5th Anniversary Summer Excitement!

I am so excited about this summer season of yoga offerings through the City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation. First off, I am celebrating my 5th year with the City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation. I have had the privilege of teaching prenatal yoga through this wonderful community center since 2010, and this would not be possible without all of the wonderful students who have joined us throughout the years. Thank you so very much for your patronage, your referrals, and your beautiful practice!

To celebrate this 5th anniversary, I have several special announcements with regards to this season’s classes.

Toddler/Preschool Family Yoga

First off, Toddler/Preschool Family Yoga is back! It’s been on hiatus for the past two years, and I am thrilled to be offering it through the Parks and Recreation. A few items to note:

• Classes are held once a month: This is on purpose, so that busy families can fit a family yoga class into their summer schedule. It is held on the second Saturday of the month. 
• The first class is on May 9th. Are you signed up yet? Here are 5 EZ Ways to sign up for classes. 
• Class price is per family: yes, that’s right! Per family. $14 drop-in or $43 for all FOUR classes. Remember they are once a month, so this covers you through August! 
• Family: You might ask “what constitutes a family for registration purposes?” Well, exactly what that means a family. Better yet – your family! A typical family is two parents, a toddler/preschooler, and an older or younger sibling, but your family is your family. Perhaps, grandma wants to come or you have four kiddos – bring them! You just need to register your toddler/preschooler through ActiveNet.    

Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga

Prenatal Yoga got a bit of a title overhaul. We have officially expanded our yoga offerings to include postnatal yoga. I have always welcomed postnatal mamas to join class and this makes it official. In addition here are a few things to note:

• Partners/birth providers: register together, and they will receive a 20% discount on their enrollment package. It is beautiful way for partners to actively engage with the expectant mama. This offer extends to the expectant mama’s birth providers, and includes doulas, midwives, etc.
• Punch card: the city is now providing an opportunity for a five-class punch card. This replaces the drop-in format, but gives students the opportunity to come to classes whenever it works for their schedule. The punch card does expire at the end of the summer (8/31/15). 
• Six-week sessions: this year’s summer sessions are in a six-week format, unlike this past season’s five-week format. I point this out because the total cost per session is a bit more due to the extra class. The price-per-class remains the same.
• Specials: On the newly updated webpage, specials are indicated under the classes, so that students can navigate the various opportunities that that city allows like the “First class FREE!” 

Well, that’s just been a mouthful of great yogic fun to rock the summer. I hope you love all the additions and changes to the classes. The Parks and Recreation’s summer season kicks off on May 1st, and runs through August 31st, and there are 5 EZ ways to sign up for class.

It’s always been a privilege and honor to work with each and every one of you, so thank you for five wonderful years.

Lisa

5 Easy Ways to Register for Classes

The City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation has created 5 Easy Ways to register for enrichment classes. 

1. ONLINE: at www.san-marcos.net/register Online registration is available 24 hours a day for most programs. First time registrants will need to create a log-in. 

2. IN-PERSON: Visit the Community Center at 3 Civic Center Drive, Monday through Friday from 8:00AM – 7:00PM. 

3. FAX: Fax to 760-752-1328. Registration form can be found at www.san-marcos.net/classes. 

4. EMAIL: Email to sanmarcosrec@san-marcos.net. Registration form can be found at www.san-marcos.net/classes. 

5. MAIL: mail to City of San Marcos, 3 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos CA 92069. Registration form can be found at www.san-marcos.net/classes. 

Processing fees are included in all advertised class prices. These non-refundable fees apply to online and in-office transactions. 

Health Experts Say Child-Focused Exercise Programs Should Integrate Fun Activities

Article: Child-Focused Exercise Programs Should Integrate Fun Activities

Are you looking for a FUN family activity? The next Toddler Family Yoga 3-week session begins on April 9.

Join us March 19!

Meditation for our ‘Moody Cows’ – book review

Here is another one of my posts about another great children’s yoga book. Moody Cow Meditates
is a fun and interactive book by Kerry Lee MacLean to help our little one manage anger through yogic teachings. Heck, this book has lessons and tools that we can all use to help us manage our anger. I found that this book is more useful for the older toddlers 4/5 years old and up as it describes in detail how our main character has a pretty terrible day. Bloody scrapes, falling off a bike, throwing a ball through the window are all part of his awful day, and that is why I would recommend it for the older toddlers. My first expectation of this book would be an interactive story about how to teach meditation to a toddler, but instead this book went into detail about what made the cow so moody to need to mediate in the first place. Getting beyond how he got to his moody place, his mother then calls up old grandfather to help set this calf straight. It is here that I find this book so wonderful and helpful. The wise old grandfather with his cool goatee takes the calf on an accessible meditative journey. He gives Master Moody tools in which helps dissolve his anger and watch them calmly fall away. Moody Cow Meditates gives our main character, and the readers, the skills needed to help us let go of our anger. Acknowledge and release. These are big concepts for the younger toddlers, but a great book for parents to have on hand when children have their first bad day. Additionally, I think this would be a useful book for high functioning autistic children and children with Asperger’s syndrome.

Help Support K-12 Arts Program

Center Artes-Storytime Fundraiser
Barnes and Noble, Oceanside
December 11 & 12
FREE

Center Artes, a K-12 arts program, is hosting a childrens storytime all day December 11 & 12 at Barnes and Noble Oceanside. They will earn a percentage of the weekend's sales, so come out and do some holiday shopping while supporting this great program.

FREE Toddler Yoga Demo: Dec 11 at 12:30 PM
I will be reading a book and hosting a toddler yoga demonstration for Center Artes. Come and join me! 

10 Good Reasons to Try Yoga

Some of my friends and family members have asked my why yoga is so great. Yeah it can make you more flexible and help you get in shape, but there are other great reasons to try yoga. Here is an article from Tri-City Wellness Library with their medical reasons to try yoga: 10 Good Reasons to Try Yoga

I like yoga because it brings me in touch with so many wonderful people and it helps me understand that we are all unique and individual. Yoga practice is as individual as you can get and the more that I immerse myself in yoga the more I realize it. From home practice to family yoga to enjoying a restorative yoga class while still craving the power vinyasa style, then stopping and enjoying the benefits of breath-work. I hope more people will try yoga and enjoy the benefits that it provides.

Happy Halloween!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful and safe Halloween. Enjoy all the great treats that life lends you!

Family Yoga Schedule Change

The class scheduled for October 23 has been rescheduled for October 30.

Next 3-week session begins on November 6.

Free Yoga October 16

Babies in Bloom is hosting a Birth and Baby Fair this Saturday, October 16, and I will be hosting the Toddler/Family Yoga class at 10:15 AM for FREE! There will be several other free classes offered that day as well as lots of giveaways. Come and join us for this awesome event!

Daily Insight -- Family Meditation

Ever thought about a meditative practice? While not make it a family affair? This article is a great resource to begin a family meditative practice. Enjoy the calming effects of mediation with your family! Daily Insight -- Family Meditation

Daily Insight -- A Family Affair

credit: mkp images

Daily Insight -- A Family Affair: Yoga Journal provides these daily insights into yoga and how you can bring them into your everyday practice. This article talks about making yoga a family affair. They note how parents should encourage breathwork and to check in with your child during the practice. There is also a link for a home practice for parent and child. Enjoy!

Toddler Yoga/Family Yoga Fall Schedule

I am excited to announce that the Fall Schedule for the Toddler Yoga/Family Yoga is now set! There are two 3-week sessions that are being offered.

Session 1: September 18, October 2 & 9, 2010
Session 2: November 6, 13, & 20, 2010

Please visit the Toddler/Family Yoga page for complete information! I look forward to seeing you and your family on the mat!

Great Toddler Yoga Book!

Little Yoga: A toddler's first book of yoga is by far my most favorite book to use when I teach my Toddler/Family yoga class. It has wonderful illustrations, simple descriptions, and toddlers love it! My daughter loves to have me read it to her at bedtime, and my students are always excited to try the poses. It is by far my best tool in my yoga class.

This book is hard to find in stores, and the parents from my class are always asking about it. Here is a link to amazon and it qualifies for free shipping! It is an affordable book that is a great way to introduce yoga to your family. No yoga experience necessary to enjoy!

7/31 Toddler Yoga; Summer Session 2 still room!

I am confirming that we will have class this Saturday, July 31 and next Saturday August 7 for those families who would like to drop-in or use their Flex plan. Please confirm your attendance no later than Friday evening of each week. This helps me plan accordingly for the class.

Summer Session 2 still has room if your family would like to attend all three classes. See my toddler page for registration information.

I hope you have had a wonderful week and your little yogi is discovering the world with you!

No Toddler-Family Yoga 7/17

We will not be hosting class this coming Saturday, July 17 as part of our regularly scheduled 'dark days.' This allows Rochelle at Babies In Bloom to have special events. This weekend they will be hosting Birth Stories Event with Natural Baby Pros. 

Classes resume again on July 24 and we are now offering 3 week sessions. Sign up early for the next session!

Now Enrolling Summer Sessions

NOW ENROLLING Toddler Family Yoga
Summer Special $40 (reg. $45)*
Session 1: July 24, July 31 & Aug 7, 2010
Session 2: Aug 21, Aug 28 & Sep 4, 2010

Come meet other like-minded parents and toddlers (ages 18 mos-5 years).
For registration information:
Visit the Toddler Family Yoga page on this blog.

No Toddler/Family Yoga 6/19

Toddler/Family Yoga class on June 19, 2010 has been cancelled.

The class will resume on June 26, 2010. Thank you!

No Class May 22

This is a reminder that there is no Toddler/Family Yoga this coming Saturday, May 22. This happens every 6-8 weeks to allow Rochelle at Babies In Bloom time and space to host special events. I think this weekend is the Ju Ju Be trunk show. I have and love my Ju Ju Be diaper backpack, so this will be a great event to attend.

Yoga Begins on May 29
This is a reminder that Toddler/Family Yoga will be held on Saturday, May 29 (Memorial Day Weekend). I have three families who have confirmed attendance, so please let me know if you plan to attend.