Flourish Yoga

Hmmm I think we could at least 1 more socially distant greeting

Summer Vacation week 1 in the books! Honestly in our house it’s felt like summer vacation since about mid May . When you take holiday do you take your yoga mat with you? I usually do and truthfully I do not use it like I had planned... typical over packer. Since we have to bring everything in by boat and I am working on packing lighter, I decided this time to leave it at home. Today my body was craving movement and the floating dock is really the only open and level s...pace for yoga, but not ideal without a mat, so many splinters! #yogaonthedock #mindenontario #blacklake #meditation #justbreathe #nature #1000hoursoutside #yoga #lululemon

I felt that I was doing enough by raising / educating my littles to be accepting of all races, but now I have realized I need to go further than being an inclusive parent and need to educate my children on being anti-racist.

Someone messaged me to call me out on my silence. My first reaction was defensive. It’s not my story. What’s on the news isn’t even my country. My opinion is ir...relevant. Whatever I say, I know I will say the wrong thing. But being scared of saying the wrong thing isn’t a reason to not say anything. Amongst my many privileges is the privilege of having an audience who are in a similar position to me. Responsible for raising tomorrow’s adults. I take that responsibility very seriously. This IS my story. It’s all of our story. See more

Hi Guys! It’s Ms Kyrstin... remember me?! It’s been quiet over here lately... like hear the crickets quiet. As a family we’ve also noticed how much we have enjoyed the quiet in the world around us, sitting outside in the evening, listening to the birds chirp and sing, little animals, sounds of the trees in the wind, voices of children riding along the path near our house and sometimes even the waves. Listening has allowed us to be in the present moment when our mind has wan...dered. I haven’t forgotten about you all! Unfortunately when I come here my mind wanders off to things that are uncertain... when will I get to resume teaching, when will I see my little yoga friends again, and it makes me a bit sad. I miss teaching in schools, classrooms, preschools etc. I miss seeing all my regular little yogis. I hope you are all doing well, embracing these moments of simple times and slower paced a time to nurture our souls.

I think we all knew it was coming, when I heard today that schools in Ontario would remain closed for the last month of the school year I was not surprised, and I can’t say that if they were going to open my children would have returned. There are all the feels. While some uncertainty is gone, there’s other uncertainties, like we survived one summer break time frame already, how are we going to get through months 3-6...while staying sane. Will my child fall behind? Will my ...preschooler be ready for school come the fall? My kids miss their teachers, their friends, the routine of school days, bringing home library books, recess, gym, riding the bus. There’s definitely sadness and grief. I am sure for some students the 6 month break is pure joy. While it feels like we’ve given up or lost so much, we’ve also been given so much, time as a family, time to learn together, to explore interests, be resourceful, slow down, stay up late, sleep in. While yes some of this just stinks and it’s okay to feel mad, angry, frustrated, sad, there are moments of great and amazing things happening as well.

Teachers!!! Here is a wonderful mindfulness and meditation resource! We love & appreciate all of the hard work you do, each and every day to support students wellbeing and learning! ... Sincerely, The parents & students who miss you dearly!

May The Force Be With You! We are over here having the monday-est of quarantine Monday’s that we can and my mindfulness muscles are being worked extra hard today. I am grateful that my mindset and mindfulness practice has been with me during our quarantine, even though we’ve all had our moments of frustrations and emotions being mindful has made these moments few and easily recoverable.... Follow along over the next 4 weeks for a Family Mindfulness Challenge. Sharing SIMPLE tips and activities to help you and your child grow their mindset, move your bodies and practice mindfulness in your everyday lives. Image by @leogorfinkel . . . . . . #maytheforcebewithyou #maythe4thbewithyou #mindfulness #meditation #starwars #quaratine #mindfulnesschallenge #maychallenge #starwarsyoga #childrensyoga #momlife #parentinginapandemic

Next week is Earth Day, unfortunately all organized Earth Day Celebrations have been cancelled. We have been celebrating Earth Day as a family cleaning up the beach at @pointpeleenationalparkcanada for years now however the national parks and beaches are closed. I have encouraged my daughter to look at our daily lives, what we do and how we live and how those choices impact the earth, the animals, people and environment around us. Tonight we set the kids up with a movie and u...s parents began watching @aplasticocean. There are definitely moments that are upsetting but also moments that are encouraging. They mention nurdles, which I often find washed up along the shore of Lake Huron. Our eldest I mentioned earlier watch a good portion of the doc with us. Even though she’s only 6 she really does have a fair understanding about our choices. We talked about what we purchase can make an impact in the environment. Earlier this week we planted trees with our @tentree codes and I reminded her about the @4ocean bracelet I wear. We also avoid single use plastics, pack litter less lunches and compost our food waste. It’s also incredible how much fuel we have NOT consumed this last month. How are you honouring & helping the earth next week? #everydayisearthday #earthday #sustainableliving #singleuseplastic #savetheseaturtles #yogaliving #mindfulconsumption #noplanetb #nationalparkscanada @ Tecumseh, Ontario

A few weeks into quarantine mode we noticed a change in our older daughters behaviour... it was mostly baby talk, using words a toddler would, not speaking in full sentences. We were not sure if it was from spending so much time with her younger sister who has a slight speech delay or if it was something along these lines. As we’ve all settled into our routine and rolls in the new normal it has corrected. Have you noticed any regressions with your little ones? And with regar...ds to the speech delay... don’t wait and see! We were so glad that we were on top of it and able to get her into Talk2Me as well as having her hearing tested. She couldn’t hear, or her hearing was equivalent to being underwater and she had fluid in her ear canal. Once it was corrected and she could hear, along with the support of her speech pathologist, there have been amazing improvements!! https://www.today.com//child-regression-signs-regression-k

How fun!! My daughter just cast her vote, you can select your vote for which Out of this World scene Julie's Paint Party should guide us in for Friday’s KIDS virtual paint party! Can anyone guess which children’s yoga song Ms Kyrstin immediately started humming when I saw the options?... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 . . . . BLASTOFF! Laurie Berkner Band ‘s Rocket Ship Run! (

Happy Easter!! The last month has been challenging at times, but we’ve taken those moments to really reassess what’s important. Is it challenging because we were accustomed to living a certain way, and is there another way that we could approach that situation. I believe each challenge we’ve faced we have come out on the other side better than we would have in the past. While it make not seem like a big deal but like many families who weren’t making unnecessary trips, we ha...d to come up with an alternative way to decorating Easter Eggs. In the past we’ve done dye kits, stickers/gems and painting but this year we opted to use food scraps to create different natural dye colouring. One our goals as a family during quarantine time is less waste and use what we have. Thanks to @marniwasserman and Jesse at the @ultimatehealthpodcast for the inspiration! Can you you guess what food items we used for our colours? . . . . . . . #naturallydyed #naturaleastereggs #happyeaster #quarantinekitchen #stayhomeclub #zerowastehome #minimalistfamily #consciousconsumer #mindfulliving #yogaliving #practicewhatyoupreach

Hello Everyone! Since this social distancing started last month, I began working on a blog! The first post I shared the main songs I use in early years and younger grade classes. I have given parents a break down of the actions, links to find the songs/ YouTube videos. Many of my preschool students are familiar with these songs and actions. https://www.flourishyogawellness.com//are-you-ready-to-plu... I have also recently posted two more blog posts. The first features Kira Willey’s Bunny Breathe exercise and a cute little bunny face craft we whipped up using random craft supplies we have on hand to go along with it. https://www.flourishyogawellness.com/p/breathe-like-a-bunny The next post was all about Egg-cellent Activities using the refillable eggs (or how to repurpose art work) to make a movement based scavenger hunt. https://www.flourishyogawellness.com//egg-cellent-activiti I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend and if you have a moment take a peak at the activities for some simple yet festive fun! Hoppy Easter!

Has your child had some BIG emotions lately? Their routines have been shaken up. Routines give children and sense of calm and security. When we do not feel that sense of calm and security from our routine anxiety can come up, but it doesn’t always come out as I feel worried or anxious. Children show anxiety as anger, sadness, belly aches etc. Here are 9 helpful ways to support little ones with their BIG emotions. And one of the best ways to help us with our eMOTIONS is with MOTION!

What day is it even? How are you doing? How is self isolation/ quarantine going for you and your littles? While I love the time I get to spend with my littles and my Mr. Yoga, I definitely miss getting to share yoga with the little ones everyday. ... I know we have at least another month of this new normal and I know for my family it’s finding a new balance and flow to our days. We tackled painting our bedroom this weekend (in love with this deep blue ) and the kids had WAY to much screen time, so now our day is a little learning, lotta movement (kids have energy!), nature time and relaxing. If you are like me and want less screen time for the kids, I’ve written a blog post with my favourite kids yoga songs and the actions we do. I cue these songs on iTunes or Spotify and we get moving. The entire playlist is about 20 mins, here you can watch me do it in 25 seconds. Our bodies need the stretch and movement as much as there’s do! Click the link in my bio to direct you to the post! My girls and I have been working on some mindful crafts as well for future blog posts! Stay tuned!

Earth Hour is tomorrow night! I obviously think it is important to unplug for the hour but I feel like Mother Earth has really benefited from the slowing down of the world the last few weeks. How do you plan to unplug tomorrow night for the hour? ... Last year we turned off all our lights, unplugged all electronics and held a family dance party with our little Bluetooth speaker This year we are having an indoor camp out! Lights out, no power, like real camping but in our home, because well #stayhome Other great options are... Candle light yoga or meditation Flashlight walks Paying board games or card games Listening to the sounds of nature Star gazing Reading with candle light I know some of our creative parenting ideas have been exhausted over the last few weeks. We’ve been slowly sprinkling them here and there to switch things up during quarantine time. Share your ideas below! Even if they aren’t used for earth hour it may just give some families different ideas for the next few weeks.

Canadian Mental Health Association - Windsor is hosting a FREE Webinar to Build Resiliency during the time of Covid19.

Hello ! Anyone else feeling like it’s that week between Christmas and New Years, everyone is home, not quiet sure what day it is, minus the visits with family and friends. We are enjoying the sunshine and fresh air today and it feels so good! One of our goals for quarantine time has actually been daily outdoor time no matter the weather! Which included walks around the block while it was raining. ... How are you getting connected with nature and spending time outside?

While the news is filled with so much fear and uncertainty I am really trying to work on my mindset to look at the silver lining. Every day/situation may not be good, but there is good in every day! This message has so much truth and goodness in it! *Beautiful message from Bill Gates* Subject: ...Continue reading

Last week was March Break, after spending the week with my girls enjoying time off, I would be back to work this morning, but I am not. Which has given me a variety of emotions. While I am grateful for the downtime with my family, there is uncertainty and sadness in my range of feelings. I will be missing those tiny hands and big smiles. I remind myself that this will pass and I know we will meet again. Last night I committed to daily movement and meditation practice. This m...orning the first thing I did was sit on my bed and meditated. I am not expert at meditation but having taken a few courses it has given me the tools to establish a practice. Do you practice meditation?

Oh Sunday... when Sunday’s are usually relaxing, hanging as a family and organizing for the week, today you felt off. Tonight I planned to tune into @znatek ‘s online class from @breathepilatesandfitness. I also had one of those moments before the class when I was like naw, I am not going to do it, BUT then I checked in and realized I really had nothing stopping me, nothing! Not a single thing to do. I rolled out my mat and turned it on and tonight the yin poses were a stru...ggle for my busy mind. I could have turned it off, rolled up my mat, quit (why practicing in a studio has so many benefits) but I didn’t, I stuck it out, while listening to my kids Barbie episode in the other room. I did the poses, moved my body, focused on my breath. Every once and a while a little visitor joined me, until the near end when our little family of 4 was all following along. I am so glad that @breathepilatesandfitness and the amazing teachers are offering these classes and so glad that I decided to roll out my mat.

Just because we can’t make it out to classes at the studio doesn’t mean our practice needs to stop. Breathe Pilates and Fitness Studio has a wonderful line up of teachers doing Facebook Live classes next week! If you can’t make the LIVE time work I highly suggest you check out the reply!

If this situation has taught us anything it is the power of community (even when we can’t be together physically). From authors and artists offering online learning lessons, to community wide scavenger hunts, the last few days, while not easy for many, have had some really wonderful moments and offerings. If you have been in one of my yoga classes you know I have major love for Kira Willey. Well Kira too has offered up something wonderful.... https://kirawilley.com//stay-calm-resources-for-the-kids-a If you check out the link below you are able to download her Mindful Moments for Kids album! A variety of quick easy breathing and mindfulness exercises for you and your children to do together! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! It even includes my two most played songs by her... Dance for the Sun and Just Be!!

Keeping the kids entertain and calm... it is possible!

Happy Monday! One thing we can all practice right now is harnessing the power of our breathe! Always with us, inside us, and powerful enough to calm our bodies and minds. Imagine the impact if everyone who is practicing social distancing used some of our extra time to practice mindful breathing exercises! #mindfulmarch

This right here!!

Who is feeling the stress, fear and anxiety of the covid-19 pandemic? My approach, be safe, take precautions and then continue with doing the things that help m...e be healthy. On most days I do many of these. Sometimes it’s just 5 minutes of yoga. Maybe three sun salutations. We have so many practices to help strengthen the immune system out there! We know that a calmer nervous system allows for healing. So rest, diffuse some lavender (maybe some tea tree oil too), breath deeply, exhale completely. Remind yourself that you are healthy, you are safe, the stress is already here, hold yourself in compassion and kindness, be kind to others. #healthy #yoga #covid_19 #meditation #immunesystem #immunebooster #love #mindfulmamas See more

It’s true that children live now with more fears and anxieties then ever before, there are many many reasons for this but some come from families who live in a fearful mindset, others from busy stressful schedules, some from news sources that is on the television while they are up and around . This virus and it’s spread is causing us to change the way we have come accustomed to living and that can be difficult. Change is uncomfortable, ch...ange brings about fear, as I mentioned the other day in my stories playing the what if game can help you mentally solve some of the fears popping up. But also it is important to look at the flip side. What if I get unexpected time off to spend with my children, what if we have no commitments how can we connect together, what if I had extra time to read that book I started months ago. We are not confined to the inside of the four walls of our homes, we are able to step outside and enjoy being in nature (it’s also so beneficial for our wellbeing and immunity). Sharing these wise word from @yogi_dee_ @deevineintentions as well as some really great infographics from @mindheart.kids #mindfulness #mindfulduringstress #coronavirus #socialdistancing #mindfulfamilies #justbreathe #bekind #washyourhands #yogaforfamilies #timetomeditate #wegotthis #iwillnotliveinfear #fearlessholdfaithhigh @ Windsor, Ontario

Well it’s time to get mindful! It is Mindful March after all. Schools start March break after the last bell rings tomorrow, and once students would be back to school after a week off, we get an extra 2 weeks for time with our kids. I am choosing excitement over fear! (Our bodies often confuse these emotions).... The whole point of closing schools is to reduce social interactions in hopes to reduce the spread. While it doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors all the time it means avoiding busy public places. Our family is going to embrace this as a chance to live in the moment, practice slowing down, spending quality time together and enjoy nature! So take a few moments each day to breathe, maybe meditation, sit outside and practice mindfully being present and wash your hands!

Some of my sweetest Little Yogis! I can’t believe it is almost March! March also happens to be 1 Year of visiting Kinder Academy! I will leave you with a little of the cuteness overload I get from these sweeties... As we sing our Hello song each class, at the end of the song we define Namaste as hello, goodbye and all that is good in me, sees all that is good in you...and we are all filled with good stuff... A little preschooler says...yes, I’m filled with bones and food Yes little man and so much more! Have a wonderful weekend!

It’s Pink Shirt day!! A day where we celebrate KINDNESS with the goal of stopping BULLYING. We should be living EVERY day like it’s pink shirt day, but if having a specific day brings more awareness, I am all for it. Did you know PINK Shirt Day started from a boy who was bullied / harassed because he wore a pink shirt? Pink Shirt Day is what it is now because other students saw this and wanted to make a positive space in schools and communities where everyone can feel includ...ed and safe. We don’t have to like the colour pink, but if someone else does or if they choose to wear pink we do not need to judge them for it. So today (and always) may your thoughts, words and actions come from love and kindness. : @lovelylittlethingscreations Peace. Love. Kindness Ms Kyrstin . . . . . . #bekindornevermind #kindnessrocks #pinkshirtday #nobullying #stopbullying #kindnessmatters #kindnessstartswithme #kindnessbeginswithme #bekindtooneanother #mindfulkids #gecdsbproud #tecumsehontario #windsorontario

One of my favourite things about being in schools pretty much every day is seeing all the inspiring messages. Messages to inspire kindness, a growth mindset and perseverance! Hallways are filled with reasons to celebrate! They celebrate students as individuals and also demonstrate how beautiful things can be when we come together in collaboration. Thank You Holy Name Elementary for having me back! I always enjoy my visits! Also thanks to the student in the hall who took my ...photo in front of the wings! Peace. Love. Namaste. Ms Kyrstin

Teacher Friends!! Classes love new books! This Mindfulness Deck is wonderful! (I also love the Yoga Pretzels Deck that I used in two classes TODAY with very different aged children!) Laura Moran is a wonderful rep if you are local!

When did we decide we need to stop acting like toddlers?? Toddlers have a terrific way about looking at life! After a few EarlyON Mindful Movement sessions being cancelled the last few weeks we have TWO sessions this week! Roseville EarlyON Tuesday at 10 am... Begley EarlyON Thursday at 9:30 am

Snuggled up on a Friday night! What’s something you love to do? I hope you did something today for you. After all to be able to fully give love to others we first have to give love to ourselves. If we are forgiving, loving and kind to ourselves we are able to more forgiving, loving and kind to others. . .... . . . . #selfcare #loveyourself #loveyourselffirst #valentinesday #galentinesday #selflove #forgiving #bekind #bekindtoyourmind #yogaeverywhere #mindfulness #meditation @ Tecumseh, Ontario See more

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Nicole Vetere of New Age Teacher during our Children’s Yoga Teacher Training with Young Yoga Masters. Nicole is an educator who sees first hand what cuts to education will do to our children. She also sees what rotating strikes have done to students who thrive on the routine of going to school. Parents, children and Teachers are feeling the stress, but the goal of these short term disruptions is to prevent cuts to make school a stressor for all students daily. I am going to take advantage of some extra time with my daughter today to listen to a meditation or two that Nicole has beautifully crafted.