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“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.” -Ernest Hemingway
Warm, caring dads produce what sociologists call the “good father effect” according to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Family Psychology. Intimacy between a parent and a child acts as a protective buffer against the day-to-day challenges of life.
Research shows that a strong paternal connection helps young people to manage their emotions and deal with mental-health crises. The Harvard Education School’s Making Caring Common project found that nearly twice as many 14-to-18-year-old boys and girls feel comfortable opening up to their mothers (72%) as opposed to their fathers (39%) about anxiety, depression or other mental-health challenges.
The gap suggests that fathers can become much more involved at home, offering the kind of emotional support that many children today so urgently need. So how does that happen?
Time in and stronger skills - both of which can be learned in yoga. Family Yoga is the most popular way for dads to get involved with the kids with healthy physical fitness and mental mindset development. That’s because seeing your child requires a pause — slowing down and tuning into what's happening below the surface — and that takes practice.
There’s no better place for that than on the mat for the coordination, balance, and body awareness that serve as key building blocks for maintaining lifelong physical health and safety.
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The US has a new status update on the risks of social media. To wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month, there’s no better time to give meditation a try. Meditation helps manage anxiety and depression, and it improves sleep quality.
Can’t sit still? Take a deep breath and relax. Try these 5 ways to meditate instead…
Zone in. If closing your eyes is not comfortable, stare at something instead. Focus your attention on an object. When you your mind wanders, simply bring it back to your focal point. The more you practice, the easier it gets.
Sound on. You don’t have to sit in silence, listening to music can be helpful — try nature, classical, or high frequency sounds to soothe yourself in a comfy position. Listen to the notes and notice how your body responds to the rhythm.
Puzzle it. Turns out, a good puzzle can be its own meditative practice. You may become so immersed in the task that you detach from stressful thoughts. If you get frustrated, take a break!
Color me. Put peace at your fingertips with coloring to redirect negativity because the repetitive motion can induce relaxation. Download our favorite mandala and get some colored pencils to start now.
Step up. A walking meditation is a great alternative to sit-and-breathe. Take note of how it feels to pick up and place each foot and pause to notice your surroundings. Focus on your senses (see, smell, hear, feel). Move your body and find flow as you go.
Of course, take a yoga class or get trained to teach yoga to kids in your area because being still is a skill. Let me know which tip you like best!
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My "happy baby” boy just turned 18 years old. He’s my youngest so it’s a major milestone. I also birthed It’s Yoga Kids® when Jack was born. That means IYK is an “adult” too. What’s a mom to do?
MELTDOWN. And I did. I met my mom friends for our cold plunge at Crissy Field (Yep, 11 minutes a week in the bay!) the Friday before his birthday and I bawled my warm salty tears into the freezing salty water. A lot! Then, I dried off, shivered, equalized and realized…
I can’t nurture my son the way I did when he was young, nor can I do that for IYK. My children have grown. My business has grown. They don’t require the same amount of effort or energy anymore. None the less, I still need to show up for them the way they need me to and they can show up for me the way I need them to.
Jack is adulting. He’s responsible with school, service and work. He’s taking on more household duties and I’m sharing that load because he will be the guy to do his fair share. He’s balanced socially and he’s healthy, active and fun! I couldn’t love him any more or any less.
That’s true for IYK too. I’ve loved this business from its infancy through the terrible twos and into it’s teens. We’ve trained thousands of teachers affecting millions of children. We can do more. While I’m so excited for Jack to reach his goals independently, I’m also excited to reach mine. Look for new programs from me coming soon with the full IYK Warrior Training and NEW classes that unite physical fitness and mental health like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. I couldn't be more excited! (And that's Jack playing piano in the background.)
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It’s Mental Health Awareness month and let’s just say the kids are not alright. Neither are the adults. The mental health epidemic is at an all-time high impacting our families, our friends, and our futures.
11yrs one struggles from the onset of mental health symptoms before they receive a diagnosis
Hospitalization rates are up 25%. Many of the kids admitted were 11 to 14 years old — with girls being the majority. Suicidal or self-harming behavior led to a 33% jump.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14
50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
86% of kids constantly feel worried about schools and friendships
1 in 5 adults suffers from mental health problems like anxiety and depression
A “growing use of social media” among children has been linked to depression symptoms. Experts spotlight a failing US health care system, adding “the hospital ends up being the place you go when all else fails.” They're calling for an increase in mental health services in communities and schools.
That’s where we come in. Yoga is preventative medicine. It bridges the gap between fitness and healthcare. We’re on a mission to train 10,000 parents and teachers to make immediate impact on kids’ wellness. Oh, and you can make money too. You can learn our proven system in 8 days and become a game-changer in your community. I’ll show you how.
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The 100 days of May is upon us. It’s comprised of Mother’s Day and often hectic end-of-school year demands. Perhaps no coincidence, it’s also Mental Health Awareness Month.
Maybe AI can help you take items off your To Do list? Even with the overwhelm, to manage it all, I do yoga. It helps me handle whatever is coming at me more clearly, calmly and collectively.
Recently, I was struck by these lines in Maggie Smith’s poem:
“Let me love the world like a mother.”
“Let me be tender when it lets me down.“
I love the way she is attuned to the simultaneous heartbreak and wonder of the world -- and her determination to keep on loving it. Isn’t that what we do for our children? Love them no matter what, and they love us too, even when they say, “I hate you!”
For all the giving you do, Mother’s Day is for you to ask for what you want and to receive it or maybe even be surprised! What do you want?
- Breakfast in bed - make sure it comes with a clean kitchen!
- Alone time so you can refresh and renew - hello spa day!
- Activity time so you can play together - hello Mother’s Day family yoga event!
Whatever you do, I hope it’s just for you. Listen to the Hella MomVersations podcast to learn more about how moms like to celebrate. Happy Mother’s Day!