness meditation. Loving-Kindness meditation is likened to the butterfly effect or life ripples in a pond. It starts with ourselves and moves outward. 

It is very simple and only takes a few minutes. Loving-Kindness meditation has been part of my daily practice for many years. Choose any contemplative posture, a soft comfortable chair, a meditation cushion, or even lying down, which happens to be my favorite. I do it before getting out of bed in the morning! I hope you give it a try. 

Repeat silently or softly. 

May I receive loving-kindness, may I be safe and well, may I be happy, free and joyous. 

May my family receive loving-kindness, may they be safe and well, may they be happy, free and joyous. 

May my friends receive loving-kindness, may they be safe and well, may they be happy, free and joyous. 

May all beings receive loving-kindness, may they be safe and well, may they be happy, free and joyous. 

It's easy to practice yoga on the mat, yet the true practice happens off the mat. We must offer loving-kindness to everyone! Yes even the so-in-so who cuts you off in traffic...may they be safe, the grumpy co-worker...may they be happy, the addicted person on the street...may they be free. Remember, we are One. 

Loving-Kindness meditation will transform your life. As you focus on loving-kindness you will begin to feel more connected; to the Divine, to yourself, and to others. Like the ripples in a pond and the flapping of the butterfly's wings you never know how far your prayers will reach. 

May YOU receive loving-kindness, may YOU be safe and well, may YOU be happy, free and joyous!

Kathe

 

 

 

 

Praise to the Jewel in the Lotus

Om mani padme hum, this Sanskrit chant is pronounced OHM MAH NEE PAHD MAY HUM. All the Buddha's teachings are held in this one phrase. This ancient Buddhist mantra translates as "Praise to the Jewel in the Lotus."

There are different meanings and different opinions as to what each syllable represents. It is commonly thought that each syllable represents one of the six goals of existence and that the mantra purifies our heart-mind as it brings forth the qualities of the goal...the lotus blossoms and the jewel is revealed. 

Let's look at each syllable; 

OM - represents divine energy and purifies the ego

MA - represents ethics and purifies jealousy

NI - represents patience and purifies passion

PAD - represents diligence and purifies ignorance

ME - represents concentration and purifies greed

HUM - represents wisdom and purifies hatred

It is chanted over and over again to invoke the loving and unconditional qualities of compassion. The practice of this mantra connects us to our innate loving and compassionate nature. Within all of us is a lotus flower, it grows up out of the mud and muck to become a beautiful, fragrant blossom. 

Including this ancient mantra in an asana practice transforms it. The mantra can be chanted aloud or silently. I've added it to the six basic spinal moves, perfect for a morning practice. It takes about 6-10 minutes total. I do hope you give it a try.

Your spine can move in six directions; forward bend, backward bend, right side stretch, left side stretch, right twist, and left twist. Not only can it move in six directions, it needs to move in all six directions every day for optimal health. The health of the spine is the health of the nervous system! 

Begin sitting tall in easy pose - sitting mountain. Bring the hands together at the heart, leaving a small space between the palms. Imagine holding a precious jewel. 

Next, with eyes closed consider the story this month; Praise to the Jewel in the Lotus as you open the hands into Lotus Mudra, fingers spread, thumbs and pinkie fingers stay touching. 

Inhale and reach the arms out to the side and overhead bringing the hands to gently touch as you repeat the mantra; Om mani padme hum. 

Exhale as you stretch over to the right side, right hand touches the earth and left hand reaches over, the left elbow lifts high to the sky, repeat the mantra. 

Inhale and come back to sitting tall as you round the arms overhead bringing the hands to gently touch, repeat the mantra. 

Exhale as you stretch over to the left side, left hand touches the earth and right hand reaches over, the right elbow lifts high to the sky, repeat the mantra. 

Inhale and come back to sitting tall as you round the arms overhead bringing the hands to gently touch, repeat the mantra.

Exhale and fold forward, bring the hands to the earth, walk them out and round the head, neck and upper back down to the ground, repeat the mantra. 

Inhale as you lift the head and neck in line with the spine, walk the hands back towards the body as you lift the shoulders. Exhale and bring the hands down behind the back, lifting the heart and come into a gentle back bend. The chin stays parallel to the earth, repeat the mantra. 

Inhale and come back to sitting tall as you round the arms overhead bringing the hands to gently touch, repeat the mantra.

Exhale and gently twist to the right bringing the right hand back behind the right hip and the left hand to the inside of the left knee, repeat the mantra. 

Inhale and come back to sitting tall as you round the arms overhead bringing the hands to gently touch, repeat the mantra. 

Exhale and gently twist to the left, repeat the mantra. 

Inhale and come back to sitting tall as you round the arms overhead bringing the hands to gently touch, repeat the mantra. 

Exhale and bring the hands down in front of the heart, repeat the mantra.  

Switch out the cross of the legs, and repeat the entire sequence again. Once your hands return to the heart, open them into Lotus Mudra and rest in the Jewel for a few precious moments. Remember you are this precious jewel, you have risen out of the mud and the muck and blossomed into a beautiful, fragrant lotus flower! 

Om mani padme hum

Kathe 

Opening to Grace

 Pushpaputa mudra is a gesture of offering, you are the offering, you are opening yourself to the grace of the Divine. Pushpaputa mudra symbolizes openness of heart and mind. Practicing the mudra makes one receptive to all the Divine has to offer. 

This month we opened our practice with Pushpaputa mudra. We opened our minds and hearts to the Divine. Our story this month; I open to grace. 

This mudra invites us to be present and receptive to grace. Open to Grace - the meaning is endless. It offers us an opening to infinite possibilities. Grace is always available. It is a force that lives in us. It is a force that reveals to us our true nature. 

Often we begin our yoga practice stressed, weary or preoccupied with thoughts. As we take a seat and begin to settle down by becoming aware of the breath we start to release tension and anxiety, even our thoughts settle. When we inhale the body opens and expands. In this space we can be more gracious, open-hearted and open-minded. When we exhale we soften and let go, physically, mentally and emotionally. We open to the present moment and remember that inside of us is a quiet sweetness. Something we forget in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

One of the lessons I am learning from my yoga practice is to soften when I want to harden. I sometimes notice myself tensing up when I'm in a difficult situation. Then I remember to take a breath, soften and open to grace. To reach our fullest potential our heart and mind must be in the right place. Opening to grace means taking a moment to reflect before responding to what is before us. We soften with an attitude of acceptance and realize our inter-connectedness with the world. 

Opening to grace shows us who we really are. Through grace our individuality can be experienced as a beautifully unique expression of the Divine Whole. When we glimpse however briefly, our true nature, we begin to inherit our birthright as Divine beings. The gratitude that wells up in response to the sweetness of this experience is such that we can say nothing but "I am blessed!"

We can open to grace in any and every moment. When we practice opening to grace, we will see no distinction between the spiritual and the mundane, though we must PRACTICE!! Only then will we move through the world finding divine teachings and learnings everywhere. We will recognize grace is being offered constantly and therefore open and receive it. Opening to grace offers us the opportunity to come into harmony with all that is. 

May we remember to take deep breaths, and Open to Grace!

Hari Om

Kathe

 

 

 

Awakening the Inner Goddess

How do we connect with the divine feminine energy of the goddess? First let me say, everyone - both males and females, have masculine and feminine energy within themselves. Yang energy is masculine, Yin energy is feminine. Sun energy is masculine, Moon energy is feminine. Masculine energy give us ambition, focus, and confidence. Feminine energy give us connection, compassion, and the ability to nurture. We want a balance of all of these energies, however in today's world most of us have more masculine energy than feminine energy. 

Yoga teaches that the energy of the Universe is a power called Shakti. Shakti is both manifest power and unmanifest power - the power within all experiences. It is the power to create and the power to transform. The divine feminine at its very essence is shakti energy. It's time to reclaim the shakti that lies within each of us! 

As we begin to awaken our inner goddess her energy can demand our full attention, she wants to show us what we can be. Getting to know the goddess is like getting to know the different parts of ourselves. She is creative and destructive, light and dark, capable of giving and taking. Her powers are endless and her forms are infinite. In her fierce form she uses whatever weapons are necessary to slay jealousy, ignorance, greed, anger, and the like - you get the drift, yet behind her fierceness is love...endless love. When we embrace her totally without aversion, we can then relax into that blissful state that is our true nature. 

This month I'd like to share a breathwork practice dedicated to the divine feminine, may it awaken your inner goddess, may you receive her shakti, may wisdom, power, and love flow from your heart, and may her energy bring balance into your life. 

Our story this month; I am divine energy

                                                Goddess Pose

Begin standing in Mountain Pose with hands on hips. Inhale and step out wide and turn your feet out to 45 degrees. Exhale and bend the knees coming into a squat, the knees track over the toes. Extend the arms out at shoulder height, lift the forearms and turn the palms to face forward (cactus arms), fingers spread, keep the elbows level with the shoulders. Lengthen the spine and tuck the pelvis slightly as you pull the belly in and hold the pose for several breaths. To release the pose return the hands to the hips and inhale as you press into the feet straightening the legs, then step the feet together. 

In the benevolent form press the palms together at the heart, elbows out wide. Smile. 

Goddess Pranayama 

Straighten the legs on the inhale, squat on the exhale.

Begin in Goddess squat, knees tracking over the toes, hands at the heart. 

Inhale; hands in prayer at the heart lift and reach overhead

Exhale; round the arms down gathering energy, fingertips touch below the belly palms face upward

Inhale; with the fingertips touching lift the palms upward bringing the energy toward the heart

Exhale; turn the palms to face down and float the palms downward giving the energy back to the earth

Inhale; round the arms overhead bring the palms to touch

Exhale; round the arms down bring the energy back behind the body, fingertips touch, draw the shoulders back and lift the heart

Inhale; bend the elbows and bring the hands up towards the shoulders leading with the back of the wrists, hands are soft

Exhale; press hands out in front of the body with straight arms, palms face away 

Inhale; fold the wrists and bring the fingers to the thumbs as you open the arms out wide to the side

Exhale; float the arms back to center, prayer position at the heart, grateful for the grace of the goddess

Repeat for 3 rounds

Hari Om

Kathe

 

         

Practicing Patience during a Pandemic

Wowzer!! Who would have thought we'd ever experience a pandemic, the whole world in semi-shutdown mode? Coronavirus, aka Covid-19 showed its scary face and we shuddered in fear and disbelief. 

Many of us have learned a thing or two about ourselves, as well as others, during this once in a lifetime experience. One of the things I've learned is that I need to relearn and practice PATIENCE! Patience with the news media, the government, the manufacturers and distributors of products, and most importantly patience in personal relationships. My  energetic 7-year-old twin grandchildren moved in 2 weeks before the pandemic shut down schools ... one boy, one girl, complete opposites, YIKES!

I did the homeschooling thing back in the day with several of my boys, and as a former children's librarian I figured I could manage schooling the twinsies easy peasy. Boy oh boy, what an adventure. When my sons were young patience stayed at the top of my prayer list and I learned a few things but I realize I still have much to learn. Just like yoga, after years of practicing I still have much to learn. Yoga is considered a practice, practice is something we do over and over again to get better at it. So...I am practicing patience, not only with others but also with myself.

These are some things I've come to understand about patience. Patience creates feelings of peace and calm, as opposed to the anger and frustration that often arises with impatience. Patience has three aspects; like a story it has a beginning, a middle and an end. First there's acceptance, realizing that what's happening now is what is happening now. Next there's persistence, we must be determined to keep on keeping on, knowing life is a journey. Finally we take a few deep breaths and settle into a place of peace and calm in the face of what is. 

Patience allows us to respond instead of react to what is. When we take a breath we create a space where we often are able to act more mindfully. This is really important when things get challenging. We won't always get things right, therefore we must practice patience with ourselves. Others won't always do the right things, practice patience with them. And remember, its always alright to take a few deep breaths. Practicing patience leads to peace where we realize all shall be well...eventually. 😉

Om shanti, shanti, shanti

Peace for me, peace for my family, peace for the world. 

Kathe

Boost your confidence with practice...a yoga practice

Lack of self-confidence affects most of us, if not all of us, at some point in our lives. Self-confidence issues come in all shapes and sizes; we are unsure of many things, unsure of ourselves, unsure about where our life is going, and we often feel we are not enough. Without self-confidence we let fear take control and can end up in unpleasant situations. True confidence comes from an authentic connection to our true self. A yoga practice can provide a pathway towards this self-realization, improving well-being and boosting self-confidence. 

Yoga teaches us to self-soothe. In the quiet stillness of a posture the mind slowly relaxes. We concentrate on the breath and notice the effects on the body. The body then naturally follows the mind into relaxation. We come to realize we can breathe through tough situations and the quiet stillness that follows allows us to reassess. This ability to self-soothe restores our self-confidence. 

Yoga allows us to be at ease in our body and mind. As we practice we become aware of our limitations, as we as our potential and as we become aware of our potential we become aware of the limiting thoughts that get in our way. We learn to appreciate the amazing things we can do rather than focus on what we can't do. This helps to re-focus the mind and confidence grows. 

A lack of self-confidence often manifests as poor posture, our shoulders become rounded and our gaze shifts downward. Our body language governs how others perceive us. However, it also defines how we perceive our self, if you stand tall you send a message of confidence to your mind. BKS Iyengar once said, "Yoga does not change the way we see things, it changes the person who sees." A yoga practice can transform you, boosting your self-confidence. 

This month we practiced Camel Pose. Camel pose opens the shoulders and lifts the heart. It is an intermediate back-bend that stretches the front of the body, particularly the chest, abdomen, quadriceps, and hip flexors. It improves spinal flexibility and stimulates the kidneys. Take caution if you have a low back or neck injury otherwise give it a try, it's quite empowering!

Our story this month; I am confident. 

Camel prep; Kneel on the floor, knees hip width apart, toes curled under, thighs pressing forward, chest lifted, place the hands on the lower back, fingers pointing downward, lean back slightly letting the head fall gently back. 

Camel Pose; begin kneeling, knees slightly apart, tops of the feet flat on the floor or toes curled under, inhale as you lengthen the spine and circle the left arm overhead reaching for the left heel, exhale as the hand touches down, inhale and circle the right arm overhead reaching for the right heel, exhale as the hand touches down, press the thighs forward while lifting the chest and lift the chin. Release on arm at a time and sit back for a complete breath. Repeat the pose and lift the right arm first, then sit back and feel the powerful energy of confidence flowing through you. 

Option; Toes curled under makes it easier to reach the heels, you can also use two blocks alongside the feet to place the palms of the hands on. 

Be confident, 

Kathe

Forever Friends

A Yoga Storytelling Adventure

Forever Friends

by Melanie Moyer and Kathe Hudson

illustrated by Maïlys Pitcher

The second book in the Yoga Storytelling Adventure series is coming soon!

Here is a sneak peak at the cover illustration, Maïlys Pitcher is our talented young illustrator. She is from France and presently lives in Sweden. It was a pleasure to have her as a part of the team. 😊

This Yoga Storytelling Adventure takes us on a delightful journey to India, the birthplace of yoga. Although intended for ages 3-8, all ages will revel in this story where an unlikely friendship develops between a royal elephant and a homeless dog. In this timeless tale that illuminates kindness, honesty and friendship, kids will learn about the power of love. The authors include a Hindi word guide to help develop an appreciation of a different language. Best of all, both parents and kids can take advantage of the full description of yoga poses which encourages interaction within this adventurous tale. 

Many thanks and much gratitude to our prepublication reviewers, here's what they have to say:

Forever Friends is sure to become one of your child's favorite books with lessons that will follow into adulthood and beyond. The subtle integration of Sanskrit words honors the Indian origin of yoga, while expanding awareness of a different language and alphabet. The posture selection that accompanies the story adds a special dimension that children will enjoy. Instead of just listening to the story, the can become the story. My four-year-old grandchild loves it!

Lanier Cordell, Yoga Therapist Certified IAYT, 500 hour E-RYT, Certified Chair Yoga and Children's yoga teacher, writer and more...

As a yogi and a mother, I am always looking for better ways to keep my littles engaged in our practice. We love The Impossible Dream and were excited to read Forever Friends. The authors have the uncanny ability to reach children without dumbing down the text. The language drives my kids' curiosity while the story's relatability keeps them engaged and prevents distraction. The wholistic message keeps them talking about the lesson for days and asking to repeat the practice over and over. I couldn't ask for a more beautiful experience. 

Lori Lawson, Mother of 9

Forever Friends is an adaptation of an Indian folktale about love and friendship. This lovely tale features an unusual friendship between an elephant and a dog. As children experience the story through words, pictures, and yoga, they learn that friendships with those unlike ourselves are not only possible, but fulfilling. What a nice way to teach about friendship and diversity!

Peggy Thibodeaux, retired librarian

A delightful tale of an elephant and dog who form an unlikely friendship and become inseparable friends. The authors successfully combine storytelling and yoga to enhance children's language and mind awareness. Complete with glossary, Hindi pronunciation guide and yoga pose illustrations this book teaches children about kindness, honesty and trust. 

Kat Pigott, author of I See You, Green Dinosaur

The flow of yoga is matched by the beautiful words of this classic story. The bright pictures infuse a fresh Prana (breath) into this instructional, and delightful tale of friendship and loyalty. 

Alexis Braud, Children's Author and Illustrator

The concept of storytelling and yoga makes Forever Friends a unique reading experience not only for children but adults as well. After reading Forever Friends and The Impossible Dream, I have a great appreciation of the teaching tools the authors incorporate through languages, cultures, and folklore. Their books are such fun reads with charming illustrations. 

Patricia Maness, retired Instrumental Music Educator and author of Jerome Roams from Home and Jerome Roams Back Home.

What a wonderful story with many lessons learned introducing yoga to children. Forever Friends is a wonderful tale of friendship. The illustrations, definitions of Indian words, and the brief explanation of yoga are brought to life in the mind of a child. 

"Ms Cel" Boudreaux, Retired, Carencro Branch Library

I love the story which has the right amount of yoga for a child, and the introduction to the Hindi language is a plus. 

Kristen Knight, yoga instructor

For more information visit us at www.moving-tale.com 

Please "like" and "share"!

Mahalo, we serve. 

Risk and Commitment

"Life is a journey, not a destination." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm sure you've heard this quote before. It is often considered a misconception that encourages us to lack direction and wander about aimlessly, though perhaps we might consider it another way. 

Destinations motivate us, but it's the journey that expands our possibilities and potential. So...what if we see the experience we have along the way to be equally important as the goal - the destination we head towards?

We'd all like a guarantee before heading in a certain direction, making a decision or taking a risk, but the irony is that in taking a risk we are already committing to the outcome. Real commitment comes before knowing where anything is going. 

Most people come to yoga with some sort of goal; to reduce stress, gain strength and stamina, improve balance and stability, or to relieve chronic pain. We commit to the practice and soon realize there is much more to it. The practice is not about getting anywhere. It's about observing yourself and accepting the experience of the moment. 

In yoga we take a risk when we reach out in a pose not knowing where it will lead us, and then we commit to being where we are as we take a moment to pause. Accepting where we are, and that where we are is where we need to be leads us to realize that there is no destination, it's all about the journey! 

This month we practiced a walking meditation, perhaps you'd like to give it a try. Walk slowly around the room with eyes gazing downward and with each step feel the risk in the lifting and the commitment in the landing. Repeat silently, "There is no destination, it's all about the journey." 

Trust the journey, 
Kathe

Awaken the Greatness Within By Melanie Moyer

To awaken the greatness within we need to stop looking "out there" and begin to look within. We are raised, especially in this society, to look outside of ourselves for validation and self worth. We look "out there" for others to recognize us and make us feel praiseworthy. If others don't bestow recognition upon us or worse they criticize us we then fall apart. We look to others for acknowledgement, to tell us we are doing well, looking good or are worthy. We look "out there" for happiness and love. 

To awaken to the greatness within we need to begin to look within. Look within where your connection to God, the Source, the Light, the Divine, the Spirit, the Soul, or whatever you wish to label it resides. This is where we find that we don't need to be acknowledged by others to feel whole because we are already whole. How liberating it is to not need acknowledgement from "out there". How comforting and enlightening to awaken to the greatness within. 

One way to begin the process of awakening the greatness within is to look within through meditation. Meditation does not need to be long; it can be for as little as 3 minutes. It does not need to be complicated, simply close your eyes and start to pay attention to your breath. Watch the breath flowing in and out of your nose like it is the most fascinating thing ever...because it is...the breath is the source of life and without it nobody can live. As you watch your breath, inevitably thoughts will arise. Acknowledge the thought and then watch it float on by like a cloud in the sky and then come back to your breath. These 3 minutes can not only calm you and make your day seem to flow a little smoother, it can begin to awaken the greatness within. The time you spend is not nearly as important as practicing on a daily basis. It only takes a few moments to awaken the greatness within, but we want to give ourselves the thumbs up consistently least we fall back on relying on others to give us the thumbs up, looking "out there" rather than within. 

This passage from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass suitably sums this up:

I exist as I am, that is enough.

If no other in the world be aware, I sit content,

And if each and all be aware, I sit content. 

Last but not least I invite you to ponder these words from Paramahamsa Yogananda:

Seek spiritual riches within.

What you are is much greater than

anyone or anything else you have ever yearned for. 

Love, Light and Laughter
Melanie Moyer