Lila-A Retreat for Mommy & Me

What are Lila Retreats?

There will be time for mom to rejuvenate and relax with other mothers, time for mom to enjoy some meditative alone time, as well as time for moms and children to play, eat, and enjoy the outdoors together. We will have women-only yoga classes, multi-age kids yoga classes, and integrated playful yoga and music time. We will group families into “tribes” at the beginning of the workshop to support each other in having some free time to meditate, hike, enjoy the springs, or a massage. The retreat is organized in a cooperative structure that involves all participants, but allows for unique opportunities for solace, as well.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Our first retreat last week at Breitenbush was amazing. What a beautiful group of parents and kids.   We stood together as independent families, yet being together with a mutual intent of being the most healthy and happy moms and kiddos just felt so supportive and natural. It seemed to me to be a retreat from what is "normal" to what is most "natural" in parenting.

Karen's talk on the emotional intelligence aspect of parenting that creates deep connection with our children was revolutionary from "normal" parenting, yet when taking a moment to really consider the principles, just felt so natural in our hearts.   Karen also taught us the importance of really having a few trusted people in our life who can really listen...without advice or fixing or consoling, but just listening wholeheartedly. She also taught us the importance of doing this for our children.

Tish's session on holistic family nutrition related specifically to what children need. This clarified many questions and helped us to remember the importance of healthy fats and less refined, processed foods and sugars, which can be very challenging in the midst of "normal" everyday choices.

Molly's music brought joy and connection...creating many, many sweetest of moments. Music is so natural to the song of our hearts.

I taught the Yoga of Parenting.   In my experience, to be a better mother and healthier and happier person, I practice mindfulness/breath/presence/Yoga. Yoga is union or connection. Yoga is not limited to poses by any means and it does not have to be practiced by stepping on a mat. Taking a walk in nature. Taking time to play with your child. Taking time to just sit and relax.   These are important rejuvenating practices that unite us with what is true and whole within us... the wisdom and pulse of our hearts, or our "heart meter".   I often say, "Our heart pumps blood to itself first before it pumps blood to the rest of the body....when we listed to the wisdom of our hearts, we live life with more ease, harmony and balance. We are able to have more compassion, understanding and to listen wholeheartedly more."

We hope you can join us next year as we continue our journey into the divine play of parenting.

Love, Steph

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Sample Schedule of A Lila Retreat

Weds
7-7:30 Music and yoga play together
7:30-8:45 Yoga for Kids & Relaxing Yoga for Moms

Thurs
Early Morning Mother Solace Time – Each Tribe Mom Cooperatively Coordinate 30-45 min for meditation, nature walk or morning springs plunge
9:45-11 Yoga for Kids & Energizing Yoga for Moms
Lunch & Free Time – Each Tribe Mom cooperatively coordinate 90 min of Solace Time
3:30-5:30 Music for Children & Outdoor Exploration for Kids & Science of Parenting - Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids for Moms
7-7:30 Music and yoga play together
7:30-8:30 Music for Children & Healthy makeovers for common family favorites & making food a family affair

Friday
9-10:15 Yoga for Kids & Energizing Yoga for Moms
10:15-11 Closing Play Circle

About Stephanie, Creator of Lila Retreats & YogaFit Kids!

Stephanie owns Flow Yoga & Health Studio in Hood River, Oregon. Flow is one of the most successful yoga studios in Oregon, now going into our 8th year, with over 40 classes per week. We teach to and for every body - offering classes for pregnancy, postnatal, stroller, kids, teens, adults, seniors, and all abilities.

Stephanie also teaches instructors to teach yoga, travelling through US, Canada, Taiwan, and India, in a Yoga Alliance registered RYT 200 and RYT 500 program she helped to develop. She has organized and facilitated residential intensives for the RYT 500 program. Stephanie has personally trained nearly 4000 instructors. She has also presented yoga at conferences for NW Yoga Fest, American Council on Exercise, IDEA, IHRSA, ACSM, DCAC and other smaller conferences and festivals.

Stephanie saw a need for more mindful movement in school when her now 19-year old daughter was in kindergarten (called YogaFit Kids!). Supported by the school principal and staff, she developed a playful yoga and mindful movement program within the framework of the Seattle Public Schools system. For six years, she volunteered her time teaching yoga to children in a public elementary school. I created afternoon extra-curricular yoga programs, as well.

From this experience and training, Stephanie developed The YogaFit Kids teacher training program that has now trained over 10,000 yoga instructors and preschool, elementary, and high school educators throughout the USA and the world. YogaFit Kids teaches kids the benefits of fitness, health, stress-reduction, emotional intelligence, and overall mindfulness. We created a video/DVD and a card game that is now going into its 10th year of sales/production.

About Karen Murphy, certified Hand in Hand Parenting Instructor

Karen has worked with children of all ages and their families for the past ten years as an educator and child care provider. She is one of two certified Hand In Hand Parenting instructors residing in Oregon, and offers classes and workshops to parents seeking to understand and foster their children’s emotional intelligence. Hand In Hand Parenting is a non-profit organization that specializes in helping parents nurture the parent-child connection.

Karen presents workshops at Lila Retreats on the Science of Parenting and Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids. Helping parents to understand recent research on how the brain processes emotion while sharing tools and techniques parents can use to foster deep understanding and connection with their children during their emotional ups and downs. Karen creates interactive time for moms to support each other, practice tools to nurture their own emotional intelligence, and clear emotional clutter for more effective parenting.

About Tish Berman CCN, NTP

About Molly Schwarz, Music for Children Certified Instructor

Mary Ann Hall's Music for Children is a highly original and eclectic Mommy and Me music program designed to bring a musical experience to children through their world of imaginary fantasy play. By connecting music to literature, art, poetry, dance and nature through the eyes of children we connect the art of music to the heart of the child.

Molly offers mommy and me classes that carry a specific theme for the day. Along with live guitar and piano, there will be lots of singing, movement, instruments and sharing of sweet, silly and loving moments with your children. We will "read" music with our ears, eyes, voices and bodies and have a ton of fun in the process!

Ten years ago, while living in New York City, Molly began to study under master teacher Mary Ann Hall. Sure she had found her calling, she went on to teach her classes in NYC as well as in Connecticut, San Diego, and most recently opening her own branch in Hood River. In addition to teaching, Molly has an active career in theater, comedy, sketch and improv. In teaching this program, she feels so fortunate to be able to combine her love of music with her complete love and respect for children.