Journal Entry: "Sometimes the light has to dim for you to see clearly."

On 3/5/20 @ 12:45PM I wrote:

“I was starting to focus so much on the light, that I was beginning to have an estranged relationship with the darkness.  Today I faced the darkness,  and eventually, I was settled. I found myself in stillness met with complete silence.  It was then that it was brought to my attention that sometimes the light has to dim for you to see clearly!

A while ago, I was coming across several social media posts, individuals and readings that shed light on the dangers of always looking to the light.  The unfortunate process associated with only speaking of your growth, always presenting positive and so on... It rubbed me the wrong way.  I sat with this for weeks, but i knew enough to know that I had this association for a reason and needed to look closer.  I would disconnect from anyone and anything that "challenged" me to look closer, beyond the surface, behind the light or in the shadows. 

Today, I couldn't hide or only focus on the light any longer.  I was forced to see myself, explore my thoughts which led me beyond the surface... It led me to a place I was trying to bury. 

In this moment, I am truly grateful for the pain, the resistance, the lingering effects, as it has made the unveiling of what was beneath the surface and in the shadows that much greater!

THANK YOU God, life and all the angels that surround me... Watching over me, protecting me, leading me and guiding me everyday!

With a heart of gratitude, THANK YOU!”

The journal entry above was written shortly after my last bodywork session on 3/5/20.  That moment of realization was pivotal in my transformation that has brought healing to assist during this time of shelter. There continues to be moments that lead to non-preferred feelings and emotions. But they don't last as long and are not as frequent as before.  Some moments feel the most difficult. Most moments feel (bearable) content because of growth. I feel guilty for really good days. Lonely during the non-preferred days. Grateful for the days I understand.

Light.

Dark.

Open.

Close.

Hidden.

Revealed.

Perspective.

One day at a time.

~ Shawnte Forrer

Tips and Resources for Kid’s Yoga, Mindfulness and Meditation!

Being a parent of 3, I can sympathize with the current challenges many parents face on a daily basis now juggling all the moving parts and responsibilities during this time of shelter in place.  My children range from 7 - 18 and each has their own personalized set of needs that seem to be constantly changing.  What has made this time bearable is our attention to each other's Mental Health and personalized needs.  Practicing mindfulness and meditation (not always regularly) has helped us to reconnect and offered relief from the stress and anxieties that surface.  Let me be clear, this does not always come easily, but with practice it can become manageable.   

Parents have been asking for resources for mindful activities and meditation practices specifically for their youth.  It can be overwhelming as there is so much content out there, especially during this time, when so much has surfaced into the virtual world.  More than likely, as you sit here, you too could use a moment to check in and take a deep breath or 10.  (Insert smiling Emoji)  Here I share a few suggestions to get you started from what I have enjoyed or heard from fellow parents that works well for their families.

First, an established routine at bedtime, in the morning or sometime during the day is a helpful practice in itself.  Consistency for most of us will take time to develop and that is ok too!! The familiarity of the eventual routine also makes it easier to get into a healthy habit that can be referenced during say a time of frustration, melt down or when you need to bring the child into the present moment.  Many of the suggestions you find can be gradually incorporated into your life as it naturally flows for your family.  Try to release any expectations for the outcomes or judgement of what is “successful”.  Here are some tips/resources I hope you will find useful.  If you have any questions or additional suggestions, as always please feel free to contact me via email.   shawnteforrer@gmail.com

~ Morning Stretches.  5 mins is more than enough time to get the blood flowing to the brain, to incorporate playfulness and to start the day together!  This can be done in bed or even while performing morning routines such as brushing teeth.  (Links to Morning Stretches coming soon.)

~ Nightly Stretches.  Similar to morning with slightly different stretches to start the calmness just before bed.  Some families report having active stretches is more beneficial to their child to help settle before that final goodnight hug or kiss.  You can explore what works best for you! (Links to Nightly Stretches coming soon.)

~YouTube videos.  There are many out there and I am currently creating a list to share. To get you started, I personally really like Cosmic Kids Yoga.  She has mindful/meditation classes that are as short as 5 mins.  As well as long playful flows with fun themed stories to get the child moving and excited to do so.  I find kids 4-10ish years old do well with her videos and find them enjoyable. Review from a family: "We've been doing some short bedtime flows on YouTube.  I really like "Adriene". She has several short 5-10 min flows that are sweet and soothing."  Yoga with Adriene is wonderful.  I started my online practice taking her classes myself when I was new to yoga.  She has classes geared towards younger children, teens as well as adults.  Make it a family affair!

~ Outschool has classes.  Do some research and if interested I can provide a link for you to receive a $20 credit for classes. This one is new to me, but comes highly recommended from a parent friend.

~ Apps for your phone or tablet.  I personally have never used apps for meditation or mindful activities, but I will share a few highly recommended by a parent friend who is also an educator.  She suggests:  Headspace, Calm, Breathe, Mindful Family, and Insight Timer. 

~ Podcast.  I have also heard many wonderful things about the Peace Out Relaxation Stories for Kids podcast.  This came highly recommended, try it out and let me know your thoughts!

~ Websites.  There are many websites providing you with helpful ideas for games, activities and ways to incorporate play based on the various developmental stages of your child to keep them active while inside.  A yoga teacher friend who is also a nanny suggested a site from What Moms Love that has over 80 indoor games and activities for children.  She has incorporated some of these into her virtual nanny session with her kiddos.  Yep, she is still their nanny in this new virtual world and has found the activities from this sight useful and as she put it, “Pretty FUN!”.  If she can keep them engaged virtually, surely this site is worth a try.

~ Create a music playlist.  Music can be a therapeutic and useful tool to help children find calm and connection between their mind and body.  Having a playlist of preferred music your child enjoys can be helpful during certain tasks throughout the day.  Playing exciting music can motivate, while softer music can help through transitions in schedules or for times of rest. 

In a recent social media post I shared the hard decision to suspend children’s yoga virtually to the public.  The attendance was inconsistent and yet, there is so much energy that goes into teaching children yoga especially virtually.  I wanted to honor my own needs and the needs of my family especially while getting my two youngest acclimated to their new school situation.  However, since that time, I have been approached by many families requesting assistance.  I am now offering privates including donation based classes upon requests based on the specific needs and schedules of the families seeking my assistance.  I hope this serves as a resource for you and your family.  Please consider referring others that you think could benefit from this information.  

If you have any additional needs, suggestions or could use my offerings be in touch!

Our children have always required a lot of our time and energy.  Now, there seems to be even more requests for play, snuggles, movies, snacks, mediating, help with classwork, I mean the list goes on.  Every child no matter the developmental stage, age or ability to be independent has needs that have shifted due to these times we are in. I like to use the analogy of the Oxygen Mask on an airplane here.  When Parents are overwhelmed with the responsibility to care for their child, I remind them of the instructions to use the oxygen mask on an airplane in the event there is an emergency.  YOU are to put YOUR mask on FIRST, before assisting even your child.  Your mental health, needs and sanity must be dealt with before you can be accessible to your child.  Seriously, be sure to take care of doing whatever it is that you need so that you can be more emotionally and physically available to your child.  I also teach and work with adults/families.  If you are in need of assistance for your own well-being, please reach out and I will do my best to assist in any way that I can!

Be well friends, take it one day at a time and allow yourself to feel the ALL the FEELS!! You and and your families are worth it!!

~~Shawnte <3  (Remember when you had to make your own emojis?!)  : )

The Healing of Beach Yoga

Well, the time has come. Beach Yoga is no longer. At least for now. It was definitely good while it lasted!! We shared time during Donation Based Community Beach Yoga (DBCBY) from May till November of 2019. Six months of healing for sure! On the beach of Alameda at Shoreline Drive and Kittyhawk @ 9am.

There were dozens of wonderful yogis that chose to spend their Saturdays on the beach while weather permitted to practice and share the benefits of yoga. Some with a “regular” practice and some just to “check it out”. Each coming with their own set of intentions. Many openly reported they were coming to find community, peace, movement and solace. Sometimes lingering long after class to look out into the Bay, chat with old/new friends or just to sit a little longer to soak up the good vibes!!

Each week, I was grateful to lead anywhere from 2-15 yogis. Most of the season averaging around 8 bodies. Various bodies of different sizes, shapes and capabilities. Some eager and some reluctant. One thing each had in common, their desire for change! This desire led each individual to find and strengthen their physical, emotional and spiritual selves. I was fortunate to exchange a smile, hug or conversation with each beautiful being. Once at the end of a practice I was just so overjoyed with how the community showed up authentically, that I shed a few tears. Just the thought of that particular morning, still warms my heart!

I started doing yoga on the beach the morning of Mother’s Day 2018. Initially, I was nervous and self-conscious. But, by the end… I felt ALIVE!! It felt good to overcome a fear. I allowed my anxiety over it to fuel me, move me and for the first time, I was fully in MY MIND, BODY and SOUL HAPPILY!! I shared the experience with a few. It was the suggestion of a friend to start a class on the beach coupled with my passion that sparked something in me, a desire to share this experience with others.

The amount of support and love I received during DBCBY has been priceless!! The testimonies that others share of their experiences while practicing on the beach overwhelms me with pure joy! Some share the HEALING that has taken place in their lives because of it. They share that the benefits of this ancient practice has led to fewer migraines, increased feelings of confidence, improvements in their relationships, increase in ability to calm themselves when dealing with anxiety, decrease in depressive episodes, increase of self care off of the mat, better work weeks, mental clarity, greater physical strength/flexibility/balance… I mean the list goes on.

My journey with self-care and healing from past and current traumas is largely based on my commitment to show up and exchange in such a beautiful practice. Each person that I have shared in this experience with has also taught me in some way or another. Each exchange greatly appreciated!

Many have requested to continue this Saturday meet up. We have a few ideas of how to make it work in the absence of the beach now that the weather has turned cooler. We will continue to meet up. If you are interested, please reach out and I will gladly add you to the email list for Donation Based Community Yoga in an effort to make community and healing through yoga accessible to EVERYONE!!

Until we meet again under warmer skies at the beach… NAMASTE

Shawnte'