Lila - The Yoga of Parenting Workshop at Flow

Essentially, we are all good, and we are all good enough. Parenting is challenging and rewarding...covers the spectrum of pure heaven and, even, sometimes, total hell. We are all doing our best...but, what if, through practices like mindfulness, awareness, and presence,... we were to discover that time for parents equals real time for kids and happier and healthier families overall?

Through principles of Yoga and Emotional Intelligence research we will learn in this workshop that "practice" allows for imperfection. We practice, we do our best in any given moment, and we continue to practice. In the practicing, we can accept that we are whole even in our states of imperfection...we are good enough, yet we are always open to discover more about ourselves and our children and their unique needs and natural development. Finally, support is essential to good parenting, and we will learn how to get the support we need, as parents.

Karen Murphy, a Parenting by Connection Instructor, will lead inquiry and discussion into how a healthy parent-child connection enables a child to fully access his intelligences, abilities, confidence, and innate joy. When children feel connected, they learn readily, love easily, and become caring leaders among their peers.

Stephanie Adams, mother of three kids ages 3-20, and Yoga teacher and trainer for 17 years, will lead us into inquiry into our deeper selves to enable us to become more connected to what is natural for us and who we really truly, authentically are. Connecting to ourselves is essential to connecting to our children.

Sat & Sun, Feb 4-5, 2012 1-4:30 pm
$65 (or $95 for a couple)

Lila Morsels 2011

Breitenbush’s mission is “to provide a safe and potent environment where people can renew and evolve in ways they never imagined.” At Lila I definitely experienced that renewal and evolution surrounded by the forest, river and springs but most especially within the warm Lila circle of Moms, Dads, and Kids. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the kiddo tribe, connecting with and getting to know each one and then chatting with parents, seeing the child more fully through their eyes. The love, and intention given to the children was palpable and I was thrilled to be able to participate and share resources, ideas and tools to the further fostering of those bonds. I loved combining with Stephanie’s soul-stirring yoga, Molly’s lively & playful music , and Tish’s whole-body-mind nutrition support to create a fabulous, nurturing, heart-full retreat. I’m already looking forward to next year’s gathering!

Continue to trust your own deep knowing & allow space for your child to do the same!

Blessings,
Karen

Lila-A Retreat for Mommy & Me

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

Now Taking Registrations for 2012!

Join us at Breitenbush for a playful and rejuvenating natural retreat for moms and kids.  We are now taking registrations for our Summer 3 day, 2 night retreat - each mom and child(ren) can have their own cabin, sleeping tent w/ pads, or bring your own tent.  Healthy meals included. We'll assign you lodging near a friend or pair you with another mom so "tribes" are created for mommy support for free time.  Email flowyoga@gorge.net for registration or questions.