#so i think that combined with the new pressures of navigating young adult life and adding work or college into the mix would be interesting

[heatwa-ves]

augh I love d4dj but it's strength is really not in storytelling and the missed potential of some stories I've read is really bothering me

[cdenvs3000]

Growing up

All throughout our lives were obviously evolving, changing, facing new problems and gathering skills to solve those problems. Every stage of life takes adjusting to, from entering elementary school, through puberty, going to high school and so on. I imagine everyone, much like myself, can look back and remember the awkwardness and uncomfortable adjustments that each of these stages brought. For me some of the biggest adjustment periods that I can remember was going from grade 9 to grade 11. I’m really not sure why but those years were when I truly started being myself and felt changes between my peers happening at different rates. That being said, I think that I really noticed these changes in my final year of high school and entering into university. My grade 12 year was when I started to actually have to try much harder in my classes and really not do well in some. The pressure of doing well combined with the daunting thought that one mis-step could mean that university acceptances would not arrive started to give me anxiety and panic attacks in the middle of class. I had no idea that I was really experiencing them until speaking with my doctor, but this is something that kind of allowed me to realize that I really am growing up and this is some real life stuff. 

Going away to school is supposed to teach you about who you truly are and cause you to grow and become more independent. For me, I was always told I was a mature teenager and young adult, which I definitely felt, but going away to school was still a shock, much more than I realized. Navigating new friendships while missing your friends and people from home, all while dealing with new class environments was nothing close to calming. Overall I know that my first year of university taught me so many things about myself that I wouldn't have discovered so quickly had I not gone away. 

The stage of life I’m in right now is kind of a complicated one and I’m sure a lot of you can agree. I’m currently 21 years old, fully an adult with some adult responsibilities like minor bill payments and taking care of myself while I’m away at school, all things that don't bother me at all. I’m conflicted with the feeling that I just want to do whatever I can to accelerate the start of my life. I don’t want to be in school any longer than I want to so the idea of doing a masters just sounds so awful to me, but I know it would be beneficial. I want to live on my own and fully move out of my parents house, but how can I ever afford anything with todays housing prices? It sounds weird but the idea of being a mom excites me to no end, but will I be able to find a stable job soon so that I can have kids young? It’s somewhat of a negative mindset, but I feel like the demand for everyone to get a huge decade long post secondary education is something preventing me from starting my life and actually living. Does anyone else feel this way as well? These are just some things that are constantly in my mind recently as I’m in my final year here at UoG, entering into the stage of life that I feel is so crucial. 

Thanks for reading my random mind dump and rant!

Caitlyn  

[wichols]

My Feelings On Father’s Day

Father’s Day has always felt weird for me and let me tell you why. This is an extremely open conversation about my personal feelings on Father’s Day. I can imagine that there are others on this platform that feel similar. I want you to know that you are loved and no matter your relationship/or lack of a relationship with a parental figure does not change the validity of your feelings. Life is messy and complicated and something that I have learned is to embrace the mess and understand why I do the things I do. Hopefully by the end of this post we can understand a little bit better about the struggles some of us have on days like Mother’s/Father’s Day. I will be mentioning some things that might be triggering to some so if you are triggered by mentions of childhood trauma or discussions of dysfunctional families please go ahead and keep scrolling for your own mental health. My parents divorced when I was young, like really young. I was about 3. Now I know what you are thinking “Wichols? You were so young you wouldn’t remember anything from that time.” Let me tell you, because it happened so young it shaped and push my dominant personality qualities that I have to this day.  I am an empath (ENFP). I am swayed by the feelings of those around me. I was told that most of my childhood during that time was spent crying. Why? Because the household I was living in was unsettled. I still have coping mechanisms that I still use today. I surround myself with blankets when I feel emotionally compromised among other my personal things that I do to self soothe. I cry, a lot. Like if I am not settled somewhere between a 4-6 with my emotions then I am crying. If I am happy I cry. If I am sad I cry. I just cry, it helps. Sometimes I induce crying just so I can feel better. After many situations between myself and my bio dad our relationship is forever fractured. It has been about 5 years since I have actually spoken to him. Our love languages are different and because of the toxic history between us, I think we have mutually decided that not pursuing a relationship with each other is for the best. Let’s add another layer of complexities. My mom dated someone for a while and they one thing that came from that relationship was the fact that, that person abused my mom and took advantage of the situation. Another male figure that was supposed to be positive turned out to be toxic. Another layer shall we? (Trigger Warning: Molestation) Shortly after the breakup we moved into a smaller place and as I recall what few memories I have at that time it was not long before we moved again. My mother remarried again and we moved to a new city. The new guy seemed like a nice person and he even had two children that would stay with us. This marriage lasted about 3-4 years. Living in that time his leaving seemed abrupt but looking back the reasons were clear. He was running away because he was trying to hide from the fact that he had used me for his own pleasures. I remember one distinct time that something happened but everything else around that time his disappeared from my memories. Because I was still so young (they were married between the end of 2nd grade year to about 4th grade) I didn’t understand what was actually happening. We became homeless for a while and eventually we moved into an old house. It wasn’t till about 5th grade that I had told my mom what happened but by that time it was too late to press charges. Now I live everyday remembering almost nothing from my childhood because of this event. I have giant dark areas in my memories because my brain has blocked out everything surrounding each time of trauma. My Wedding Day Let me give you a little peak into the different dynamics between my bio dad and my step dad. And the perfect way to describe this is through the Father/Daughter Dance. Because of the complicated relationships with mine and my husband’s families we decided to combine the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son. One song for all. Now, my mother walked me down the isle and I felt like it was only right to keep this piece of wedding tradition in. My relationship with my bio dad had been okay at this point so I decided that I would honor him with this dance. But I also felt like my step father deserved some time with me during this time. So I split up the dance between them. I would dance with my bio dad the first half and then surprise my step dad and ask him to dance. The dance with my bio dad made me kind of mad if I am honest. He made it about himself. I know the things he was doing were from a good place but it was actually really hurtful. I have pictures of my dance with him where I am crying. From an outsider’s perspective it would seem that our relationship is close but when I look back at that dance I am bitter. I’m bitter because he claimed that he was losing his baby girl. But not two years prior he ended a phone call with me where he said, “If you want to communicate with me further you will have to be the one to call because I will not be.” He had made it clear in that call that he no longer wanted to put forth effort and that in defending himself he pounded in the idea that I was going to have to be the adult in that situation. So for me to hear the words he said on my wedding day compared to the words that I held in my heart were conflicting. Now to my step dad. Once I got into college our relationship balanced out and we really started getting close to each other. A couple months ago I had a Facebook memory pop up with I shouted him out for sitting and watching a chick flick with me while I was home. We have a pretty playful relationship and I have really come to care for him. Now I don’t always know what to call him I know that I am attached to him (sometimes I call him step dad, his actual name, or dad). He was surprised when I sent my bio dad and walked over to ask him to dance with me. And I loved that dance with him! We laughed, and dipped, and smiled the whole time. And I have pictures of his dumb face smiling from ear to ear while we danced. I look back at them and laugh. Two very different people with two different reactions. I have had other people throughout my life that I have placed upon the pedestal of fatherly figures and I am forever grateful to those who stepped up. Older male relationships are hard for me to navigate. I am a midwest gal at heart so we don’t want to offend or exclude anyone ever and coupled with my own personality quirks it makes it 100% more complicated navigating how to express the appropriate feelings on days such as today. Add social media pressures and current events into the mix and it leaves me crippled.  So today I will be filled with anxiety and swirling thoughts of the past. I will wrap myself up with blankets and practice any form of escapism to ease the weighty burden of expectations. Today is not a fun day. Today is a reminder of all the broken things that have happened. Today’s expectations will cripple me emotionally.  But today I will also try my best to be gentle with myself. I will try to understand my feelings better. I will allow myself to feel something. Whatever the status of your relationship with your father figures in your life just know that you are not alone with navigating difficult relationships. Appreciate the positive moments and do what you can.  You are seen and you are valued. You cannot make everyone happy. But what you can do is show love to those who have shown you love. TL:DR- Father’s day is complicated when you have emotional baggage. Just know that you are not alone with your struggles. You are not less of a person because of the status of your parent’s relationship with each other. But Happy Father’s Day to those who have stepped up. It takes a special person to love another child like their own.  

[thebookbandwagon]

Unpopular Opinions Book Tag

I’ve seen this list of tag prompts floating around and find them really fun to read and watch so here’s my take on it. This is just for fun and I’ve put the image of all the stuff I talk about below so you can skip over this post if you don’t like the idea of seeing potential criticisms of them. My Youtube version of this is here.

1.) A popular book or book series that you didn’t like

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. I read the first two in the trilogy and I just don’t connect on a personal level to any of the characters. I’ve enjoyed other books by this author but Mistborn just… doesn’t do it for me. I don’t have the level of emotional investment in the characters that I want and they don’t feel like vivid people to me.

2.) A popular book or book series that everyone else seems to hate but you love

Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat. I know not everyone hates this series, but there’s a fairly high proportion of the people who read it who end up hating it. Based on the negative reviews I’ve seen, many people’s reasons for hating it seems to be rooted in labelling it as problematic. While I agree there are a couple of elements of the series that aren’t handled with as much care as they should be, I still don’t think it’s quite as bad as some people make it out to be. It’s also a pet peeve that some people make it out as if an author having certain things happening in their stories means they endorse those things happening in real life and that’s just... not logical.

3.) An otp that you don’t like

99% of the time I just don’t care about pairings and there aren’t that many pairings I can think of that I actively dislike instead of just not caring. Buffy/Angel? I’m counting it as qualifying for this tag because it has comics. I never found a Buffy pairing I either liked or was neutral about. I found Buffy/Angel to be way too over the top and corny and too instant. I honestly have no idea what they talk about when they’re not dealing with various apocalypses and watching it made me realise where part of the inspiration for Twilight probably originated from.

4.) A popular book genre that you hardly reach for

Young Adult Fantasy that’s geared towards the older end of the spectrum. If I’m reading YA it’s either because I trust the author to write something I like in that genre or because I want to give myself a brain break and read something I can get through really quickly. I’ve found with the older end of the YA spectrum that there doesn’t seem to be much difference in the reading difficulty between YA and Adult within the fantasy genre so the genre usually just ends up not giving me what I want from it.

5.) A popular/beloved character that you do not like

Kvothe from The Name of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I like there to be things characters are bad at and Kvothe was just way too good at every single thing he did for my taste. Never before have I been so invested in the main character of a book failing and I was left completely unsatisfied because at no point in The Name of the Wind does Kvothe fail when it isn’t because of being sabotaged by someone else. I know there are theories about how he’s an unreliable narrator but unless I see actual evidence on the page then I just don’t have the faith that he is. Saying that, I really did love the writing style so if Rothfuss writes anything not involving someone who I despise as much as Kvothe then I’d give it a go.

6.) A popular author that you can’t seem to get into

Leigh Bardugo? I’ve read Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom, as well as Shadow and Bone and they were all fairly meh reads for me. I feel like my reasons for not being able to get into her books come down to my repeating previous points I’ve made because they’re a combination of the genre she writes in as well as me knowing I love the tropes and character archetypes she’s using but just not having the level of investment in her characters that I want.

Robin Hobb is another popular author I can’t get into. She has characters that feel much more vivid and writes within Adult Fantasy but her pacing is so so slow and I’m not patient enough as a reader to be able to get through her lengthy books.

7.) A popular book trope that you’re tired of seeing

Redemption = Death. I love a good villain eventually turning sides or an anti-hero/anti-villain having a good redemption arc but it seems like all these arcs inevitably end in their death and it just… doesn’t have to be that way. I’d find the story far more interesting if the redemption arc doesn’t end so abruptly and the person undergoing it has to figure out their new place in the world, how to live with themselves, and other people’s changing perceptions of them.

8.) A popular series that you have no interest in reading

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien. As a fantasy fan, peer pressure makes me feel obligated to like this series. I don’t like this series. I’ve attempted to read it three times and only managed on one of those times to get almost halfway through The Fellowship of the Ring. All the characters just don’t do anything for me (except you, Gollum) and I have no interest in what happens to them or the themes within the story.

Me not liking Lord of the Rings doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate what it’s done for the fantasy genre though and I’m well aware most of the series that I love probably wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the book that’s basically responsible for the catalyst of the genre of fantasy books that feature worldbuilding.

9.) What movie or TV show adaptation do you prefer more than the book?

Hmm. If I was only going off seasons 1-4 of Game of Thrones I’d go with that but considering what happened after I’m… ugh.

So instead I’m going with Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. Originally by Douglas Adams, it’s a very witty and quirky comedy book series with sci-fi and fantasy elements set in modern-day (which back then would’ve been around the 80s). It follows a detective who employs bizarre techniques like Zen Navigation:

“Rather than using conventional avenues of wayfinding like consulting a map, the Zen navigation method consists of finding someone who looks like they know where they’re going and following them. This is supposed to deliver the navigator to their destination, although its results are variable and often unexpected and unintended. It very rarely gets you where you wanted to go but always where you needed to be.”

The only issue I have with Douglas Adams is that his characters tend to be a bit on the caricature-ish side but this is something the TV show put a huge amount of effort into and it paid off so so well. I had my reservations about the show since, other than Dirk, it looked very Americanised but they actually did an incredible job. It’s funny, complex, wacky, unpredictable yet (sort of) makes sense. There are lots of warm fuzzy feelings between the main characters and it’s great. Also there’s a portal to a fantasy world where the knights fight each other with giant pairs of scissors. It’s an incredibly underrated Netflix Original series that always deserved more attention than it got.

[lifebydesign66]

Licensed Psychologist Dr. Nia

CONNECTION * AFFIRMATION * EMPOWERMENT

Therapy can help you discover the tools within you to write your own story and reach the healing you deserve.

Hi, I’m Dr. Nia (she/her/hers) and I want to congratulate you on taking the first steps towards reaching out for support. Although I am a licensed psychologist, I believe you already have within you the tools that can support your healing journey. I honor the experiences and resiliency that have brought you this far. My goal as a therapist is to create a space where you feel safe and empowered to explore what your own healing may look like. We may practice using new words to describe how you are feeling inside, creating a shared language for your experience and paying close attention. Ultimately, you are in control and I am a guide.

I feel particularly called to work with people of color, women and girls, LGBTQ+ folks, students and young professionals, and those whose identities contribute to difficulties with feeling accepted or valued.

CULTIVATING COMMUNITY AND HEALING

I consider the impact of family, cultural, or societal messages that can interfere with your journey towards wellness and self-love. As a Black woman, I understand the pressure we can feel as we take care of others, sometimes at the cost of our own needs. I am passionate about working with other Black and Brown women who may experience these difficulties as they navigate the everyday demands of work, school, family obligations, and romantic relationships. I support clients to unlearn old strategies that may be self-defeating and learn new ways of coping and being in relationships with themselves and others.

CREATING SAFETY, TRUST, AND SOMATIC HEALING

Drawing on my extensive training in treating trauma, I value creating a space where clients feel emotionally safe. I utilize an authentic and empathic therapeutic style to create a space where clients feel seen, heard, and valued. I model transparency so clients can understand the reasoning behind therapeutic interventions and feel empowered to make informed choices about treatment. When working with trauma, I integrate Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Somatic interventions. I integrate somatic work because our experiences stay with us, not just mentally and emotionally, but physically. Our bodies hold a lot of wisdom about where healing is needed. I utilize body-based interventions to encourage you to pay attention to not only your thoughts and feelings but bodily sensations.This can help you develop trust in yourself to understand what you might be needing in the present moment.

BLENDING CLINICAL EXPERTISE AND CLIENT-CENTERED VALUES

I draw heavily from Psychodynamic, Relational, and Somatic approaches within a multicultural and trauma-informed framework. I collaborate with clients to uncover hidden conflicts while also acknowledging the external pressures that may keep them feeling ‘stuck.’ I can support you in processing childhood trauma, setting better boundaries, increasing coping skills, developing self-compassion, combatting perfectionism, managing stress, and improving work-life balance. Because I know we are often racing to check things off our to-do list, I will focus on slowing down and paying attention to the physical sensations that arise during sessions to increase awareness of what you might be needing in the present moment.

HELPING CHILDREN THRIVE AT SCHOOL AND AT PLAY

Children are naturally curious and still learning the necessary skills for being successful in an adult world.They can feel worried, sad, and angry, but often do not have the language to express these big emotions. Parents and caregivers are an essential part of child therapy and I will work collaboratively with you to best support your child. I use a play therapy relational approach with both verbal and nonverbal interventions (art, movement, therapeutic games, sandtray). This approach allows children to develop a sense of trust and express their emotions in a safe, contained way. Play therapy within the context of a trusting therapeutic relationship can help identify the unmet need underlying a child’s problematic behavior and support parents and caregivers in responding in healthier ways.

NAVIGATING LIFE’S UPS AND DOWNS WITH TEENS

If you are a parent or caregiver who is at your wit’s end dealing with your teen, please know you are not alone in this struggle. Although parent-teen conflict is common in this age group, there is hope for getting through to your teen and improving your ability to connect with them. I have extensive experience treating teens who are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma/abuse, or have trouble fitting in with their peers. They may also struggle with low self-esteem and figuring out who they are with respect to their identity. I am particularly interested in working with teens who have suicidal thinking or engage in self-harm and other risky behaviors. I use a combination of talk therapy, play therapy, family systems, and somatic approaches to help teens with managing their symptoms, increasing their ability to cope with stressors, and improve their relationships. In my work with teens, I honor their developing independence while supporting their connections to the people who truly care about them.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, AND ADULTS CREATE BALANCE

It can often feel like there aren’t enough hours in a day. Whether you are in school, working, or both, you are likely dealing with multiple demands while trying to stay on top of everything you need to accomplish. The thought of taking time for yourself makes you feel selfish so you struggle to say “no” to outside obligations. Utilizing a blend of somatic, holistic, and relational approaches, I help clients to develop healthy boundaries while nurturing the relationships that are most important.

HELPING COUPLES AND FAMILIES RECONNECT AND FIND JOY

It’s common for there to be conflict in couples and among family members. Sometimes, these difficulties are impacted by patterns of relating to each other that were developed earlier in life. These patterns can often span generations and be difficult to change. What’s important is that even after a rupture, you can repair the relationship. Using psychodynamic, family systems, and relational approaches, I can support you in repairing those ruptures and improving the quality of your relationships.

I utilize a holistic approach in couples and family work that integrates techniques such as Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Somatic Therapy, and Family Systems interventions. These approaches help you recognize harmful or dysfunctional patterns and rework them while paying attention to the feelings, thoughts, memories, and bodily sensations that arise during interactions with each other. Using this new knowledge, couples and family members can improve their communication, have a renewed sense of attachment, and rediscover joy in each other.

SPECIALTIES AND INTERESTS

Healing for Black and Brown girls and women

Treating trauma and attachment difficulties

Adjustment challenges and dealing with life transitions

Supporting teens with the transition to adulthood

Body image and self-esteem concerns

Coping with depression and anxiety

Healing from grief and loss

Foster care youth and adoption

Acculturation stress

Supporting children and teens of divorce

Helping separated and divorced families with co-parenting

Improving family connection and communication

Reducing self-harm and risky behaviors in teens

Identity exploration

Treating psychosis and mood disorders

Working with parents of children with ADHD

Healing from childhood abuse and inter-generational trauma

Healing from racial trauma and microaggressions

Increasing self-worth and setting boundaries

Improving self-understanding and self-compassion

Managing school and work stress

Women of color issues in school or the workplace

Supporting families with communication challenges

Couples and families navigating trust issues or attachment ruptures

Interracial couples and cross-cultural relationships

CREDENTIALS

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PSY31472

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University.

M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Adelphi University

B.A. in Psychology, minor in Women’s Studies, St. John’s University

TRAINING

Healing Trauma in Children with Play (2019)

Working with Latinx Families (2019)

Dominant and Subjugated Narratives: The Culturally Sensitive Assessment (2019)

Early Childhood Mental Health: Integrating and Assessing Complex Trauma with young children and their families (2018)

Project WHAT- Working with children of incarcerated parents (2018)

CARMA Foundations for Working With Complex Trauma (2018)

Gender & Culturally Responsive Mental Health Practice with African American Male Youth (2017)

Engaging foster youth in Treatment (2017)

Expressive Arts and Drama Therapy (2017)

Trauma-informed Systems Training (2017)

Radical Healing (2017)

Integrative Treatment of Complex Trauma-Adolescents (2017)

LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. NIA

Hear about her views on healing, therapy and more!

READY TO WORK WITH DR. NIA

Contact us today!

[ontarioyoga]

Is Yoga Bad For Seniors

New Post has been published on https://www.ontarioyoga.net/is-yoga-bad-for-seniors/

Is Yoga Bad For Seniors

While Age Does Affect You In Various Ways Theres A Lot You Can Do To Limit Its Impact On Your Body Yoga Is An Excellent Anti

July 31, 2017

Along with the smile lines and gray hair, aging brings changes that are harder to see but very easy to feel, especially during movement. As you age, you’ll encounter general physiological changes in elasticity, stability, speed, strength, and endurance, as well as a different perspective on physical goals. Specific health problems emerge as we age, and these age-related illnesses might affect your yoga practice. Here, we offer our thoughts on how to modify your practice for these common ailments, and we detail the ways that yoga can actually relieve symptoms or has been proven to improve medical outcomes. From heart issues to less lung capacity, decreased bone density to hormonal changes, and to artificial knees, physical changes will affect and dictate the needs of a yoga asana practice, but in all cases, doing yoga will make you feel better.

From Chair Yoga To Hatha To Vinyasa Heres Your Guide To Eight Popular Yoga Types Every Older Adult Should Know

There are countless reasons to add yoga to your routine. Research shows a regular practice not only improves balance and mobility in older adults, but it may also help ease back pain, relieve depression, and even reduce blood pressure for people with hypertension.

“Yoga can help keep the body agile,” says Terry Cockburn, a yoga instructor and owner of Freeport Yoga Company in Freeport, Maine. “It can also help you maintain proprioception, or the awareness of where your body is in relation to everything else,” she says.

That translates to a reduced risk of falls—which is especially compelling, considering falls are the leading cause of injuries in adults older than 65.

So, if you’ve considered trying yoga, now is the time to do it! You don’t have to be flexible or experienced to get started. To help you find the best class for your fitness level and personality, we break down eight of the most popular yoga types.

Common Poses Most Likely To Trigger Yoga Injuries Plus How To Overcome & Avoid Them

November 5, 2016

Healthiest Yoga Poses

According to estimates, more than 30 million people now regularly practice yoga worldwide. And 14 million of those include Americans who received a prescription for yoga from a physician or other therapist. People have practiced yoga for thousands of years. During that time, the practice has earned a strong reputation for promoting well-being in both body and mind.

However, something many practitioners may not realize is that a number of commonly taught yoga poses can also be risky. Particularly yoga injuries are a real threat. So are the healing benefits of yoga worth the risk?

Yoga injuries — including back pains, popped ribs and strained necks — are not necessarily a rare occurrence, especially among those brand new to yoga who push themselves too hard or too quickly. Yoga poses such as handstands, inversions and back-bends might quality yoga as moderate exercise, but these tougher poses also can be cause for concern if you’re not ready for them.

Given all of the proven benefits of yoga, but also the potential risks, what’s a yogi to do? The solution to avoiding yoga injuries seems to be a combination of taking your time to ease into the practice, listening to your body, never pushing yourself past the point of comfort when stretching, and also mixing yoga with other exercises to strengthen weak areas and reduce compensations. It’s also wise to find an instructor who is well-qualified.

Do Yoga Asanas Increase The Efficiency Of The Immune System For The Elderly

Here, again, the Yoga Sutras provide us with insight. Sutra 2.16 states “dukham anaagatam,” which translates into “so that we can avoid the misery that has not yet come.” As we age, the efficiency of our bodies and the immune system’s defenses deteriorate, increasing the risk of sickness. Regular practice of yoga for seniors can lower stress hormones and inflammation, boost the immune system, and decrease the chance of sickness.

So whether you are 65 or 105, lay down your yoga mat, grab a chair, and get started with your yoga practice today!

While a regular yoga practice can result in improved health, know that it is not a substitute for medical treatment. It is important to learn and practice yoga under the supervision of a trained teacher. In the case of a medical condition, practice yoga after consulting a doctor. Do you need information on courses? Contact us at programs@us.artofliving.org to find a Sri Sri Yoga course at an Art of Living Center near you.

We would also like to invite you to attend a free breath and meditation online session to learn about SKY Breath Meditation, the perfect accompaniment to any yoga practice.

Improving Balance To Prevent Falls And Increase Stability In The Senior Age

Falls can occur due to a variety of reasons including home hazards like low lighting, low blood pressure, trips due to footwear, etc. However, one of the major reasons behind the occurrence of falls lies in one simple thing: balance.In today’s post, we explain to you the huge role that balance plays in fall prevention and ways of improving balance to ensure the safety of our beloved seniors.

Balance Exercises For Seniors: Improve Your Balance With These Yoga Poses

Quick Navigation

5 Get Back On Your Feet

When a fall could easily result in a trip to the doctor, or even require surgery, staying upright on your own two feet becomes a rather pressing issue. Unfortunately, there are a lot of factors working against our balance system as we age – from our vision to the muscles which support our bodies, everything takes a hit.

But there’s also good news: and improving your quality of life.

More Older People Are Doing Yoga But They Are Also Racking Up Injuries

Yoga may hold a key to aging well, suggests a growing body of research into its potential benefits for body and mind — benefits that include reducing heart rate and blood pressure, relieving anxiety and depression, and easing back pain. One recent study even raised the possibility of positive changes in biological markers of aging and stress in people who do yoga.

So it’s no surprise that the number of yoga practitioners in the United States has more than doubled to 36.7 million over the last decade, with health benefits the main reason people practice, according to the Yoga in America Study conducted last year on behalf of Yoga Journal and the Yoga Alliance.

While yoga enthusiasts are often pictured as young and bendy, the reality, according to the Yoga in America study, is that 17 percent are in their 50s and 21 percent are age 60 and older.

Along with this upsurge of interest has been an upsurge in injuries, particularly among older practitioners. “Participants aged 65 years and older have a greater rate of injury from practicing yoga when compared with other age groups,” researchers wrote last year in a study of nearly 30,000 yoga-related injuries seen in U.S. hospital emergency departments from 2001 to 2014. “While there are many health benefits to practicing yoga, participants and those wishing to become participants should confer with a physician prior to engaging in physical activity and practice only under the guidance of certified instructors.”

The Heat Of Hot Yoga Can Be Very Good But Also Risky For Some People

Brian Tracy first heard about Bikram yoga in 2005, when a graduate student approached the exercise scientist with an idea for studying the classes, which last for 90 minutes in a room heated to about 105 degrees.

To investigate, Tracy tried it. More than a decade later, the researcher still practices Bikram yoga sometimes — and not always for science. “It’s one of the things I do for exercise, and it makes me feel really good,” says Tracy, who studies neuromuscular physiology at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Casey Mace Firebaugh had the opposite reaction. A public health researcher at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Mace Firebaugh has long practiced more-traditional forms of yoga. Although she gave hot yoga a chance, it often made her feel lightheaded.

“I’m a relatively fit and active person,” Mace Firebaugh says. “But hot yoga made me feel terrible when I did it.”

More than 36 million Americans practice yoga, according to a 2016 . And although there are no firm statistics on how many do their poses in heated spaces, anecdotal evidence suggests that hot yoga has grown in popularity since it was introduced to the United States in the 1970s.

Yoga For Older Adults: 5 Health Benefits Of The Practice For Post50s

Beginning a yoga practice as an older adult can be intimidating, especially if you’re out of shape or working with health conditions. Although you don’t want to jump into a 90-minute hot yoga class with a group of younger practitioners, starting a gentle practice for beginners can be an excellent way to stay active and lower stress levels. Yoga can have a number of benefits for people over 50, from healthy bones to flexibility to anxiety relief. Ninety-four-year-old yogi Tao Porchon-Lynch swears by yoga as a way to maintain a positive attitude, relieve stress and age gracefully.

Yoga is not only safe for older practitioners, but also effective in keeping the mind and body in good health. If you’re thinking about starting a yoga practice, make sure to find a class and instructor who can meet your needs.

“People can either find an individual teacher to work with when they first start out, or find a studio that works with beginner classes, and see if they tailor to people over 50,” Eva Norlyk Smith, yoga teacher and Managing Editor at YogaUOnline, tells Huff/Post50.

“There’s a lot to learn, and most people over 50 run into issues like tight hamstrings, which affects alignment in so many different postures,” Norlyk Smith says. “If you go in and have a 20-year-old doing it perfectly next to you, you’re going to push yourself more than you should.”

1. You Get The Benefits Of Movement — Without The Strain.

2. Increased Flexibility.

3. Yoga Can Relieve Menopausal Discomfort.

A Gentle Yoga Practice Allows Seniors To Move Without Straining

Exercise is a critical part of healthy aging, but it presents certain risks to seniors. High-intensity exercises – such as running, cycling, and weight-lifting – can put a strain on the body and lead to injuries. A gentle yoga practice is an excellent low-impact exercise option. Yoga is not only safe for older practitioners, but effective in maintaining mental and physical health.

You should contact yoga studios and gyms in your area to determine whether they offer yoga classes for beginners and/or seniors. Arrive early before your first class so that you have an opportunity to speak with your instructor about what to expect during class. Let your instructor know about any injuries or health issues you have. Never overextend yourself on your mat, and move into postures only as far as you can. Ask your instructor for help if you need it. New practitioners should also remember that they can take a seated position or child’s pose if they need to rest.

How Does Yoga For Seniors Differ From Yoga For Younger People

Täo Porchon-Lynch is a shining example of the way in which the terms “old” and “young” refer to the state of the body, rather than numerical age. In fact, many older adults have greater flexibility than sedentary young people. In general, though, cardio-heavy flow practices and asanas that require abdominal strength can be more challenging for seniors, as can holding postures for long periods of time.

Proper Form Is Especially Important For People With Back Pain

The main issue with yoga-related back injuries is that people don’t follow proper form and speed, says Dr. Lauren Elson, instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. “They quickly ‘drop’ into a yoga pose without gradually ‘lengthening’ into it.”

This is similar to jerking your body while lifting a dumbbell and doing fast reps instead of making a slow, controlled movement, or running on a treadmill at top speed without steadily increasing the tempo. The result is a greater chance of injury.

In yoga, you should use your muscles to first create a solid foundation for movement, and then follow proper form that slowly lengthens and stretches your body. For example, when I perform my seated twist, I have to remember that the point of the pose is not to rotate as fast and far as possible. Instead, I need to activate my core muscles and feel as though my spine is lengthening. Then I can twist slowly until I feel resistance, and hold for as long as it’s comfortable and the tension melts away.

Yoga Videos For Seniors: Sequences For Your Exercise Program

Below, we’ll share a few yoga videos designed specifically for older adults. If you’re new to the practice of yoga, try working these sequences into your routine: 

Gentle Chair Yoga for Beginners and Seniors This 15-minute chair yoga video is ideal for those with limited mobility or those recovering from an injury. 

30-Minute Restorative Yoga and MeditationThis restorative yoga practice is a slow-paced class suitable for seniors, focusing on the mental and meditative benefits of yoga. 

Full Length Gentle Yoga Class for Beginners and Seniors This 30-minute yoga flow is slow-paced, featuring a number of seated and standing poses. The instructor offers a number of modifications for beginners.

Gentle Yoga for Seniors 1 Hour Hatha Class This full, hour-long hatha class is taught by and designed for seniors. Since it’s a longer video, you may want to save this video until you’ve completed a shorter sequence.

Types Of Yoga Injuries: What Are The Causes & Riskiest Poses

As with any other form of physical practice, yoga should be practiced carefully under the guidance of a qualified instructor in order to reduce risk. If you’ve been injured in the past, or have been mostly sedentary, consider skipping some of the riskiest poses all together.

A high percentage of yoga-related injuries seem to be caused from the following more advanced poses:

Shoulder Stand

As the entire body applies pressure to the spine, injuries are possible that can radiate downward or out to the shoulders. can result, or worse a serious vertebrae or spinal disc problem.

It’s debatable whether shoulder stands should be performed at all, but for those who do teach the posture because it can be beneficial for things like decreasing the heart rate, they advise using a blanket under the shoulders/neck for support and extra lift.

Other tips for reducing strains in the neck and shoulders include not pushing the neck too far forward and remaining very still in the posture without turning the head.

The Immortal Formula: 5 Reasons Why Seniors Should Do Yoga Kristin McGeeYoga and Pilates Instructor

Kristin is a yoga and pilates instructor helping students and private clients on their path to wellness. She’s worked with celebrities including Tina Fey, Steve Martin and Leann Rimes, as well as nutritionists and other yoga/Pilates instructors.

In my yoga practice, I work with many older people. I remember taking a yoga class years ago from Tao Porchon-Lynch and just being amazed at her gracefulness, agility, mobility, posture and attitude for someone in her late 80’s or anyone for that matter.

One of my favorite yoga teachers when I first started teaching used to tell us that yoga makes you age in reverse. I have to believe that it’s kind of true. Here are some of the reasons why seniors should do yoga.

How Yoga Works And How It Can Help To Improve Your Balance

Yoga is a great way to increase your activity level, tone muscles and ease aching joints, all while working on your balance. Both enjoyable and gentle, yoga ??has emerged as the activity of choice for many older adults.

Yoga includes certain poses which are directly intended to target your sense of balance, these “proprioceptive exercises” train both your body and your brain – challenging your sensory and motor system to perform under specific conditions that can later be applied to everyday activities.

A study in Neuroscience Letters examined the role of proprioceptive exercises in improving balance in a group of subjects over the age of 60. The researchers found that these specialized activities produced the greatest effect when compared to other fitness routines.

The National Strength & Conditioning Association conducted a study looking into the effect of a short-term yoga program on balance in a group of young adults. They recorded a remarkable 228% improvement in balancing ability.

Chair Yoga For Seniors: The Best Yoga Exercise For Seniors

What is Chair Yoga?

Chair yoga is a term used for practices that modify poses so they can be done while seated in a chair. These modifications make yoga accessible to people who find it difficult to stand, aren’t able to move easily from standing to seated to lying down positions That’s why chair yoga is a great way for older adults to get the wonderful health benefits of yoga, loosening and stretching painful muscles, reducing stress and improving circulation. By remaining seated you can safely do the exercises.

Myofascial Tightening Stiffness Due To Decreased Collagen

As we age, we lose flexibility in our muscles and connective tissue, which results in stiffness, imbalance, and less confidence while balancing.How yoga can help: If you don’t use it, you lose it! A regular yoga practice can help reverse some of that acquired stiffness. Gentle, regular stretching can help keep your body fluid and flexible. We’re often as amazed as our yoga students when we see the changes that habitual stretching and movement can confer. You don’t have to touch your toes, but yoga might get you a little closer to them.

Are There Any Simple And Easy Yoga Poses For Seniors

Sukshma Yogais a practice that uses small motions to open up the subtle energy channels in the body. Sukshma Yoga techniques are incredibly simple and easy and lead to deep relaxation. People of every age can practice and receive the benefits of these exercises, which can be practiced alone or within a larger sequence. The routine includes gentle exercises for the eyes, tongue, jaw, neck, hands, feet, knees, ankles, and hips. Check out Sukshma Yoga Exercises to Relax You in 7 Minutes.

What Are The Different Benefits Of Yoga For Seniors

Yoga helps keep the joints steady and flexible.

Helps maintain healthy bones and muscles.

Improves digestion and clears bowel movements.

Regulates blood pressure.

Perhaps, one of the best things about yoga for seniors is the chance to mingle and bond with others. This priceless addition keeps the mind engaged and happy, alleviating depression and loneliness. Enjoy your yoga at any age. Just keep some guidelines in mind.

Worst Exercises For Seniors And Better Alternatives

Mark Norey, CPT

When you’re over 50, working out can easily lead to injury. So, avoid the worst exercises for seniors and try lighter versions instead.

Age might be just a number, but not when it comes to fitness and working out. The older you are, the more prone to injuries and complications your body is.

So even though some might be in top shape at the age of 50, they’re definitely not spared from any health issue and injury.

Below are the most dangerous exercises for seniors, including one trending workout that can lead to fatal complications if you’re over 50.

Importance Of Physical Activity To Prevent Dementia

Physical activity to prevent dementia In studies investigating the effect of various factors upon dementia, exercise and physical activity have consistently turned out to be the most effective.Even though the direct impact of exercise upon dementia is not properly established, the advantages of physical activity in terms of reducing the dementia risk factors are undeniable.

How Does Yoga For Seniors Differ From General Yoga

The yoga asanas suggested for an elderly person may be the same as those for a younger individual. The difference lies in the effort and time spent in a posture, and the flexibility involved. However, if you have high endurance levels, you will be able to perform the cardiovascular movements and abdominal exercises to satisfaction.

More Exercise Means More Independence For Seniors:

Seniors that exercise regularly are less likely to depend on others. According to Harvard Medical School, regular exercise promotes an older adults ability to walk, bathe, cook, eat, dress, and use the restroom. If self-reliance is a priority, exercise is one of the best ways to maintain independence for older adults.

Chair & Standing Routines: Ageless Yoga Volume 1

Led by Harvard University Center for Wellness instructor John Schlorholtz, this is a great chair yoga DVD for older adults who have difficulty getting down on the floor. It features a variety of routines that offer you a choice of either sitting in a chair or using a chair for stability while standing.

Reasons To Practice Yoga In Your 70s And Beyond

1. Improve balance

Yoga tones muscles and works on your proprioception — your sense of position in space. Practicing postures that emphasize standing and balance can help build strength and confidence, too. “About 80 percent of proprioception is in your ankles, so standing poses are important, particularly for people in their 70s,” explains Payne “As you get more sedentary, your sense of balance atrophies. ‘Use it or lose it’ really does apply.”

You can save on eye exams, prescription drugs, hearing aids and more

2. Sharpens your mind

Unfortunately, as we age, our thought processes aren’t as sharp as they once were. The upshot: A 2016 International Review of Psychiatry study reported that practicing yoga relaxation techniques for 30 minutes had immediate beneficial effects on brain function and performance among people with multiple sclerosis. “Focusing on the breath and synchronizing it with movement helps keep the mind clear and engaged,” Atkins says. Breathing exercises such as alternate-nostril breathing help harmonize the left and right hemispheres of the brain, which correlate to the logical and emotional sides of the personality.

3. Boosts mood

Yoga’s combination of breathing, meditation and movement creates an overall sense of well-being. In fact, studies show yoga has a greater impact on enhancing mood and reducing anxiety than other forms of exercise. The reason? Yoga boosts levels of the brain chemical GABA, which helps calm nerves.

Alternatives In The Practice Of Yoga For Seniors

There is a possibility that, if an older adult is very physically challenged, he or she can do yoga for seniors sitting down in a chair, simplifying some postures and avoiding others. The sequences can be regulated to the rhythm of each practitioner and can even be done in their own homes.

The best part of a yoga routine at home is that it’s easy to adapt to the skills of a senior, home workouts are 100% customizable. As long as there is desire, medical approval, knowledge of the discipline, and care of the body, any movement is a possibility.

Older adults may perform the traditional asanas, however, they’re likely to require more effort, take longer to move from one to another and achieve goals, and demand more caution, so that the priority is to keep you safe and comfortable.

Many times the spirit is there, but the physical and good health are not. The body becomes a limitation when there is energy but no physical possibility to perform as you would like. And that inevitably translates into suffering and the older adult becoming closed to the possibilities of activating their physical potential. They feel diminished and enter a labyrinth from which they can’t find the way out to feel better.

It’s true that older adults are more fragile as the body naturally wears out with the passage of time but well trained, we should be able to avoid suffering.Staying active and healthy can be achieved in many ways even for yoga beginners that have not been that active in their youth.

Strike A Pose: The Benefits Of Yoga For Seniors

Have you ever considered trying yoga? September is Yoga Month, so it might just be the perfect time to give it a go!

What is yoga?

Originating in India around 6 B.C., yoga is a mind, body, and spiritual practice that blends physical poses and breathing exercises to achieve peacefulness of body and mind, helping participants relax and manage stress and anxiety.

Also called postures, yoga poses are movements intended to increase flexibility and strength. From lying flat on the floor while completely relaxed to complex moves that require intense balance and practice, yoga poses can range from simple to challenging.

Because breath signifies your vital energy, controlled breathing is a key component of yoga. Yoga practitioners believe that controlling your breathing pattern can help you control your body and calm your mind.

There are many styles, forms, and intensities of yoga. A good choice for stress management, hatha yoga is one of the most common styles; its slower pace and easier movements also make it a good choice for beginners and for seniors.

Safe for older adults?

Older adults should be sure to talk to their healthcare provider before beginning yoga if they have any of the following:

A herniated disk

A risk of blood clots

Eye conditions, including glaucoma

There are several proven benefits for people who practice yoga regularly:

Stress reduction

Improved physical fitness

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Yoga For Seniors: Recommendations For Beginners

If you’re a senior who has never done yoga or are resuming it long after you’ve stopped, it’s ideal to start with a gentle routine because you may have lost muscle mass and stretching ability.

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind before you dive into the world of yoga:

Don’t practice without prior medical consultation

Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely

Prepare the body with a series of joint movements to warm it up.

Learn the exercises under the supervision of a professional to avoid getting hurt. Then you can continue to do them alone but once you know the guidelines.

Warn the instructor if you have injuries or previous surgeries and ask all your doubts.

Don’t eat large amounts of food before class. The lighter you feel, the more enjoyable the practice.

Don’t force your moves, don’t let anxiety win you over! Little by little you’ll evolve in your possibilities

So keep in mind that there is a yoga practice available for you that will do you good physically, psychologically, and socially. It’s never too late for you to start, on the contrary, it’s a great initiative to keep you lucid. Try to improve yourself but avoid overexertion.

The Health Benefits Of Exercise In Older Adults

Our biology changes as we get older, causing seniors to have different reasons for staying in shape than younger generations. Though physical fitness provides benefits at any age, the health perks physically fit seniors enjoy are more notable. Physicians and researchers say seniors should remain as active as possible, without overexerting one’s self. In older adults, exercise helps you live a longer, healthier, and more joyous life.

Some of the benefits of exercising later in life include:

An Introduction To Gentle Yoga For Older Adults Margaret ManningHealth and Fitness

When I ask the members of the Sixty and Me community what is holding them back from building their dream life after 60, poor health and excess stress are the two most common answers.

It sometimes feels like, by the time we reach our 60s, we have a lifetime of tension locked in our bodies. On the inside, we feel young and vibrant. On the outside, we feel more than a little stiff, tired and out of shape.

The problem is that, when we feel disconnected from our bodies, everything else in our lives suffers. We are more irritable around our friends and family, causing unnecessary tension. We are less likely to get out into the world and pursue our passions. We are limited in our travel options. Simply put, when our bodies are suffering, we suffer.

Exercise Helps Prevent And Counteract Disease:

Heart disease, osteoporosis, depression and diabetes are common diseases among older adults, and are often deadly. Fortunately, adopting a more active lifestyle can contribute to the prevention of these diseases, or reduce the unpleasant symptoms of these diseases if you already have them. If you are at-risk for disease, exercise may be the key to warding off an unpleasant condition.

Yoga Keeps The Mind Sharp And Reduces Anxiety

Yoga allows you to slow down your breathing and meditate, creating a quiet time for calm reflection. Giving your mind a break from the frantic pace of everyday life can relieve stress and keep you centered and organized. Many people who practice yoga regularly report improvement in their mood and sleep patterns.

To learn more about which yoga poses can help with a variety of health conditions facing seniors, .

Yoga For Seniors: Everything You Need To Know

More and more people in their later years are discovering the mental, physical, and emotional benefits of yoga for seniors.

Maybe you know someone who has started doing yoga, and you have become interested in starting yoga yourself. Maybe you are living with pain or ailments, and you are interested in if and how yoga can help you. In this article, you can read all about the benefits of yoga, how to start a yoga practice, which classes might be for you and you’ll get recommendations on resources to help you get started.

A lot of people feel intimidated by the postures shown when you google yoga and think that yoga is only for the already fit and flexible. Nothing could be further from the truth! All you have to do is make sure you are choosing yoga poses that suit you. If you are uncertain in any way about your physical abilities to start yoga, first speak with your doctor or healthcare professional. They will be able to guide you and also make sure that you are aware of any specific movements or breathing techniques that you should not be doing. 

Yoga is an easy practice to get into and there are classes and routines for all body types, fitness, and experience levels. You are never too old to start yoga!

Do Yoga Asanas Boost Immunity In The Elderly

Here again, the Patanjali Yoga Sutras provide a clue. “Heyam Dukham Anaagatam.” It means, ‘Avoid the misery that has not yet come.’ As we grow older, the efficiency of the immune system deteriorates, paving the way for various diseases. Regular practice of yoga techniques such as asanas, pranayama and meditationcan help avoid these conditions. So make your life happier and more fulfilling with yoga.

Yoga Is For Everyone Especially Older Adults

One of the biggest misconceptions about yoga is that it is designed primarily for younger people, who want to increase their flexibility. In reality, no group can benefit more from yoga than older adults.

In the introduction video, Cat talks about one of her students that came to her class with a challenging medical condition. This person was unable to twist or raise her hands above her shoulders, but, after just a few months of practice, she was able to work her way up to a handstand.

Of course, yoga is not a replacement for traditional medicine and you should always talk with your doctor before starting any new exercise program, but, the results that people see are often powerful and surprising.

Gentle yoga is perfect for older adults. It’s easy to get into. It’s a self-paced activity that we can do from the comfort of our own homes. Perhaps most importantly, it addresses many of the specific challenges that we face as we age including sore joints, stress, muscle tension, flexibility and balance.

Yoga For Seniors Promotes Your Overall Well

Yoga practice is a wonderful form of exercise at any age. Research shows yoga benefits your mental and physical health, helping to strengthen muscles, improve balance, lessen anxiety, improve depression, and decrease your risk of falls.

When beginning a yoga practice, find an in-person beginner’s class or follow along with online videos. Be sure to find a type of yoga that works best for you, looking for classes titled restorative, hatha, beginner, or chair yoga.

When starting any fitness routine, be sure to speak to your physical therapist or healthcare provider. In addition, be sure to schedule your daily Snug check-in so you’re not just healthy, but safe. If your family member or friend opted to receive your daily check-in, they know you safely completed your workout — and perhaps your newly-formed fitness routine will encourage them to start their own.

Chair Yoga For Seniors: A 30 Minute Routine

You might want to do this chair yoga routine along with your older adult so they can watch your movements.

It’s a fun activity to do together and you’ll get the health benefits too!

The only equipment that’s needed is a sturdy chair that allows your older adult’s feet to touch the floor.

An optional accessory is a belt, , or long hand towel to aid in stretching.

In case you want to skip around, we’ve noted the time markers for each section of the routine.

Warm up poses for heat and circulation This is a great way to warm up the body, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.

This section lasts 10 minutes and could be a nice short routine in itself.

Standing poses for balance and strength These yoga poses are done while holding on to the back of the chair.

If your older adult isn’t strong or balanced enough to do this section safely, it might be safer to skip it.

Lower body poses for flexibility In this section, a belt or strap helps with stretching – any long belt, , small towel, or sturdy rope will do.

Even if your older adult doesn’t use a belt, they can still benefit from the movements.

Shavasana is a restful pose usually done at the end of a yoga class. Just relax and focus on breathing slowly and deeply.

Instructor Sherry wraps up the class.

Exercise Improves Balance For Older Adults:

Falling down is a much bigger deal for older adults than younger ones. Every 11 seconds, an older adult is admitted to an emergency room for a fall-related injury, and every 19 minutes, a senior dies from a fall, according to the National Council of Aging. Though no two falls are alike, and preventing falls is very complex, regular exercise reduces the likelihood of falling by 23%.

Yoga For Seniors: Is It Right For Everyone

Lately I’ve seen more than a couple of very fit, good-looking senior men in dance, yoga, and Pilates studios. They may be trendsetters who are so secure in their masculinity that they’re not afraid to try out new moves.

Yoga studios have popped up everywhere, but what do seniors need to know about yoga as it is suitable for senior bodies?

The Best Types Of Yoga For Senior Citizens

Whether you’re aiming to get stronger and more flexible or you just want to decompress and still your mind, yoga can help. But with the dozens of different styles that exist, it can be tough to figure out which type is most appropriate for you. Remember that a key consideration is your physical condition and fitness level. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise regimen.

Here are eight types of yoga that may offer what you need:

Why Is Yoga For Seniors A Perfect Activity

You don’t need to be young or flexible to practice Yoga – it is a state of mind and not of body. That is why Yoga for Seniors is such a great activity. * Its can assist with regaining control and confidence * It can prevent falls * It can make your body stronger, improve and maintain their physical mobility Learn about the benefits of Yoga for seniors and the methods to practice Online #Yoga #Seniors #falls

What Is The Best Type Of Yoga For Seniors

What Is the Best Type of Yoga for Seniors? Center

has gained popularity for its positive effects on mind and body. It’s an ancient practice that has deep spiritual and philosophical roots, consisting of:

Yama: Abstinence from unhealthy food and practices

Asanas: Postures or movements

Ahaar: practices

When performed correctly, yoga is believed to balance “chakras” or points of energy in the body, helping to maintain optimal health and mental wellness.

What Are The Benefits Of Yoga For Seniors

Older adults who struggle with , joint , imbalance, osteoarthritis, and other physical limitations can benefit from incorporating a yoga practice into their daily routine. Strengthening the core muscles and improving balance also prevent the likelihood of falling, which can be a common concern as people get older. 

Physical and mental benefits of yoga include:

Building muscle strength

Enhancing balance, flexibility, and mobility

Alleviating aches and cause by bad posture

Promoting better breathing and helping with lung issues

Helping with weight loss

Benefits Seniors Can Gain From Doing Yoga

Movement is essential to keeping the body strong and functioning well, far into old age. This can be a bit tricky when our bodies decide to go against us as we age, causing stiffness, soreness, and loss of mobility.

Luckily, there are long-practiced exercises associated with benefiting seniors, such as water aerobics and lawn bowls. But what about yoga?

Yoga is something anyone can enjoy, no matter their age, size, or ability. Yes, some people are incredibly flexible and make it look completely impossible! But that’s only a goal and not a necessity. There’s no reason why seniors shouldn’t enjoy yoga, and there are many reasons why they should.

There are so many benefits the seniors can enjoy from practicing yoga. Here we have picked the top 6 that you should know about, and we’ll explore them together.

Regular Exercise Improves Brain Function:

One of the most remarkable developments in health science is the revelation that the mind and the body are much more closely linked. A healthy body likely means a healthy mind, and seniors that exercise on a regular basis have improved cognitive health, according to research from NCBI. More recently, a study from the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, regular exercise has been shown to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia by nearly 50%.

Why Yoga For Older Adults Is So Important

Since good health is central to finding happiness after 60, I set out to find a solution to the problems of stress, tension and pain that many of you told me that you were dealing with.

After talking with experts in various fields, I settled on gentle yoga as the best place to start and set out to find an amazing teacher. Eventually, I had to send my team all the way to beautiful Bali to work with the amazing, Cat Kabira.

Cat is an amazing woman, filled with warmth, generosity and passion. She has also been teaching yoga for 14 years and has worked with thousands of people over the age of 60. We absolutely fell in love with her!

Before we filmed the actual yoga sequences, we sat down with Cat to film a short introduction to gentle yoga video that you can watch on this page. Our goal was to demystify some of the aspects of yoga and talk about its transformational potential. Even if you decide never to purchase a yoga video or attend a class, I hope that you will take the time to watch this introduction.

Here’s what I learned from Cat’s introduction to gentle yoga for older adults.

Yoga Doesnt Require Any Special Equipment

Another misconception about yoga is that it requires lots of expensive equipment to get started. It’s true that having a yoga mat can make your yoga journey more comfortable – especially if, like me, you have sore knees. But, the truth is that many of the yoga instructors I talked to said that they started without any equipment at all.

In the introduction to gentle yoga video at the end of this article, Cat explains some of the equipment that you might want to consider using. She also provides alternatives to some of the more popular items. For example, books can make an excellent substitution for a yoga block and pillows can replace a bolster.

The bottom line here is that money should never be a reason to avoid starting your yoga journey. Yes, yoga videos, mats, blocks and bolsters help. But, even if you just visit your local library and check out a book on yoga for free, that’s a great start too.

Yoga Can Be A Gateway To A Healthier Life

Perhaps the most important message that I took away from the introduction to gentle yoga for older adults video is that yoga is a gateway to a healthier life. Earlier, we talked about the negative spiral that we enter when our health prevents us from engaging in the world.

The opposite is also true.

As you begin your yoga journey, you will start to feel different in your body and your mind.

As you gain confidence and flexibility, you will be more likely to step out into the world and explore your passions. As you eliminate stress and tension from your body, your relationships with others will improve. As you learn to listen to your body, you will gain an appreciation and respect for the nutrients that it needs and will be more likely to make healthy eating choices.

If I have one wish for our gentle yoga video series, it’s this – I want as many people as possible to get on the path to a healthier life after 60. I want us to break the stereotypes about aging and show the world, and more importantly ourselves, that life after 60 can be filled with vitality, energy and passion.

Have you tried yoga before? What was your experience? What is the one thing that you would most like to get from your yoga practice? What is the one thing preventing you from getting started? Please add your thoughts in the comments below.

How To Start Practicing Yoga For Seniors

Yoga practice increased dramatically in popularity in recent years, with the number of yoga practitioners raising from 20.4 million to 36 million from 2012 to 2016 according to the Yoga Alliance. In addition, there are more older practitioners than ever before, with over 14 million practitioners over the age of 50.

These numbers tell you that yoga is for everyone — including older adults. With that said, you should always exercise caution when starting a new fitness program. Work directly with your doctor or physical therapist when devising an exercise plan, and work within your fitness level.

Here are a few yoga-for-beginners tips to help you get started: 

Find a yoga teacher: Check your local library, YMCA or YWCA, or Silver Sneakers clubs for a list of yoga classes. You may be surprised to find free or discounted classes for seniors. 

Follow along on YouTube: If you live in a rural area or somewhere that in-person classes are not available to you, follow along with yoga videos online. Below, we’ll share a few yoga videos for seniors. 

Find the type of yoga that works best for you: Hatha yoga, restorative yoga, and yoga with chair exercises are usually more suitable for older adults because they’re slower paced. They involve holding poses for longer periods of time. Vinyasa, ashtanga, and power yoga are fast-paced yoga practices, with inversions and other advanced movements.

Yoga Promotes Good Bone And Joint Health

As you age, your bones naturally lose density and joints become stiffer. A gentle yoga practice can be effective in preventing and slowing bone density loss, and is safe for those with osteoporosis. Whether you are looking to prevent osteoporosis or relieve painful symptoms caused by an existing bone condition or fracture, yoga postures and stretches can be extremely beneficial. Regularly moving your joints can help reduce stiffness and joint tenderness.

Tell your yoga instructor about any bone conditions you have. He or she may be able to provide you with props such as blocks, straps, and inflatable balls that can help you avoid further injuries.

What Are The Best Yoga Poses For Seniors

Yoga is great for older adults, but it’s important to attempt yoga poses only after consulting a doctor and only under the guidance of a trained professional. Those with conditions such as uterine prolapse, , disk herniation, or advanced may need to avoid certain yoga poses.

Standing yoga poses

Helps keep the spine straight, preventing slouching

Helps strengthen the arm and leg muscles, encouraging stability

Sitting yoga poses

Helps clear bowel movements, regulating

Stretches the thighs and knees, reducing joint and pain

Shishuasana

Relaxes the back and helps relieve backache

Marjariasana

Strengthens the back and shoulders

Shalabhasana

Tones the neck and back muscles, increasing flexibility

Tones the abdominal organs and improving digestion

Pawanmuktasana

Helps release and relieve digestive issues

Increases blood circulation to the hip joints, releasing tension in that area

Chair yoga poses

Also called desktop yoga poses, these are convenient because they can be performed while sitting on a chair. Neck roll, cow stretch, seated forward bend, eagle arms, seated spinal twist and temple rub are all chair yoga poses that have huge health benefits:

Relaxes the neck and back muscles

Helps alleviate body pain, tension, and

Increases flexibility

What Kind Of Asanas Are Best For Seniors

If you are easily fatigued, it is best to substitute warm-ups for walking and gentle joint movements, such as wrist and ankle rotations. 

Standing yoga postures such as Triangle Pose .

Yoga postures done while lying on the back or stomach, such as Cobra Pose can help to strengthen the back and increase flexibility in the spine.

Yoga Nidra, or , is by far the most essential part of any yoga practice, and with age, the pose becomes even more essential to help assimilate the effects of yoga practice into the body.

Tai Chi And Qigong Exercises For Seniors

Tai Chi! Qigong and Tai Chi are ancient Chinese exercises that have numerous proven benefits in users such as decreasing anxiety and mental depression, improving cognitive skills, strengthening muscles and bones, and many more besides. After spending ages researching the effects of these exercises, we bring to you today’s post: how can practice Qigong and Tai Chi positively affect the lives of many seniors?

Yoga Helps Seniors Become More Flexible

Yoga involves gentle, guided stretching, which can help seniors develop greater flexibility and improve their range of motion. A limited range of motion can make older adults predisposed to falls and get in the way of daily activities. Increased flexibility can help keep seniors safe and allow them to care for themselves more independently.

Many yoga postures help with spinal flexibility. Keeping the spine flexible reduces the likelihood of stiffness and pain in the back and neck, helping you feel younger and healthier.

Strengths And Limitations Of This Study

This is the first randomised controlled trial to explore the effects of yoga on well-being compared with a physically active and inactive control group among elderly adults.

Inclusion of both active and inactive control groups enables comparison of the effects on several levels, including indirect effects of the yoga intervention.

All exercise will be free of charge, instructor-led and undertaken at established fitness centres, decreasing the risk of adverse events.

Generalisability of study findings may be limited by a healthy entrant bias.

Subjective measurements of physical activity could overestimate activity levels.

How Should Seniors Practice Yoga Asanas

The Yoga Sutras define Asana as “sthira sukham asanam,” which translates into “that which is stable and comfortable is an asana.” In layman’s terms, any posture held with awareness in a stable and comfortable manner constitutes an asana. So don’t worry – twisting yourself into a pretzel is not the only way to practice yoga! As long as you move with awareness of your breath, body, and mind, you are practicing yoga.

Best Yoga Poses For Seniors And Adults

For many seniors, aging comes with inevitable health problems. Stiff joints, aching backs and less energy are just some of the things facing seniors, not to mention potential concerns like heart disease, obesity and mental health disorders.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to help older adults manage their health and well-being. A combination of healthy eating, routine medical care and exercise can help seniors feel healthier and stronger. Yoga offers a great way for seniors to get moving, practice mindfulness and improve their overall health.

Check out the infographic below to learn more about these great yoga poses for seniors.

Upward Salute

Eases back pain and stiffness

Supports those with low mobility

Safety And Comfort Is The Top Priority

The number one priority is to keep your older adult safe and comfortable.

None of these movements should hurt.

Make sure your older adult moves slowly and gently and pays attention to their body. It’s better to do a little less rather than risk injury.

Older adults should follow the instructor’s movements only as far as is comfortable.

Even if they only do a fraction of the range of motion or have to skip some movements, they’ll still benefit from the exercises.

Over time, their flexibility and strength will improve and they’ll be able to do more and more.

Getting Started Safely And Confidently

If you have a chronic condition, balance issues, or injuries, talk to your doctor about how you can exercise safely. For example, if you have osteoporosis, you can participate in yoga—but you may need to avoid forward bends and twists. But with proper medical guidance, even people who have previously fallen or been seriously injured can get stronger with yoga.

Then, keep in mind that teaching styles may vary between yoga classes and instructors, so it’s a good idea to call your local studio or fitness center before committing to a new class.

“Let them know what your concerns are, particularly if you have any health conditions,” says Sage Rountree, yoga instructor and coauthor of Lifelong Yoga. “They might steer you toward something that’s an even better fit for you than what you might choose for yourself.”

The Benefits Of Yoga For Older Adults

Yoga cultivates a mind-body connection, combining stretching and strengthening postures with deep breathing and relaxation. Despite its roots in Eastern philosophy, yoga as practiced in the West is generally focused on physical fitness. It still has a aspect, but it is not overtly religious. People of all faiths and belief systems can benefit from participating in yoga.

Because the poses

Here are some of the benefits of yoga for seniors:

Yoga Poses To Avoid With Osteoporosis

The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimated that osteoporosis affected 12 million people as of 2010. Osteoporosis puts your bones at risk for fracture, which can compromise the ability to do daily tasks, cause severe pain, negatively affect your posture and shorten your spine. Yoga can help people with osteoporosis by offering weight-bearing exercises to stimulate bone growth. The risks of certain poses outweigh the benefits when you have osteoporosis.

Copd Chronic Bronchitis And Emphysema

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , chronic bronchitis, and emphysema make breathing very challenging and limit your ability to do cardiovascular activities.How yoga can help: Yoga is low impact. For this reason, it is a useful movement practice if you have COPD or similar respiratory problems. Additionally, a yoga practice often has pranayama, or breath practices. Focusing on inhaling and exhaling can be useful if you have a chronic breathing problem, since breathing exercises can potentially help strengthen muscles used in respiration. Time spent in mindful breathing can also help you have more awareness of your breath; noticing when you get breathless or when you feel short of breath can help you seek treatment quickly.

The Only Yoga Rule You Need To Follow

The Yoga Sutras contain bits of wisdom and yoga philosophy. This text is one of the earliest yoga books. Regarding yoga poses, the sutras don’t say much. Yoga sutra 2.46 tells us simply that yoga poses should be steady and comfortable. Knowing that this is the only prescription for the poses frees us from feeling like our yoga practice has to look a certain way. A yoga student can do a handstand, or not; a lunge, or not; a balance pose, or not. Your practice is your practice. Find strength and ease, and do what works for you.

Membership Spotlight

What Type Of Yoga Is Best For Seniors

The best type of yoga for seniors is one that can be done gently and in which you can take your time to perform the different poses. Within the several styles of yoga available are those specifically designed for the elderly that are practiced at a slower pace and allow you to stop as your body requires.

If you don’t find classes specifically designed for seniors, you can opt for a quiet style of yoga for beginners. Both Kripalu and Viniyoga are good alternatives since they fit the current need of each practitioner. Iyengar yoga is another option as it gives much prominence to the use of objects, which favor the construction of asanas.

Restorative yoga is a good option because it’s a meditative and gentle form of yoga, in which you release tension without stretching. However, the postures are usually maintained for a long time, so you must pay attention that this isn’t annoying or harmful for you.

There is also a type of yoga called Sukshma Yoga in which the whole body relaxes with easy exercises for the eyes, jaw, tongue, neck, hands, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. It’s well suited for seniors who want to perform simple movements with gentle stretches and combine them with breathing techniques.

What Kind Of Asanas Should Seniors Do

The types of asanas that seniors should do are those that are done standing up or those that can be done with some support, that means sitting, lying down, or in a chair since they’re best suited to their needs. In this way, you’ll be preserving your integrity if your balance fails, and you won’t be exposing yourself to the complications that investments can bring, for example, if you suffer from high blood pressure.

What happens with inverted asanas is that the legs are above the heart and the heart is above the head, and that tends to raise the blood pressure and even the eye pressure. In addition, the throat can be squeezed and cause breathing to be difficult, which also causes blood pressure to rise.

In kneeling asanas or sitting on a chair or mat you can roll your neck, bend forward and twist your body. You can also adapt asanas such as the cat-cow by curving the back and lifting the chest, and conversely, by hollowing out the back and dropping the head forward. Or by putting your arms in an eagle pose: you stretch both arms forward, cross your right arm over your left one, bend your elbows and meanwhile bring your palms of your hands together in front of your nose. This asana is perfect for pain relief if you have carpal tunnel syndrome.

Yoga For Seniors With Lower Back Pain

You can adapt your yoga for senior sessions if you have lower pain back whenever you have a contracture or discomfort. You’ll need to strengthen your core, give flexibility to your spine, and focus on maintaining an overall correct posture because you may be compensating for a bad postural habit with your lower back.

This condition is very common and usually has a mechanical origin. In many cases, it can be due to the fact that we spend a lot of time from our days sitting in front of a computer, stressed out, and not caring about alignment. It’s also due to the fact that we lead a sedentary life, don’t exercise, and our abdominal muscles are weak. This has repercussions on our lower back, causing pain, which limits you.

If you suffer from any pathology that requires medical attention, make sure that your doctor/physio approves your yoga sessions. That way, you’re ready to recover on the mat! Or why not in the chair? Many times, when we have back pain, our legs become rigid and it’s convenient to work sitting down to restore mobility to both the lower back and the extremities.

There are some details that we can take care of during our yoga class, such as gently disarming the forward bending postures with your knees slightly bent. You can also use accessories, which assist you in the movements and poses. Making conscious movements using abdominal strength, and not the lumbar, is key to avoiding discomfort in the area.

Yoga For Seniors: How To Get Started

You’re never too old to reap the rewards of yoga. For seniors who are looking for a safe, effective way to enhance their physical health and overall wellness, the stretching, breathing, and meditation practices of yoga can be a great solution. In fact, as you will see, doing yoga regularly can result in a host of benefits for older adults, from greater flexibility and improved balance to lower stress and better sleep.

It’s no wonder, then, that yoga is becoming increasingly popular among seniors. The 2016 Yoga in America Study found that nearly 14 million Americans over the age of 50 practiced yoga that year. That was a significant jump from the four million who did so in 2012.

This article outlines the many benefits of senior yoga and describes several of the best types of yoga for older men and women . It also offers information about basic poses and explains what you should do before you begin any yoga routine. And it even provides examples of helpful books, videos, and DVDs as well as tips on how to find appropriate classes.

Reasons To Practice Yoga In Your 50s

1. Minimize hypertension

“Yoga has a powerful effect on stress and hypertension and can help people reduce the amount of medication they need,” says Amy Wheeler, yoga professor at California State University at San Bernardino. In a review of 17 studies published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers reported significant reductions in blood pressure for interventions incorporating three basic elements of yoga practice: postures, meditation, and breathing. Researchers speculate that the slow, controlled breathing inherent in yoga practice decreases nervous system activity, which helps manage blood pressure levels.

2. Strengthen bones

“People in their 50s often develop the beginning stages of osteoporosis and low bone density,” notes Melinda Atkins, a yoga teacher in Miami. Studies consistently show that the weight-bearing activity of yoga helps slow bone thinning, reducing the risks of osteoporosis, particularly among postmenopausal women.3. Keep excess pounds at bay

Reasons To Practice Yoga In Your 60s

1. Reduce anxiety

Yoga induces the relaxation response, an alpha state between awake and asleep that helps modulate the way the body responds to stress. When faced with a potential threat , your heart beats faster, your muscles tense and you start to sweat. Yoga stops this process in its tracks, reducing your heart rate, lowering blood pressure and easing respiration. Case in point: A 2015 study published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported that women who participated in a 60-minute yoga class twice a week reported greater reductions in anxiety after the 8-week study period compared to those who didn’t participate.

2. Protect your joints

During your late 50s and early 60s, you may begin to notice that your joints aren’t as fluid as they used to be. Practicing yoga regularly can help lubricate joints, staving off debilitating disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome and . “It’s important to start caring for your joints, to help maintain your independence and preserve your ability to perform daily activities as you get older — things like brushing your teeth, combing your hair, getting dressed,” says Wheeler. Yin yoga, a type of practice where poses are held for up to 20 minutes, may be especially beneficial for lubricating and nourishing the joints.

3. Build strength and balance

[genesiagoudal-u8report]

🟣 WKM03: 1stDraft

⬛️ THEMATIC EXPOSITION

The theory of The alienation of the self ¹, developed by Karl Marx in 1932, describes one of the consequences to being one mechanistic part of the ensemble. Fifty years later, the Situationists International guaranteed that this global misery of social alienation has been spreading to every aspect of life and culture², due to the dictatorship of advanced capitalism.

On another level, social structures and over hierarchised forms of power have led the mass to master the art of social performance, a role-play cultivated through normalised education. This performance of embodying perfectly our own selves makes us strangers to our Gattungswesen, our species-essence¹.  The role-player, the everyday man, loses his ability to determine destiny and life. He is deprived of the right to conceive and to direct his own actions¹.

Debord’s spectacle may well be the everlasting sun³ that never sets over the empire of modernity. It burns and consumes the personal experience of consciousness. This mechanisation of reality leads me to investigate human's relationship to the I and the It⁴. To the I and the else. Indeed, an ability to position oneself within its environment could be key to define and, therefore, re-design its scope of action within the possession of its consciousness.

environment | ɪnˈvʌɪrənm(ə)nt, ɛnˈvʌɪrənm(ə)nt |, noun 1 the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.

The sensitive relationships our bodies have with their territories⁵ question politics of living together, both in terms of spatiality and sociability. Space, for example, models an objectified version of the world we live in. Its complex architecture, both physical, its buildings, streets, signs, and immaterial, its social structures, ways of navigating; geophilosophically, holds hierarchical systems. Ways to behave are preconceived. The perspective of an informed cognitive experience fades away as we acknowledge our impotence in the impact of the surroundings. It seems like we are not given the choice. We do forget that we have the choice .

Did we loose the skill of questioning our environment and acting for it?
How could be arouse in people a remastered sensation of power over the design of one's life experience?

experience | ɪkˈspɪərɪəns, ɛkˈspɪərɪəns | noun 1 practical contact with and observation of facts or events 2 an event or occurrence which leaves an impression on someone

Critical discourses have socially been confined to distinct areas within the polis, from the museum to the university; where the simplest notion of accessibility is still questioned. Creative thinking struggles to pass the walls of standardised learning environments and to find application within society's re-design agenda.

Participative experiences can help the wider audience to effectively regain that creative instinct to question, experiment, play with, learn and to position oneself within the world. It's inviting them to become more than a mechanistic part, they have control over the final creation. They are now considered. In Deleuzian words, I call for co-creative ways to foster transformable and transformative situations ⁶.

Through the 20th century onwards, we have witnessed artistic, political and theoretical attempts to challenge and nurture collective creativity. The Situationists have experimented with methods such as psychogeography ⁷ to disrupt mapped conceptions of urban environments. Another call for a total dissolution of the boundaries between art and life. A call for applied creative thinking. Modern and avant-garde artists explored mediums such as installation, performance, in-situ pieces to engage people in reflective, critical exchanges. They sparked debates using effective information assemblages, providing the public with keys to generate an opinion on current matters.

Nevertheless, these attempts were still socially and spatially assigned to the domain of art. Accessibility still questions. Design has a role to play to reach wider audiences and to open the dialogue even more. Historically, designed products and ads played a predominant role in the growth of the spectacular capital age. It shaped our perception of things, pushing consumption forward. Although, other graphic designers, Barbara Kruger, Rick Poynor, David Carson, understood its power to transmit messages and to provoke deeper emotions than: "Oh my god, I really need that anti-wrinkle lotion!". User-based experiences and the internet also helped significantly.

More recently, The Rodina, a duo of dutch graphic designers, ask themselves: How can design foster freedom and playfulness for its users? How can we create objects and situations that promote activity and participation for social good? ⁸

Their practice of performative design ⁸, is one way to challenge the action of co-creating the surface and its content. Designers, then, become facilitators of rich experiential debates. The act and choice of being present and conscious of the shared reality is necesarry for both designer and audience. It finally feels like we are looked upon as potent and powerful vectors of future re-designed possibilities.

Carrying one, my personal intentions as designer, researcher and facilitator are to break down pre-established knowledge formations and to provide individuals with accessible choices into learning and understanding the power of applied creativity. In other words, their power of influence. Within the spectrum of ‘post-critical’ design, I experiment with collective ways to inspire and engage people in the re-modelling of the everyday.

To design such tools and platforms, I work on combining theoretical research work (sociology, phenomenology, geography, politics) and practical creative experiments (art, design, vernacular). Thinking through making is another component of my creative journey, feedbacks are essential to re-assess my design's capability to challenge particular environments and beliefs systems.

I believe that this socialist approach to design can play a role in the decrease of established power structures, which constrain the act of deciding one's experience of consciousness and, therefore, life. Contrary to the affirmative design approach, I intend to defy the context instead of aligning with it.¹⁰ I consider participation as a soft power tool that can help to free oneself from Marx's theory: the estrangement.

⬛️ CASE-STUDY EVIDENCE

🟣 

As explained above, I aspire to question systems of knowledge and access to critical judgement in the everyday life. This focus on reformative education has been central to this first project: on classroom.

“People learn to learn as they learn.” Hein, G. (1954) Constructivist Learning Theory

Through the learning of hand-weaving, I had wished to regain a self composure by avoiding the digital realm. The technique did not really impress me, at first. Indeed, "I have always been a manual person".

Surprisingly, I had been wrong. My learning curve turned out to be far more disastrous and uncomfortable than I expected. Pressure and anxiety lead me to realise: how could I ever be legitimate enough to teach weaving to others? Doubt is present, but must be overcomed in my quest to become facilitator. With this in mind, I started to experiment and user-test early drafts.

My first and second attempts focused on achieving a gratifying individual learning experience. I would design an accessible customisable step-by-step guide to weaving, with a focus on relaxation and mental wellbeing.   But then, I started to question this guide's capacity to accomplish such ambitions. Again, "will anyone be able to complete weaves on my advices, and balance its natural emotional response to failure?" This desire for accessibility and optimal efficiency led me to reconsider the scope and agenda of the project. Looking back, I realised that the focus should be on the underlying issue: mental health awareness and mindfulness.

The target audience quickly drifted and became group-based. Indeed, a retrospective look at education seems essential to understand how and why stress and anxiety are so prevalent in today's world. It is certain that the race for progress and the strong competitiveness of society and its education system condition children to become alienated and profit-driven adults. A balance needs to be found. Without being too radical, reaching higher levels of empathy and mental health support given in schools nowadays, could be a first positive step towards change.  

Focusing on that perspective, my new designed attempt would target school groups of middle-aged children and facilitate interpersonal exchanges, practical mindfulness and human debates between adults and young people. In other words, a progressive educational space, re-evaluating the conscious and grounded experience of one's life in a world of constant, rapid mutations. I now ask myself, which design system could work in introducing active, mindful participation within the collective classroom space?

Mindfulness is recently gaining more public attention. We notice a current boom in initiatives towards wellbeing and better consideration of the individual. As an example, The Anna Freud Center is currently running a UK study named 'Inspire', introducing mindfulness as part of the national curriculum, through awareness classes, relaxation exercises and meditation. Though, it could be pushed forward.

Considering all this research and experiments, I started to draft a designed set of rugs allowing children to lie down, meditate, exercise and debate. Weaving will still be introduced by the textural aspect itself of the surface. The system will also be developped as a talking pillow with each rug stating words, topics of discussions opening up debates over the co-creation of the social classroom -break-schedule-pressure-community. etc. The emphasis is placed on the experience of understanding the feeling of being oneself within the environment, both in the present (as child) and in the future (as adults). My role here, as facilitator, is to provide enough informations, structure and materials for the experiment to thrive; and enough 'free' space to not over-power the specific needs of different classroom environments. Education has a role to play in the support of healthy and peculiar individual's learning journey.

Summerhill school is one positive example of a self-governed, co-designed community. "Our school decision-making process is democratic. Each adult and child has an equal vote." In a utopian world, perhaps my framework could, uniquely, facilitate the voting of common rules, as this affects everyone's well-being.

The outcome, informed by the craft, various experiments, my personal learning curve and a new approach to spatial participative mindfulness, is definitely one way to challenge our current relation with the I and the It in education and society nowadays. This conscious experience of body language intertwined with a re-discovery of the senses, the space and others will allow this third space to flourish. The focus is placed on the acknowledgement of the self and the community and how they can smoothly function together. Really, "We live at the same time in the common property world and in a private world" (Merleau-Ponty 2008, 335).

🟣 

A second project, on museum, provided me with more elements to critically reflect on another learning environment: the structure & agenda of the museum. The brief brings up another kind of challenge, it is anchored in reality. In fact, I will design an interactive for the '150 years of postcards' exhibition. This experience definitely supports my ongoing search for balance in between theory and practice.

The museum institution is shifting in its purpose and aspirations. Rapid societal developments urges the need for a change in the current museum definition. Debates are vivid, international committees are struggling to find agreements.

As of now: “A museum is a non-profit, permanent institution in the service of society and its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment.” (24 August 2007, ICOM, current definition)

A new definition was proposed in 2019, but got refused; categorised as outrageously inappropriate and politicaly-driven. Its lengthen, utopian formulations around equal rights, transparency, social justice and planetary wellbeing, potentially, does not represent what museums and cultural spaces are at the moment. The situation remains unclear. However, this call for hope and action inspires me deeply; things are starting to move and knowledge structures are being open to new, great potentialities.

Following my interest of creating tools for a greater interactive understanding of space, I primarily focused on designing a transparent publication encouraging visitors to be actors in the writing of the new museum definition. My positionning within the critical discourse was necessary to start clearly conceiving my final interactive for the Postal Museum. My first outcome, a 10 pages publication, leaves, meaningfully, fill-in-blanks texts and spaces to engage the public in a guided creative brainstorming. My intentions are to easily generate ideas and to collect countless personal perceptions of the museum, present and future.

To work out an enhanced, enjoyable experience for all, I experimented with ways to conduct the visitor through its pre-existing knowledge and awareness of the cultural space. Customisations and disruptions are encouraged. The conceptual window created by the page frame situates the artefact and the information it holds in dedicated environments, both the wire and the proposition. You are being considered within the co-creation of 'futurabilities'.

The artefact works as a sophisticated metaphor of the twenty-first century' museum. The use of glass as medium and the standardised printed format question the notions of transparency and openness. The publication's thickness allows it to stand on its own, as an exhibit piece. It becomes object of contemplation and a significant evidence of culture, in this instance, of the human participation towards collective knowledge.

“Visitors stop being passive observers; they change instead to active players who feel they’re somehow influencing the outcome of events.” (Sarah Fellows, Museum at play, p19)

Interactions transform the museum into a social and creative space. A greater visitor inclusivity, as primary source of knowledge, could enrich a positive learning and teaching practice in the everyday.

“Games allow the audience to look at objects in different ways, giving permission to question previous assumptions about the museum, its content and its place in the users’ lives. A recurring theme is the museum’s shift from a traditional “keeper of artefact” to a collection of “stories”.  (Katy Beale, Museum at play, p24)

As a second step, I designed a speculative workshop for the '150 years of Postcards' exhibition. Visitors are invited to imagine future means of communications, their own view on the future of postcards. Will be at their disposal, a designed set of blank postcards and contextual stickers to set up imaginary scenarios. Indeed, they are part of the story, they are the story, they are writing the story.

The power is given to the public to construct singular narratives. They will also be able to slide their newly found ideas and stories on a wall display. They are given immediate power over the exhibition.

The 'Changing Relationships to Play' workshop ('Permission to Play') given at the Wellcome Collection in February 2020, investigates ways to play, educate and spark creativity in same ways. The system escorts you through the re-creation of specific museum spaces by picking 3 cards  -an urban space or feature… -that senses or measures… -that makes you… - Together they form a context for you invention.

“How might creativity be nurtured in learners, teachers as well as in our existing and future learning environments?”  ('Teaching for Creativity', medium.com, Nov 9, 2018)

As these two projects unfolds, I strongly confirm my interests for a search towards creative teaching and learning through space and participation. I wish to provide people with clever and accessible tools to  comprehend their environment and the creative impact they can have on it. Such interactions will hopefully lead towards a growing inclusiveness in the (re)creation of the common world.

⬛️ ANALYSIS  Both of my design processes, for classroom and museum, strongly relied on the thinking foundations of my practice. Indeed, the process of conscious experience is acquired within the very walls of schools, within the home or other learning environments such as museums. These social, educational spaces are key and build on our understanding of the local and global environments surrounding us. In a positive or negative way, they do shape our vision of the world and the role we will have to play in it.

For the museum brief, my capacity of balancing theory and practice was well challenged. Indeed, I wished to work on the museum and for the museum at the same time, incorporating conceptual notions of progressive structures as well as tangible informations and systems to be used by specific audiences. This quest for legibility, accessibility and theoretical depth is certainly very ambitious to achieve, and can sometimes make the outcome unclear on both sides. However, I try to push my practice further everytime by experimenting and user testing a lot.

As with my classroom brief, mutliple attempts were necessary to finally realise that the scope of action had been mistaken from the beginning. By printing out one, two, three versions of step-by-step guides I understood that focusing on single individual's learning experiences were maybe less efficient and impactful than reaching out established classrooms, and so, the educational system itself.

On another level, aligning my medium choice with the brief and re-considering the act of creating the surface and its content everytime helps the generation of exciting and playful situations, as I am constantly learning as well. Co-creation is also, in the end, still a difficult process to attain or even enjoy fully. Letting go challenges my control over visuals and narratives. Nonetheless, a consensus can still be found between authorship and participation. Studios like Metahaven, do combine both aspects and still have some control over the visual creation or written texts. As long as what's being presented sparks discussions and engage people in action, a meaningful piece of work has been, in my point of view, accomplished.

"To design is to express something while disappearing as an author, even though you are the author. That is also unlike art. Designers are stealth authors, secret agents, ghostwriters. Yet, the definition of “ designer ” and what a designer is doing is not something that is fixed for eternity. There have always been different kinds of designers and different interpretations of design as an activity, including the social and political implications. Unlike what we are being told, it is not that all these interpretations merely peacefully coexist."(https://indexgrafik.fr/in-pratice-metahaven/)

⬛️ BIBLIOGRAPHY

¹  Karl Marx, (1818 –1883) , Theory of Alienation. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marx%27s_theory_of_alienation)

 ²  The Situationists International, (1957 –1972), On Marx’s Theory of Alienation.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situationist_International)

 ³  Guy Debord, 1967, The Society Of The Spectacle.

 ⁴  Spike Art Magazine, 2014, Artist’s favourites by Metahaven. (http://www.spikeartmagazine.com/articles/artists-favourites-3)

 ⁵  (1925–1995) Gilles Deleuze, and (1930–1992) Félix Guattari on Geophilosophy. (https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilles_Deleuze)

 ⁶  on Gilles Deleuze. (https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilles_Deleuze)

 ⁷  on Psychogeography.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychogeography)

 ⁸  The Rodina, 2015, Action to Surface. (https://www.therodina.com/actiontosurface/)

 ⁹  on Phenomenology. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenomenology_(philosophy))

 ¹⁰  Liene Jakobsone, 2017, Critical design as approach to next thinking, The Design Journal.  (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14606925.2017.1352923)

[spillingthearts]

THE HOWLS OF A TEENAGER: A Review of “The Wolves”

Based off of the title alone, the average person might think a play called, "The Wolves", would be about wolves. Then you see a picture of a soccer team and go, “oh, that makes more sense”, yet you’re still not completely right. It is not until you experience the show in person that you realize you’re watching your adolescent life being played out right in front of your eyes. This is what I experienced as Syracuse Stage rang in the new decade with their premier of  the Pulitzer Prize nominated drama, “The Wolves”, written by Sarah DeLappe and directed by Melissa Rain Anderson. The SU Drama co-production opened on January 22nd in the Storch Theater within the Syracuse Stage/SU Drama complex, less than a mile away from Syracuse University’s main campus. The cast includes a combination of SU Drama students and professional actors. Together they produced a relevant new work that can make an eye shed a tear while also laughing about how relatable many of the topics may feel.

As you walk into the theater you are given a small peek into the world of the girls club soccer team, The Wolves. Turf is laid between two sets of seating, that being the original arena seating of the Storch and additional seating on what would usually be upstage. You take your seat, settle yourself into the room, and watch the lights begin to fade out as the upbeat music rushes in. Nine girls in soccer uniforms rush into position and the lights fade up as they settle into a debate about tampon versus pad usage during sports. This is only the beginning of multiple conversations yet to come, overlapping one another so much that you only find yourself lost in their train of thought too. As the show continues, the team mentality is only further supported by the friendships put on display; the troubles of accepting a new person, being heard by others, feeling supported by your friends, facing the never ending problem of anxiety and eating disorders many young people face today, and at the end of it all, facing with the loss of a piece of the team.

Prior to entering the theater there is a sign that warns the audience about adult language and themes. How could that be so if this is a play about young girls? Once the show begins you realize that at one point you were that young girl or maybe you still are. I often feel that many people forget about the harsh truths we face as young people in an ever changing world. Older generations may not have had to face the topics young people do now, making a truthful piece of theater like this hard to digest. I found that many times during the show people became uncomfortable with the harsh language that was used and more risque topics of conversation between the girls. The truth is that young girls are not all flowers and sunshine; we often face rough times in our lives and go through our own hardships. We get mad and use unpleasant language because we are human. It is something that all young people go through or may still be going through. We all know the hardships of being a teenager and the pressure to aim for success. Every young person has faced the struggle of defining who you are and being accepted. Syracuse Stage Manage Director Jill Anderson notes that “the play uses [soccer] to give us a rare window into the conversations that young women coming of age at this time, in this country, are having everyday” in a letter presented in the playbill. This is a show that gives a peek into the world of the modern young women facing the ever changing world while also trying to navigate their own place in it. I did not play soccer or any sport throughout high school yet I remember having conversations about the world, life, and myself amongst my friends. At some time in my life, I had that friend group that made growing up bearable and easier to do because we were doing it together.

As a student in the SU Drama program I am amazed at the talent that it holds. I have seen many shows from both SU Drama and Syracuse Stage, yet neither have begun to disappoint me. It is amazing to see the combination of students and professional actors working together on stage to tell a very relevant story. This relationship between the professional theater and college allows the students to evolve and learn from professionals in the industry. I feel that the main campus often forgets about the large group that SU Drama is and the amount of talent it holds. There is a common goal of putting on relevant productions, like The Wolves, within this organization. With pieces like this, people get an insight of what it may be like to be a girl and go out to inform themselves further about the topics discussed in the show I encourage all people in the Syracuse area to take the time to go out and entertain themselves with this work of art. Not only will you be amazed by the talent your peers may possess, but also by the impact of the stories they tell.

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[thesimplyluxuriouslife]

252: The Characteristics of Being a Late Bloomer, and How Embracing This Gift Could Change the World for Everyone

"By necessity, we late bloomers are on a different, more challenging trajectory. As we travel through life, we encounter obstacles like the push for conformity, the oppression of groupthink, and the pains of self-doubt. But . . . in all these challenges, we find our hidden treasure. We unearth our individuality. We see that a path to excellence, to reaching our true potential, is available to all of us. Within these challenges lies our true power, our covert talents and secret advantages as late bloomers." —Rich Karlgaard, author of Late Bloomers: The Power of Patience in a World Obsesses with Early Achievement.

Unsurprisingly, the new book by Rich Karlgaard spoke to me and offered an abundance of reassurance and exhilaration. If the comments on IG a few weeks ago when I posted an excerpt from the book are any indication, you are or will be as well.

Especially as Americans we greatly celebrate, strive for, and thus put pressure upon ourselves, and either unconsciously or consciously, to figure out our path early, to achieve success quickly and when we don't we make faulty assumptions about what we can contribute which can erode our self-confidence and potentially prevent the gem that resides within us all to be discovered and then shared with the world enabling us to find deep, lasting inner contentment.

Karlgaard's new book is worth reading in-depth, from cover to cover as he delineates the obstacles that our culture currently needs to address with historical details, new studies, multiple anecdotal examples of how indeed the "late bloomer" simply needs time, patience and awareness to blossom at their own time, as well as the most difficult support to refute findings - neurology.

So while I will encourage you to read the entire book, in today's episode/post, I wanted to share with you the characteristics that you might find yourself identifying with when it comes to being a Late Bloomer and not realizing the gift of opportunity you have given yourself to enjoy the rest of your life.

15 Characteristics of a Late Bloomer

1.Curiosity is the late bloomer's fuel

"By its very nature, curiosity demonstrates an independence of mind."

To keep on blooming throughout the entirity of our lives, forever remain curious.

2. We are predisposed to be compassionate

"In facing the ups and downs of life, many late bloomers gain a greater sense of compassion. They show greater reflective thinking, diminished ego-centeredness, and a deeper appreciation of others' challenges."

Because late bloomers have faced struggles along the way, have refrained from conforming at the expense of our social connections and acceptance into "the group", we can more easily put ourselves into the shoes of others, we are more empathetic.

3.Better leadership skills are developed

Due to elevated compassion, workers view leaders more favorably, and combined with "authenticity and integrity", this trifecta of skills "improves retention and employee performance".

4. Resilience is developed and strengthened

"When it comes to developing resilience, the regulation of emotions gives mature people an advantange over the young: 'There is a naturally learnable set of behaviors that contribute to resilience. Those are the behaviors that we gravitate to more and more as we age'."

5. Emotion regulation is easier which cultivates a calmer demeanor which leads to more effectiveness and better relationships

"Our brains are driven to seek calmness as we age. Columnbia University social psychologist Heidi Grant Halvorson claims that calmness is central to happiness . . . research has long established that calm leaders are more effective".

Late bloomers naturally develop the skills necessary to find calmness if we choose to keep exploring, learning, listening and observing what works and what does not. This is where our curiosity helps tremendously leading us to the blooming stage of our lives that is authentic and unique to each of us.

6. Extensive insight

"Our insights are the result of us drawing on our full mental library of experience, patterns, and context, yielding an idea of extraordinary value."

Karlgaard explains that "the right hemisphere [of the brain] matures in childhood; the development of the left is consistent with the development of the prefrontal cortex, which is not fully mature until the mid-twenties". Due to the left-side's difference in development compared to the right, it takes time for us to see the connection of the awesome or unique events, sights and experiences of our lives and make sense of how we can utilize them in our unique way.

7. Navigation of life's ambiguity becomes easier

"Perhaps this is the perfection defintion of wisdom: reasoning and cognition based on knowledge and experience".

In other words, we are not born wise, but so long as we choose to be curious, continue to be life-long learners, we begin to build it. "Wisdom is the ability to see the layers of light that were harder to see when one was younger". And consequently, we have the opportunity to hone our intuition as to how to best navigate our journey even with the unknowns that are presented.

8. More easily determine what's important versus what's trivial

To piggy-back onto #7, because we have acquired knowledge about the world over time and have made the conscious choice to continue to learn, we are then better at discern patterns faster and jump to logical solutions more quickly.

9. A desire to cut the apron strings with your parents

"To fully bloom, we must declare our independence from our family. That doesn't mean we must reject their love . . . it means only that we must reach our own conclusions about what does and doesn't support our blooming."

Creating a healthy culture in which to bloom is analogous to the proper soil and conditions for a plant to flourish. Each plant will need different types of soil, different amounts of sunshine and shade, varying temperatures - some extreme, some moderate, and it all depends on the plant. Unlike the saying, "bloom where you are planted", we should instead get out of the soil we have been planted in and explore to discover where we truly thrive.

10. Adult peer pressure is real, and if you've felt it and tried successfully or not to not succumb, you may be a late bloomer

"Some of this [peer group] influence can be healthy and positive, as when we join a hiking club or sign up for a program to quit smoking. But not every peer push leads us to a better version of ourselves; not all communities support growth and positive change."

To break free from our peer group, even when we don't know why it feels uncomfortable or wrong (but we know it does), is not easy and it takes great inner strength to do so. However, it does become easier because we eventually begin to feel more in tune with our true selves, we feel a burden lift, we feel our energy surge because we are no longer trying to be or do something that isn't truly in line with what we can offer the world.

11. Societal pressure to conform is limiting to our true potential

"[Today's media] also promote cultural, racial or gender biases, either through stereotyping roles and behaviors, or under- or overrepresentation of minorities. And repeated exposure to media content can lead viewers to begin to accept media portrayals as representations of reality."

From the media's portrayal of how to socially engage, what dating should look like, what children should be doing at certain ages based on their gender, the values are repeatedly shared and included in endless amounts of media such as video games, movies, television, newspapers, magazines, books and radio, and since it is a passive medium, unless we are critical thinkers questioning everything we receive, it is easy to accept what is applauded as normal and what we should adhere to regarding our life's journey.

12. Letting go of comparisons

"Mass media ask us to compare our body shape, sex life, marriage, house, car, family and community to unattainable television versions of perfection. Social media ask us to compare our own commonplace or even boring reality against the curated accounts of how absoutely wonderful someone else's life is — people we know!"

When we stop comparing and start celebrating, we liberate ourselves and enable the opportunity to observe our own awesomeness without the outside world's close-minded criticism or limited acceptance.

The author shared something that I think is worth sharing here as a reminder that there are many paths to success, to reaching a goal, to attaining contentment. He writes, "There are always many ways to achieve a goal, gain expertise, or find success. In sports or music, they are easy to see . . . But it's not as easy to see multiple paths for success in most endeavors . . . [which leads to confusion. As a result,] we default to following norms and take the road everyone else is taking". And these paths to success have as much to do with professional "success" as well as personal "success". Your definition of a life of contentment, as I have said many times before on the blog and in my books, will most likely be very different than mine, but that doesn't mean we both cannot feel the contentment that is spoken about and written about that provides deep satisfaction and peace.

It is important that we all recognize that each of us will bloom at a different time.

"Each of us deserves the opportunity to bloom in our own way."

When we do this there are many invaluable benefits:

1.We protect ourselves, and others we encourage to bloom, in our own time from the consequences of disappoitnment or failure. (this doesn't mean there won't be bumps along the way, but it reminds us that it takes time to understand where we are headed and why)

2.We learn how to work with self-doubt and let it be our superpower.

"To bloom, we all must learn not to fear self-doubt but to embrace it as a normally occurring opportunity for growth and improved performance . . . The key to harnessesing self-doubt starts at the very core of our individual beliefs about ourselves . . . self-efficacy".

3. We strengthen our self-efficacy

Self-efficacy is an individual's confidence in their ability to accomplish what they set out to do.

4. Obstacles begin to be seen as opportunities to grow rather than road-blocks

"While you may feel a general sense of self-doubt . . . [you] proceed anyway".

5. Improved positive self-talk

"Positive self-talk can improve our performance by helping us regulate our emotions, thoughts and energy".

When we begin to see skill-sets that render positive results, we are more likely to invest in them. For example, positive self talk leads to more confidence, a strengthening our self-efficacy and thus improved performance with whatever task is in front of us. And so we continue to practice positive self-talk and it becomes stronger with this skill rendering more positive outcomes.

6. Stronger, healthier relationships

When you bloom, gravitate toward those who celebrate your blooming, and for those who initially are not, give them a moment to understand why your blooming makes them uncomfortable. Depending upon the person, they may not realize that their discomfort with your growth is a reflection of their disappointment in what they feel they could have achieved but didn't. This is all about them. Some will grow from this and remain in your life, others will not, and you will need to move on. But all of the skills you have acquired and applied will help lead you toward building not only healthier relationships with others, but a healthier, less critical relationship with yourself.

7. Excellence will arrive when you let your curiosity take over

"When [curiosity takes over], a sense of exploration also takes over. I get in the zone, and I go for it. I feel pulled, not pushed — pulled by a beautiful power I cannot explain."

8. The courage to repot when necessary

"When it comes to repotting, late bloomers have a distinct advatnage over early bloomers. We're naturally curious and resilient. We're not afraid to follow a different path or break free of convention. We genuinely want to see what's around the corner or over the hill. These late bloomer strengths enable —even propel— the change we need to find the right people and the right place to help us thrive."

Once you have a clearer understanding of who you are and what cultures and communities are best suited for you to bloom, you will have strengthened, as was mentioned above in the first list, an awesome skill set. This skill set will be your bedrock for being able to repot when and if it is necessary.

"We need to give ourselves a break. We need to recognize and celebrate the fact that we're all different, with different skill sets, developmental profiles and backgrounds and that each of us will forge a different path toward blooming."

Being a late bloomer is most certainly something to celebrate, and when we "change our story, we can change our behavior and even our life".

Let me leave you with this lasting thought from the book that resonately powerfully with me:

"If we're not forced to conform to standard timetables for success, we can —and will—bloom on our own schedules. And we can do it with a deeper sense of mission and a greater feeling of contentment. What we accomplish in the marathon of life depends on our persistence, our patience, and an ability to see ourselves as we really are. Our cultural obsession with youthful talent, with early achievement, distracts us from this simple truth. . . . our late bloomer power is different. It is the power to renounce what's supposed to happen in life and intead embrace what actually happens in life, with its ups and downs, twists and turns. It's the power to explore and experience, to be an individual. It's the power that comes with knowing and valuing ourselves."

Petit Plaisir

~The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding by Jennifer Robson

~read my review and reason for recommendation here.

TSLL BRITISH WEEK 2019 Posts:

Sunday May 19th

A Giveaway for Anglophiles: A Year’s Subscription to The English Home magazine and more!

TSLL’s First Annual British Week Begins!

~Do you enjoy reading TSLL blog and visit regularly, but would prefer to read the blog without ads? I have some good news for you. For a limited time, during British Week, the price for a monthly or yearly ad-free subscription has been reduced. Simply use the following promo codes below when you subscribe (or learn how to subscribe) here. The discount runs through Sunday May 26, 2019.

 Yearly $69.99 – Now $60/year – use promo code YEAR60Ad

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Learn more and subscribe here.

Tune in to the latest episode of The Simple Sophisticate podcast

[midwestregister]

Monitoring the Future and Teen Substance Use: Why We Need to Double Down on Education and Prevention

Originally posted on Caron

If you or someone you know is suffering from or at risk of an alcohol addiction, take the next step and reach out to a Caron specialist at 877-920-4849 or contact us online. 

In this year’s Monitoring the Future report, we saw an increase in teen vaping, with both nicotine and THC. However, we must remember that these statistics are not just numbers; each represents a child. One child using any kind of substance is one too many.

The survey provides evidence of the importance of education and prevention. Starting early and often, children need consistent messaging about alcohol and other substances. Repeated education and prevention strategies from schools, healthcare professionals, parents, spiritual leaders, coaches and other appropriate community partners is essential. We empower teens to make healthy choices by teaching them lifelong skills to handle a range of emotions and situations in a constructive way.

We know that the earlier a child begins using substances, the more likely he or she will develop a substance use disorder later in life. Specifically, a teen who begins using substances before the age of 15 has a four-time greater lifetime risk for developing a substance use disorder. For teens who are already using, early intervention is essential. By intervening on substance use and behavioral health issues right away, we prevent the likelihood of them experiencing significant consequences in their relationships, academics and future careers.

A SAMHSA initiative known as SBIRT – an acronym for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment – has been instrumental in guiding teens toward healthier approaches to life. Studies have shown a 40% reduction in the harmful use of alcohol and a 55% reduction in negative social consequences after undergoing brief intervention. That’s why Caron supports universal SBIRT screening for all 9th graders and works with school districts to implement SBIRT programs. In fact, I believe we should consider starting SBIRT as early as 6th grade.

We can learn from our past The media tends to focus on the MTF statistics that change the most. Given the focus on teen vaping, it’s unlikely we will hear much about alcohol consumption among teenagers. As a culture, we continue to minimize alcohol abuse with teens because there’s a misperception that it’s a rite of passage. Yet there are significantly more teens drinking than vaping, and more young adults dying of alcohol-related diseases.

We must ensure our discussion remains focused on substance use overall. We need to drill past the numbers to think hard about why teens use substances, drink alcohol or use nicotine. We tend to focus on the “substance of the day,” but it is essential that we work on the prevention of all substances and the promotion of healthy living.

Likewise, it’s just as important to pay attention to the shifts in students’ attitudes and perceptions – the underlying driver of substance use. We know that as perception of harm goes down, usage increases, opening the door for consequences we can’t even envision. We didn’t anticipate young people would use electronic vaping devices to consume THC, but the perception among teens that both vaping and marijuana offer minimal risk led to the incredibly harmful combination now causing lung-related illnesses and death for some young people.

The pressure to perform in all facets of their lives can be tremendous for teens – and they perceive that substance use is a mature way to handle it. We talk to teens all the time, and they have the impression that everyone is using substances. But the data shows that most teens aren’t. We need to share accurate knowledge with teens and give them to skills to confidently navigate the choices they face.

Monitoring the Future proves that prevention works MTF offers valuable information on whether our efforts are working and where we need to focus our energy. When we curtail our prevention efforts, substance use has historically increased. Each year, a new set of 12-year-olds become teenagers, so we must begin the education cycle again.

The long-term decline in teen nicotine use prior to the current vaping epidemic is an example of how consistent messaging focused on prevention can make an impact. Our success led us to take our eye off the ball, and students took the vaping industry’s “safe alternative to smoking cigarettes” positioning as in indication that vaping itself was safe. As a result, vaping and nicotine use has skyrocketed.

We need to double-down our efforts in addressing teen substance use. No matter what the data says about usage of specific substances, the overall focus needs to be on behavioral health and wellness. Prevention works, and we need to remain vigilant.

About Caron – Atlanta Outpatient Treatment Center

Atlanta is a cultural and business hub to some of the world’s biggest organizations. Coca-Cola, CNN and The Home Depot are just some of the multinational companies based here. Although Atlanta is booming, this city struggles with a drug epidemic, one that impacts hundreds of thousands of people every day. Its citizens rely on much-needed drug and alcohol rehab centers to provide the local population with recovery and support services.

Contact Caron – Atlanta Outpatient Treatment Center

1200 Ashwood Parkway Suite 125 Atlanta GA 30338 United States

678-543-5718

Website: https://www.caron.org/locations/caron-atlanta

The post Monitoring the Future and Teen Substance Use: Why We Need to Double Down on Education and Prevention appeared first on Midwest.

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[allthetimenews]

Monitoring the Future and Teen Substance Use: Why We Need to Double Down on Education and Prevention

Originally posted on Caron

If you or someone you know is suffering from or at risk of an alcohol addiction, take the next step and reach out to a Caron specialist at 877-920-4849 or contact us online. 

In this year’s Monitoring the Future report, we saw an increase in teen vaping, with both nicotine and THC. However, we must remember that these statistics are not just numbers; each represents a child. One child using any kind of substance is one too many.

The survey provides evidence of the importance of education and prevention. Starting early and often, children need consistent messaging about alcohol and other substances. Repeated education and prevention strategies from schools, healthcare professionals, parents, spiritual leaders, coaches and other appropriate community partners is essential. We empower teens to make healthy choices by teaching them lifelong skills to handle a range of emotions and situations in a constructive way.

We know that the earlier a child begins using substances, the more likely he or she will develop a substance use disorder later in life. Specifically, a teen who begins using substances before the age of 15 has a four-time greater lifetime risk for developing a substance use disorder. For teens who are already using, early intervention is essential. By intervening on substance use and behavioral health issues right away, we prevent the likelihood of them experiencing significant consequences in their relationships, academics and future careers.

A SAMHSA initiative known as SBIRT – an acronym for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment – has been instrumental in guiding teens toward healthier approaches to life. Studies have shown a 40% reduction in the harmful use of alcohol and a 55% reduction in negative social consequences after undergoing brief intervention. That’s why Caron supports universal SBIRT screening for all 9th graders and works with school districts to implement SBIRT programs. In fact, I believe we should consider starting SBIRT as early as 6th grade.

We can learn from our past The media tends to focus on the MTF statistics that change the most. Given the focus on teen vaping, it’s unlikely we will hear much about alcohol consumption among teenagers. As a culture, we continue to minimize alcohol abuse with teens because there’s a misperception that it’s a rite of passage. Yet there are significantly more teens drinking than vaping, and more young adults dying of alcohol-related diseases.

We must ensure our discussion remains focused on substance use overall. We need to drill past the numbers to think hard about why teens use substances, drink alcohol or use nicotine. We tend to focus on the “substance of the day,” but it is essential that we work on the prevention of all substances and the promotion of healthy living.

Likewise, it’s just as important to pay attention to the shifts in students’ attitudes and perceptions – the underlying driver of substance use. We know that as perception of harm goes down, usage increases, opening the door for consequences we can’t even envision. We didn’t anticipate young people would use electronic vaping devices to consume THC, but the perception among teens that both vaping and marijuana offer minimal risk led to the incredibly harmful combination now causing lung-related illnesses and death for some young people.

The pressure to perform in all facets of their lives can be tremendous for teens – and they perceive that substance use is a mature way to handle it. We talk to teens all the time, and they have the impression that everyone is using substances. But the data shows that most teens aren’t. We need to share accurate knowledge with teens and give them to skills to confidently navigate the choices they face.

Monitoring the Future proves that prevention works MTF offers valuable information on whether our efforts are working and where we need to focus our energy. When we curtail our prevention efforts, substance use has historically increased. Each year, a new set of 12-year-olds become teenagers, so we must begin the education cycle again.

The long-term decline in teen nicotine use prior to the current vaping epidemic is an example of how consistent messaging focused on prevention can make an impact. Our success led us to take our eye off the ball, and students took the vaping industry’s “safe alternative to smoking cigarettes” positioning as in indication that vaping itself was safe. As a result, vaping and nicotine use has skyrocketed.

We need to double-down our efforts in addressing teen substance use. No matter what the data says about usage of specific substances, the overall focus needs to be on behavioral health and wellness. Prevention works, and we need to remain vigilant.

About Caron Recovery Center in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a cultural and economic anchor in the Northeastern Corridor; its impacts spread through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. But behind the gloss of the modern skyscrapers that dominate the city’s skyline lies a growing problem – a problem that many Philadelphians don’t want to talk about.

Contact Caron Recovery Center in Philadelphia

Suite 325 - 401 Plymouth Road Plymouth Meeting PA 19462 United States

800-854-6023

Website: https://www.caron.org/locations/caron-philadelphia

The post Monitoring the Future and Teen Substance Use: Why We Need to Double Down on Education and Prevention appeared first on AllTheTimeNews.

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[newsperception]

Monitoring the Future and Teen Substance Use: Why We Need to Double Down on Education and Prevention

Originally posted on Caron

If you or someone you know is suffering from or at risk of an alcohol addiction, take the next step and reach out to a Caron specialist at 877-920-4849 or contact us online. 

In this year’s Monitoring the Future report, we saw an increase in teen vaping, with both nicotine and THC. However, we must remember that these statistics are not just numbers; each represents a child. One child using any kind of substance is one too many.

The survey provides evidence of the importance of education and prevention. Starting early and often, children need consistent messaging about alcohol and other substances. Repeated education and prevention strategies from schools, healthcare professionals, parents, spiritual leaders, coaches and other appropriate community partners is essential. We empower teens to make healthy choices by teaching them lifelong skills to handle a range of emotions and situations in a constructive way.

We know that the earlier a child begins using substances, the more likely he or she will develop a substance use disorder later in life. Specifically, a teen who begins using substances before the age of 15 has a four-time greater lifetime risk for developing a substance use disorder. For teens who are already using, early intervention is essential. By intervening on substance use and behavioral health issues right away, we prevent the likelihood of them experiencing significant consequences in their relationships, academics and future careers.

A SAMHSA initiative known as SBIRT – an acronym for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment – has been instrumental in guiding teens toward healthier approaches to life. Studies have shown a 40% reduction in the harmful use of alcohol and a 55% reduction in negative social consequences after undergoing brief intervention. That’s why Caron supports universal SBIRT screening for all 9th graders and works with school districts to implement SBIRT programs. In fact, I believe we should consider starting SBIRT as early as 6th grade.

We can learn from our past The media tends to focus on the MTF statistics that change the most. Given the focus on teen vaping, it’s unlikely we will hear much about alcohol consumption among teenagers. As a culture, we continue to minimize alcohol abuse with teens because there’s a misperception that it’s a rite of passage. Yet there are significantly more teens drinking than vaping, and more young adults dying of alcohol-related diseases.

We must ensure our discussion remains focused on substance use overall. We need to drill past the numbers to think hard about why teens use substances, drink alcohol or use nicotine. We tend to focus on the “substance of the day,” but it is essential that we work on the prevention of all substances and the promotion of healthy living.

Likewise, it’s just as important to pay attention to the shifts in students’ attitudes and perceptions – the underlying driver of substance use. We know that as perception of harm goes down, usage increases, opening the door for consequences we can’t even envision. We didn’t anticipate young people would use electronic vaping devices to consume THC, but the perception among teens that both vaping and marijuana offer minimal risk led to the incredibly harmful combination now causing lung-related illnesses and death for some young people.

The pressure to perform in all facets of their lives can be tremendous for teens – and they perceive that substance use is a mature way to handle it. We talk to teens all the time, and they have the impression that everyone is using substances. But the data shows that most teens aren’t. We need to share accurate knowledge with teens and give them to skills to confidently navigate the choices they face.

Monitoring the Future proves that prevention works MTF offers valuable information on whether our efforts are working and where we need to focus our energy. When we curtail our prevention efforts, substance use has historically increased. Each year, a new set of 12-year-olds become teenagers, so we must begin the education cycle again.

The long-term decline in teen nicotine use prior to the current vaping epidemic is an example of how consistent messaging focused on prevention can make an impact. Our success led us to take our eye off the ball, and students took the vaping industry’s “safe alternative to smoking cigarettes” positioning as in indication that vaping itself was safe. As a result, vaping and nicotine use has skyrocketed.

We need to double-down our efforts in addressing teen substance use. No matter what the data says about usage of specific substances, the overall focus needs to be on behavioral health and wellness. Prevention works, and we need to remain vigilant.

About Marietta Tree Removal Pros

We provide specialist, skilled benefits for your trees. Our tree trimmers together with arborists provide superior care that goes beyond all of our competitors. Our company offers all varieties of tree services including tree trimming, tree extraction, tree stump grinding, cabling & bracing, together with 24-hour emergency service.

Contact Marietta Tree Removal Pros

610 Parkside Village Way NW Marietta GA 30060 United States

(678) 940-8517

Website: https://treeremovalnearme.pro/

The post Monitoring the Future and Teen Substance Use: Why We Need to Double Down on Education and Prevention appeared first on NewsPerception.

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[dailyposttribune]

Monitoring the Future and Teen Substance Use: Why We Need to Double Down on Education and Prevention

Originally posted on Caron

If you or someone you know is suffering from or at risk of an alcohol addiction, take the next step and reach out to a Caron specialist at 877-920-4849 or contact us online. 

In this year’s Monitoring the Future report, we saw an increase in teen vaping, with both nicotine and THC. However, we must remember that these statistics are not just numbers; each represents a child. One child using any kind of substance is one too many.

The survey provides evidence of the importance of education and prevention. Starting early and often, children need consistent messaging about alcohol and other substances. Repeated education and prevention strategies from schools, healthcare professionals, parents, spiritual leaders, coaches and other appropriate community partners is essential. We empower teens to make healthy choices by teaching them lifelong skills to handle a range of emotions and situations in a constructive way.

We know that the earlier a child begins using substances, the more likely he or she will develop a substance use disorder later in life. Specifically, a teen who begins using substances before the age of 15 has a four-time greater lifetime risk for developing a substance use disorder. For teens who are already using, early intervention is essential. By intervening on substance use and behavioral health issues right away, we prevent the likelihood of them experiencing significant consequences in their relationships, academics and future careers.

A SAMHSA initiative known as SBIRT – an acronym for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment – has been instrumental in guiding teens toward healthier approaches to life. Studies have shown a 40% reduction in the harmful use of alcohol and a 55% reduction in negative social consequences after undergoing brief intervention. That’s why Caron supports universal SBIRT screening for all 9th graders and works with school districts to implement SBIRT programs. In fact, I believe we should consider starting SBIRT as early as 6th grade.

We can learn from our past The media tends to focus on the MTF statistics that change the most. Given the focus on teen vaping, it’s unlikely we will hear much about alcohol consumption among teenagers. As a culture, we continue to minimize alcohol abuse with teens because there’s a misperception that it’s a rite of passage. Yet there are significantly more teens drinking than vaping, and more young adults dying of alcohol-related diseases.

We must ensure our discussion remains focused on substance use overall. We need to drill past the numbers to think hard about why teens use substances, drink alcohol or use nicotine. We tend to focus on the “substance of the day,” but it is essential that we work on the prevention of all substances and the promotion of healthy living.

Likewise, it’s just as important to pay attention to the shifts in students’ attitudes and perceptions – the underlying driver of substance use. We know that as perception of harm goes down, usage increases, opening the door for consequences we can’t even envision. We didn’t anticipate young people would use electronic vaping devices to consume THC, but the perception among teens that both vaping and marijuana offer minimal risk led to the incredibly harmful combination now causing lung-related illnesses and death for some young people.

The pressure to perform in all facets of their lives can be tremendous for teens – and they perceive that substance use is a mature way to handle it. We talk to teens all the time, and they have the impression that everyone is using substances. But the data shows that most teens aren’t. We need to share accurate knowledge with teens and give them to skills to confidently navigate the choices they face.

Monitoring the Future proves that prevention works MTF offers valuable information on whether our efforts are working and where we need to focus our energy. When we curtail our prevention efforts, substance use has historically increased. Each year, a new set of 12-year-olds become teenagers, so we must begin the education cycle again.

The long-term decline in teen nicotine use prior to the current vaping epidemic is an example of how consistent messaging focused on prevention can make an impact. Our success led us to take our eye off the ball, and students took the vaping industry’s “safe alternative to smoking cigarettes” positioning as in indication that vaping itself was safe. As a result, vaping and nicotine use has skyrocketed.

We need to double-down our efforts in addressing teen substance use. No matter what the data says about usage of specific substances, the overall focus needs to be on behavioral health and wellness. Prevention works, and we need to remain vigilant.

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[newstvstation]

Monitoring the Future and Teen Substance Use: Why We Need to Double Down on Education and Prevention

Originally posted on Caron

If you or someone you know is suffering from or at risk of an alcohol addiction, take the next step and reach out to a Caron specialist at 877-920-4849 or contact us online. 

In this year’s Monitoring the Future report, we saw an increase in teen vaping, with both nicotine and THC. However, we must remember that these statistics are not just numbers; each represents a child. One child using any kind of substance is one too many.

The survey provides evidence of the importance of education and prevention. Starting early and often, children need consistent messaging about alcohol and other substances. Repeated education and prevention strategies from schools, healthcare professionals, parents, spiritual leaders, coaches and other appropriate community partners is essential. We empower teens to make healthy choices by teaching them lifelong skills to handle a range of emotions and situations in a constructive way.

We know that the earlier a child begins using substances, the more likely he or she will develop a substance use disorder later in life. Specifically, a teen who begins using substances before the age of 15 has a four-time greater lifetime risk for developing a substance use disorder. For teens who are already using, early intervention is essential. By intervening on substance use and behavioral health issues right away, we prevent the likelihood of them experiencing significant consequences in their relationships, academics and future careers.

A SAMHSA initiative known as SBIRT – an acronym for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment – has been instrumental in guiding teens toward healthier approaches to life. Studies have shown a 40% reduction in the harmful use of alcohol and a 55% reduction in negative social consequences after undergoing brief intervention. That’s why Caron supports universal SBIRT screening for all 9th graders and works with school districts to implement SBIRT programs. In fact, I believe we should consider starting SBIRT as early as 6th grade.

We can learn from our past The media tends to focus on the MTF statistics that change the most. Given the focus on teen vaping, it’s unlikely we will hear much about alcohol consumption among teenagers. As a culture, we continue to minimize alcohol abuse with teens because there’s a misperception that it’s a rite of passage. Yet there are significantly more teens drinking than vaping, and more young adults dying of alcohol-related diseases.

We must ensure our discussion remains focused on substance use overall. We need to drill past the numbers to think hard about why teens use substances, drink alcohol or use nicotine. We tend to focus on the “substance of the day,” but it is essential that we work on the prevention of all substances and the promotion of healthy living.

Likewise, it’s just as important to pay attention to the shifts in students’ attitudes and perceptions – the underlying driver of substance use. We know that as perception of harm goes down, usage increases, opening the door for consequences we can’t even envision. We didn’t anticipate young people would use electronic vaping devices to consume THC, but the perception among teens that both vaping and marijuana offer minimal risk led to the incredibly harmful combination now causing lung-related illnesses and death for some young people.

The pressure to perform in all facets of their lives can be tremendous for teens – and they perceive that substance use is a mature way to handle it. We talk to teens all the time, and they have the impression that everyone is using substances. But the data shows that most teens aren’t. We need to share accurate knowledge with teens and give them to skills to confidently navigate the choices they face.

Monitoring the Future proves that prevention works MTF offers valuable information on whether our efforts are working and where we need to focus our energy. When we curtail our prevention efforts, substance use has historically increased. Each year, a new set of 12-year-olds become teenagers, so we must begin the education cycle again.

The long-term decline in teen nicotine use prior to the current vaping epidemic is an example of how consistent messaging focused on prevention can make an impact. Our success led us to take our eye off the ball, and students took the vaping industry’s “safe alternative to smoking cigarettes” positioning as in indication that vaping itself was safe. As a result, vaping and nicotine use has skyrocketed.

We need to double-down our efforts in addressing teen substance use. No matter what the data says about usage of specific substances, the overall focus needs to be on behavioral health and wellness. Prevention works, and we need to remain vigilant.

About Towing Company Sunrise

At Towing Company Sunrise, we offer years of experience in our industry. Everyone on our staff is a veteran in the field of towing. Our experts respond to each call with the same urgency as if they were towing for family. We will continue to redefine what it means to be towing experts and tow truck drivers, continuously setting new standards for ultimate satisfaction to each valued customer we serve.

Contact Towing Company Sunrise

8020 NW 27th St Sunrise, Broward County Florida 33322 United States

(954) 271-2348

Website: http://towingcompanysunrise.com/

The post Monitoring the Future and Teen Substance Use: Why We Need to Double Down on Education and Prevention appeared first on News TV Station.

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[lifebydesign66]

Clinical Psychologist in Berkeley

CONNECTION * AFFIRMATION * EMPOWERMENT

Therapy can help you discover the tools within you to write your own story and reach the healing you deserve.

Hi, I’m Dr. Nia (she/her/hers) and I want to congratulate you on taking the first steps towards reaching out for support. Although I am a licensed psychologist, I believe you already have within you the tools that can support your healing journey. I honor the experiences and resiliency that have brought you this far. My goal as a therapist is to create a space where you feel safe and empowered to explore what your own healing may look like. We may practice using new words to describe how you are feeling inside, creating a shared language for your experience and paying close attention. Ultimately, you are in control and I am a guide.

I feel particularly called to work with people of color, women and girls, LGBTQ+ folks, students and young professionals, and those whose identities contribute to difficulties with feeling accepted or valued.

CULTIVATING COMMUNITY AND HEALING

I consider the impact of family, cultural, or societal messages that can interfere with your journey towards wellness and self-love. As a Black woman, I understand the pressure we can feel as we take care of others, sometimes at the cost of our own needs. I am passionate about working with other Black and Brown women who may experience these difficulties as they navigate the everyday demands of work, school, family obligations, and romantic relationships. I support clients to unlearn old strategies that may be self-defeating and learn new ways of coping and being in relationships with themselves and others.

CREATING SAFETY, TRUST, AND SOMATIC HEALING

Drawing on my extensive training in treating trauma, I value creating a space where clients feel emotionally safe. I utilize an authentic and empathic therapeutic style to create a space where clients feel seen, heard, and valued. I model transparency so clients can understand the reasoning behind therapeutic interventions and feel empowered to make informed choices about treatment. When working with trauma, I integrate Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Somatic interventions. I integrate somatic work because our experiences stay with us, not just mentally and emotionally, but physically. Our bodies hold a lot of wisdom about where healing is needed. I utilize body-based interventions to encourage you to pay attention to not only your thoughts and feelings but bodily sensations.This can help you develop trust in yourself to understand what you might be needing in the present moment.

BLENDING CLINICAL EXPERTISE AND CLIENT-CENTERED VALUES

I draw heavily from Psychodynamic, Relational, and Somatic approaches within a multicultural and trauma-informed framework. I collaborate with clients to uncover hidden conflicts while also acknowledging the external pressures that may keep them feeling ‘stuck.’ I can support you in processing childhood trauma, setting better boundaries, increasing coping skills, developing self-compassion, combatting perfectionism, managing stress, and improving work-life balance. Because I know we are often racing to check things off our to-do list, I will focus on slowing down and paying attention to the physical sensations that arise during sessions to increase awareness of what you might be needing in the present moment.

HELPING CHILDREN THRIVE AT SCHOOL AND AT PLAY

Children are naturally curious and still learning the necessary skills for being successful in an adult world.They can feel worried, sad, and angry, but often do not have the language to express these big emotions. Parents and caregivers are an essential part of child therapy and I will work collaboratively with you to best support your child. I use a play therapy relational approach with both verbal and nonverbal interventions (art, movement, therapeutic games, sandtray). This approach allows children to develop a sense of trust and express their emotions in a safe, contained way. Play therapy within the context of a trusting therapeutic relationship can help identify the unmet need underlying a child’s problematic behavior and support parents and caregivers in responding in healthier ways.

NAVIGATING LIFE’S UPS AND DOWNS WITH TEENS

If you are a parent or caregiver who is at your wit’s end dealing with your teen, please know you are not alone in this struggle. Although parent-teen conflict is common in this age group, there is hope for getting through to your teen and improving your ability to connect with them. I have extensive experience treating teens who are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma/abuse, or have trouble fitting in with their peers. They may also struggle with low self-esteem and figuring out who they are with respect to their identity. I am particularly interested in working with teens who have suicidal thinking or engage in self-harm and other risky behaviors. I use a combination of talk therapy, play therapy, family systems, and somatic approaches to help teens with managing their symptoms, increasing their ability to cope with stressors, and improve their relationships. In my work with teens, I honor their developing independence while supporting their connections to the people who truly care about them.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, AND ADULTS CREATE BALANCE

It can often feel like there aren’t enough hours in a day. Whether you are in school, working, or both, you are likely dealing with multiple demands while trying to stay on top of everything you need to accomplish. The thought of taking time for yourself makes you feel selfish so you struggle to say “no” to outside obligations. Utilizing a blend of somatic, holistic, and relational approaches, I help clients to develop healthy boundaries while nurturing the relationships that are most important.

HELPING COUPLES AND FAMILIES RECONNECT AND FIND JOY

It’s common for there to be conflict in couples and among family members. Sometimes, these difficulties are impacted by patterns of relating to each other that were developed earlier in life. These patterns can often span generations and be difficult to change. What’s important is that even after a rupture, you can repair the relationship. Using psychodynamic, family systems, and relational approaches, I can support you in repairing those ruptures and improving the quality of your relationships.

I utilize a holistic approach in couples and family work that integrates techniques such as Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Somatic Therapy, and Family Systems interventions. These approaches help you recognize harmful or dysfunctional patterns and rework them while paying attention to the feelings, thoughts, memories, and bodily sensations that arise during interactions with each other. Using this new knowledge, couples and family members can improve their communication, have a renewed sense of attachment, and rediscover joy in each other.

SPECIALTIES AND INTERESTS

Healing for Black and Brown girls and women

Treating trauma and attachment difficulties

Adjustment challenges and dealing with life transitions

Supporting teens with the transition to adulthood

Body image and self-esteem concerns

Coping with depression and anxiety

Healing from grief and loss

Foster care youth and adoption

Acculturation stress

Supporting children and teens of divorce

Helping separated and divorced families with co-parenting

Improving family connection and communication

Reducing self-harm and risky behaviors in teens

Identity exploration

Treating psychosis and mood disorders

Working with parents of children with ADHD

Healing from childhood abuse and inter-generational trauma

Healing from racial trauma and microaggressions

Increasing self-worth and setting boundaries

Improving self-understanding and self-compassion

Managing school and work stress

Women of color issues in school or the workplace

Supporting families with communication challenges

Couples and families navigating trust issues or attachment ruptures

Interracial couples and cross-cultural relationships

CREDENTIALS

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PSY31472

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University.

M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Adelphi University

B.A. in Psychology, minor in Women’s Studies, St. John’s University

TRAINING

Healing Trauma in Children with Play (2019)

Working with Latinx Families (2019)

Dominant and Subjugated Narratives: The Culturally Sensitive Assessment (2019)

Early Childhood Mental Health: Integrating and Assessing Complex Trauma with young children and their families (2018)

Project WHAT- Working with children of incarcerated parents (2018)

CARMA Foundations for Working With Complex Trauma (2018)

Gender & Culturally Responsive Mental Health Practice with African American Male Youth (2017)

Engaging foster youth in Treatment (2017)

Expressive Arts and Drama Therapy (2017)

Trauma-informed Systems Training (2017)

Radical Healing (2017)

Integrative Treatment of Complex Trauma-Adolescents (2017)

LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. NIA

Hear about her views on healing, therapy and more!

[businesstribune]

Monitoring the Future and Teen Substance Use: Why We Need to Double Down on Education and Prevention

Originally posted on Caron

If you or someone you know is suffering from or at risk of an alcohol addiction, take the next step and reach out to a Caron specialist at 877-920-4849 or contact us online. 

In this year’s Monitoring the Future report, we saw an increase in teen vaping, with both nicotine and THC. However, we must remember that these statistics are not just numbers; each represents a child. One child using any kind of substance is one too many.

The survey provides evidence of the importance of education and prevention. Starting early and often, children need consistent messaging about alcohol and other substances. Repeated education and prevention strategies from schools, healthcare professionals, parents, spiritual leaders, coaches and other appropriate community partners is essential. We empower teens to make healthy choices by teaching them lifelong skills to handle a range of emotions and situations in a constructive way.

We know that the earlier a child begins using substances, the more likely he or she will develop a substance use disorder later in life. Specifically, a teen who begins using substances before the age of 15 has a four-time greater lifetime risk for developing a substance use disorder. For teens who are already using, early intervention is essential. By intervening on substance use and behavioral health issues right away, we prevent the likelihood of them experiencing significant consequences in their relationships, academics and future careers.

A SAMHSA initiative known as SBIRT – an acronym for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment – has been instrumental in guiding teens toward healthier approaches to life. Studies have shown a 40% reduction in the harmful use of alcohol and a 55% reduction in negative social consequences after undergoing brief intervention. That’s why Caron supports universal SBIRT screening for all 9th graders and works with school districts to implement SBIRT programs. In fact, I believe we should consider starting SBIRT as early as 6th grade.

We can learn from our past The media tends to focus on the MTF statistics that change the most. Given the focus on teen vaping, it’s unlikely we will hear much about alcohol consumption among teenagers. As a culture, we continue to minimize alcohol abuse with teens because there’s a misperception that it’s a rite of passage. Yet there are significantly more teens drinking than vaping, and more young adults dying of alcohol-related diseases.

We must ensure our discussion remains focused on substance use overall. We need to drill past the numbers to think hard about why teens use substances, drink alcohol or use nicotine. We tend to focus on the “substance of the day,” but it is essential that we work on the prevention of all substances and the promotion of healthy living.

Likewise, it’s just as important to pay attention to the shifts in students’ attitudes and perceptions – the underlying driver of substance use. We know that as perception of harm goes down, usage increases, opening the door for consequences we can’t even envision. We didn’t anticipate young people would use electronic vaping devices to consume THC, but the perception among teens that both vaping and marijuana offer minimal risk led to the incredibly harmful combination now causing lung-related illnesses and death for some young people.

The pressure to perform in all facets of their lives can be tremendous for teens – and they perceive that substance use is a mature way to handle it. We talk to teens all the time, and they have the impression that everyone is using substances. But the data shows that most teens aren’t. We need to share accurate knowledge with teens and give them to skills to confidently navigate the choices they face.

Monitoring the Future proves that prevention works MTF offers valuable information on whether our efforts are working and where we need to focus our energy. When we curtail our prevention efforts, substance use has historically increased. Each year, a new set of 12-year-olds become teenagers, so we must begin the education cycle again.

The long-term decline in teen nicotine use prior to the current vaping epidemic is an example of how consistent messaging focused on prevention can make an impact. Our success led us to take our eye off the ball, and students took the vaping industry’s “safe alternative to smoking cigarettes” positioning as in indication that vaping itself was safe. As a result, vaping and nicotine use has skyrocketed.

We need to double-down our efforts in addressing teen substance use. No matter what the data says about usage of specific substances, the overall focus needs to be on behavioral health and wellness. Prevention works, and we need to remain vigilant.

About Towing Company Sunrise

At Towing Company Sunrise, we offer years of experience in our industry. Everyone on our staff is a veteran in the field of towing. Our experts respond to each call with the same urgency as if they were towing for family. We will continue to redefine what it means to be towing experts and tow truck drivers, continuously setting new standards for ultimate satisfaction to each valued customer we serve.

Contact Towing Company Sunrise

8020 NW 27th St Sunrise, Broward County Florida 33322 United States

(954) 271-2348

Website: http://towingcompanysunrise.com/

The post Monitoring the Future and Teen Substance Use: Why We Need to Double Down on Education and Prevention appeared first on Business Tribune.

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