Today is National Stress Awareness Day. Yay! I feel like celebrating because bringing attention to how to handle stress is what I do everyday. Nearly 95% of disease is caused by stress so it’s super important to know how to handle it.

Here are 3 strategies for you and the kids:

1. Name it to tame it.

I’ve taught this for years. Knowing your feelings is critical to making sure they don’t go wild! Teach kids and model the four basic feelings: happy, sad, mad and calm.

2. Feel it to free it.

Once you name your feeling, allow yourself to feel it. We often try to resist negative feelings, but this effort only makes them bigger. Instead, embrace the feeling as if it were a loving friend. Listen to it, and ironically, that frees it.

3. Now flip it! Flip it good!

Once a feeling is fully felt, it can be released. This is why we like going upside-down in yoga. We can apply that idea to our thoughts too. The key word is “even though.” Even though I feel sad right now, I know it’s temporary and I will feel glad again. Then, direct your focus to a more positive thought. 

This mindfulness exercise takes practice. Join me for a class or a training and I’ll show you how.

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Okay, Megan Thee Stallion, you got me. I love this!

She created a website with mental health resources for fans and it’s really cool. The website called "Bad Bitches Have Bad Days Too" offers links to free therapy organizations, suicide, and substance abuse helpline among other resources.

Way to normalize this and make a positive difference! With World Mental Health Day on October 10 and really everyday here at IYK, here’s what you can do to bounce back from a bad day.

1. Remember, This Too Shall Pass. Everything is temporary. Nothing lasts forever…even a bad day. Don’t let it stick.

2. Reflect. Learn from it. Stop and notice what happened. What was in your control and what was not? Are you a victim or a victor? It is a choice. You always have a choice.

3. Rest or move something. Everything is energy so move your body to release negativity so it doesn’t get stored in your body, mind and heart. If your body needs rest, stop and do that too.

You are your best friend and your best boss. Listen to yourself. When you are not sure, get still before acting. Try 1 to 10 minutes of silence to reset yourself and be your best. Learn at yoga. I’ll show you how.

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October 10 is World Mental Health Day. The overall objective is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts to support it. Here are some facts:

• According to World Health Organization (WHO), one in eight people around the globe live with mental health conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide.

• Young people are particularly affected by mental health issues. The WHO says almost one in seven adolescents aged 10 to 19 live with some form of mental health condition. Suicide is the fifth most prevalent cause of death in this age group - 45,800 die each year, one every 11 minutes.

• Almost one in five 15-24-year-olds in a global survey for the WHO reported that they often felt depressed and had little interest in doing things. According to the UK Mental Health Foundation, half of mental health conditions are established by age 14 and 75% by age 24.

What we do at It’s Yoga Kids matters more than ever. Give your child what they need most to feel healthier and happier so they can be their best. We teach skills children do NOT learn anywhere else. Our fun and scientific system supports every age with the High 5 Habits built into every class, training and certification for anyone who lives or works with children. You are the adult who can make a difference. We are the organization that can help you.

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With shorter days and crispy air, it’s Fall. All month long, we’ll have some Halloween fun! Here’s how we transform our yoga classes for kids into spooky fun at every age.

Come in costume! Be sure to select a costume you can move in. Minimize accessories and avoid pokey objects. Visibility is also important for safety. Close fitting clothing is best for yoga. I’m often a black cat for Halloween. MEOW!!!

Co-create some new moves with me. Instead of downward dog, let’s be a werewolf and howl at the moon. You’ll also learn spooky lantern pose, pumpkin pose, leaf breath and vampire pose.

Play our original Halloween yoga game called Witches, Ghosts and Zombies, Oh My! Fill your basket with your favorite treats and watch out for the troll under the bridge! We can’t wait to see you at It’s Yoga Kids®.

Our special HighVibe Halloween Family Yoga Event with yoga and a craft benefits our local community partner, Mo Magic. Join us on Sunday, October 30, at 10:30am.

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