YogaFamily.com is not just about yoga, but it is an invitation to all spiritual beings that would like to connect to community, spirit, and the sacred self.  Whether you practice yoga on the mat or off, we call all seekers and drifters to utilize this free space to expand their practice and community. 

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Yogafamily.com's and celebrated Bikram Yoga Certified teacher, Michael Abrams, is offering a retreat to Costa Rica, where there is a peaceful yoga studio overlooking the beautiful gardens of Docelunas Hotel in Jaco, Costa Rica. You can practice yoga, go zip lining, surfing, white water rafting, ATVing , horseback riding, hiking, go on waterfall and eco tours, and enjoy the fun beach/surf town.  It is only a 2 and a half hour flight from Ft. Lauderdale!! To join Michael, August 16-23, 2008 on this retreat vacation; click here for more info and images of resort >>>

 

	Reading, storytelling, music, creative arts and earthcare blend seamlessly with yoga movement to educate the "whole" child. By introducing children to yoga, it is a magical gift that they will carry through many facets of their life.  It provides children with an exciting new way to explore and appreciate their academic and creative potential. Children learn invaluable skills that set the groundwork for meeting challenges and growing strong physically, mentally and emotionally, cultivating self-esteem for a lifetime of successful achievement. Children learn through yoga to expand their creativity, focus their mind more steadily and develop a greater sense of respect for the planet around them. So much in society, teaches our children to "burn off that energy" or " to run them tire," only to teach our children that this is the norm - to constantly go, go go.  What if you could alter that norm and teach your child that if you can focus on this wide and beautiful energy through the expression of playing and visualization; that it helps to cool the mind and harness that energy in more positive then negative.  Children that practice yoga find they learn amazing tools to help them calm their mind, connect deeper with their body, develop a greater sense of balance. Children today are under a tremendous amount of stress from school, their environment, peer competition and expectations from the media. Stress affects the way children learn and interact with their surroundings. It affects their health, well-being and confidence. Yoga creates the ultimate learning adventure while helping youths de-stress and relax. Children need to discover the world on their own. Telling them to think harder, do it better, or be a certain way because it's good for them is not the optimal way. Instead, provide a loving, responsive, creative environment for them to uncover their own truths. As they perform the various animal and nature asanas, engage their minds to deepen their awareness. When they're snakes (Bhujangasana), invite them to really imagine that they're just a long spine with no arms and legs. Could you still run or climb a tree? In Tree Pose (Vrksasana), ask them to imagine being a giant oak, with roots growing out of the bottoms of their feet. Could you stay in the same position for 100 years? If you were to be chopped down, would that be OK? Would it hurt? When they stretch like a dog, balance like a flamingo, breathe like a bunny, or stand strong and tall like a tree, they are making a connection between the macrocosm of their environment and the microcosm of their bodies. The importance of reverence for all life and the principle of interdependence becomes apparent. Children begin to understand that we are all made of the same "stuff." We're just in different forms. This article was reprinted from www.yogakids.com.  For books and DVDs on yoga for kids, please check out their website. Also explore your local directory for studio and teachers that offer children's yoga classes.
	Get rid of toxic cleaners and go back to the basic. Stock your cupboards with these ten products, and you can clean just about anything: 1) White vinegar: An antifungal that also kills germs and bacteria. 2) Baking soda: Eliminates odors and works as a gentle scouring powder. 3) Borax: Borax, the common name for the natural mineral compound sodium borate, eliminates odors, removes dirt, and acts as an antifungal and possible disinfectant. Use with care around children and pets, as it can be toxic if swallowed. 4) Hydrogen peroxide (3% concentration): A great nontoxic bleach and stain remover, as well as a proven disinfectant.  5) Club soda (fresh): A stain remover and polisher.  6) Lemon juice: A pleasant-smelling nontoxic bleach, grease-cutter, and stain remover.  7) Liquid castile soap: An all-purpose cleaner, grease-cutter, and disinfectant. “Castile” means the soap is vegetable-based, not animal-fat-based. 8) Corn meal: Great at picking up carpet spills. 9) Olive oil: Makes a wonderful furniture polish. 10) Pure essential oils: Adding all-natural, organic essential oils to your cleaning concoctions can add wonderful scents to your housekeeping endeavors. Some—such as lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and tea tree oils—also may have antibacterial, antifungal, or insect-repelling properties.