Synopses & Reviews
Wouldnand#8217;t it be great if your child could exercise, have fun, and build concentration skills all at the same time?
In 2006, the Little Flower Yoga program was developed by teacher and certified yoga instructor Jennifer Cohen Harper, when her successful use of yoga in her kindergarten classroom led to requests by other students, teachers, and administrators for yoga programs of their own. Harper slowly began to teach more and more yoga classes, and eventually recruited other yoga teachers with education backgrounds to continue growing what had become a flourishing program.
Little Flower Yoga for Kids offers this fun and unique program combining yoga and mindfulness in an easy-to-read format. Written specifically for parents and kids, the book aims at teaching children to pay attention, increase focus, and balance their emotionsand#151;all while building physical strength and flexibility. Based on a growing body of evidence that yoga and mindfulness practices can help children develop focus and concentration, the simple yoga exercises in this book can easily be integrated into their childand#8217;s daily routine, ultimately improving health, behavior, and even school achievement.
The book details the five main components of the program: connect, breath, move, focus, and relax. Drawing on these components, Harper shares practical activities that parents can use with their children both on a daily basis and as applied to particularly challenging issues. And while this book is targeted to parents, teachers may also find it extremely useful in helping students achieve better attention and focus.
For more information about this innovative program, visit www.littlefloweryoga.com.
Review
"Harper [Cohen], founder and director of the New York-based national organization Little Flower Yoga, explains the general tenets of yoga, as well as the elements of her program in this parent- and child-friendly guide. The interrelated traditions of yoga and mindfulness, Harper asserts, can help children learn awareness and self-regulation, relieve stress, and increase focus. The core of the book is devoted to the five Little Flower components: connect, breathe, move, focus, and relax. The sections provide yoga poses (asana), breathing techniques, and meditations, and are clearly illustrated so parents can readily follow and teach. Harper also walks readers through the eight limbs of yoga, and clearly explains how yoga strengthens 'the thoughtful brain' (the prefrontal cortex) so children feel 'calm, safe, secure and unconditionally accepted.' Advice on how to bring yoga off the mat and into other parts of a childs life (school, friendships) is also offered. Written with clarity and compassion, Harpers guide will inspire parents and educators to use the tools of yoga to help children overcome daily stress and live with greater emotional balance; the text is also likely to prompt adult readers to step up their own yoga practice."
Publishers Weekly Jennifer Cohen Harper's Little Flower Yoga for Kids is a clear, thoughtful, distinctive guide to the world of children's yoga. A must-read for the journey. It is a great addition to my training resource list.”
Joanne Spence, executive director of Yoga in Schools
Body awareness enables people of all ages to be present in the here and now, an uncommon state these days. Cohen Harper helps young children to begin to move and connect their breathing with their bodies, from head to toe. Starting yoga at a young age plants a seed that will provide innumerable benefits later on, physically, psychologically, and emotionally. This book can be easily utilized and understood by many.”
Gina M. Biegel, MA, LMFT, is a psychotherapist, founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program for Teens (MBSR-T), and author of The Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens
This delightful book is an integration of the author's experience both as classroom teacher and a yoga teacher. Clearly and succinctly, Cohen Harper shows how dynamic mindfulness skills such as yoga, breathing techniques, and meditation can help children flourish in school and in life. It is as much a guide for children as it is for the adults around them, helping all with stress management, self-awareness, and emotion regulation. With one in two children dropping out of our inner-city schools, there is no time like the present for widespread dissemination and adoption of these foundational, time-tested, transformative practices.”
Bidyut K. Bose, PhD, founder and executive director of the Niroga Institute at www.niroga.org
Review
and#147;Bridging the science of yoga for children with practical application, Cohen Harper demonstrates her extensive experience as an educator and kids' yoga teacher with this indispensable resource for parents, educators, therapists, and other adults who care deeply for the children in their lives. Whether you are new to the practice or an experienced Yogi, Little Flower's five essential elements of yoga for children will provide you with an accessible framework for sharing yoga with kids. This thoughtfully written book includes information such as how to set up a yoga space and which props to use; dozens of child-friendly meditation activities, breathing exercises, and poses; and the science behind it all, providing the reader with a comprehensive approach to promoting mindfulness, focus, and resilience.and#8221;
and#151;Lisa Flynn, founder of ChildLight Yoga and Yoga 4 Classrooms and author of the Yoga 4 Classrooms Card Deck and Yoga for Children
Review
and#147;The curriculumand#8217;s fluid and organic incorporation of and#145;connect, breathe, move, focus, and relaxand#8217; ensure that students will have a full and joyful experience each time they are on the mat and practicing yoga. My favorite parts are the laughter, the connection, and the and#145;a-haand#8217; moments that are a part of her classes every day!and#8221;
and#151;Susan Verde, parent
Review
and#147;
Little Flower Yoga for Kids is an excellent guidebook for parents and educators seeking a program that will help children with focus and balance. Cohen Harper does a masterful job of simplifying the practices of yoga while maintaining the integrity of the tradition. She divides activities into handy categories like connecting, breathing, moving, focusing, and relaxingand#151;all of which offer a comprehensive set of tools for parents to support the growth of the whole family. The perfect manual for making kids and parents more aware of the magic of mindfulness.and#8221;and#160;
and#151;Beryl Bender Birch, director and founder of the Hard and the Soft Yoga Institute and the Give Back Yoga Foundation
and#160;
Review
"Harper [Cohen], founder and director of the New York-based national organization Little Flower Yoga, explains the general tenets of yoga, as well as the elements of her program in this parent- and child-friendly guide. The interrelated traditions of yoga and mindfulness, Harper asserts, can help children learn awareness and self-regulation, relieve stress, and increase focus. The core of the book is devoted to the five Little Flower components: connect, breathe, move, focus, and relax. The sections provide yoga poses (asana), breathing techniques, and meditations, and are clearly illustrated so parents can readily follow and teach. Harper also walks readers through the eight limbs of yoga, and clearly explains how yoga strengthens 'the thoughtful brain' (the prefrontal cortex) so children feel 'calm, safe, secure and unconditionally accepted.' Advice on how to bring yoga off the mat and into other parts of a childand#8217;s life (school, friendships) is also offered. Written with clarity and compassion, Harperand#8217;s guide will inspire parents and educators to use the tools of yoga to help children overcome daily stress and live with greater emotional balance; the text is also likely to prompt adult readers to step up their own yoga practice."
and#151;Publishers Weekly
Review
"Feeling anxious is so much a part of modern life that we almost forget how limiting it can be. But not these authors. They offer us clear information and techniques for dealing with anxiety on a daily basis. They teach us what the brain does when we are anxious, and what we can do about it, by changing the focus of our thinking and getting us on the yoga mat and meditation cushion for time-honored practices. —But mostly they give us readers the confidence that we can transcend our anxiety and lead richer and more enjoyable lives. Highly recommended for yoga teachers and others interested in the whole picture of anxiety, including the spiritual angst that usually accompanies it. I especially enjoyed the personal stories scattered throughout the book."
—Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D., PT, has been teaching yoga since 1971 and is author of eight books, including Yogabody
Review
"Writing in a clear, step-by-step format, Mary and Rick NurrieStearns provide simple practices to help identify and counteract negative thoughts, induce relaxation, develop awareness, reduce stress, and heal anxiety. The authors create a connection with the reader by using images and examples from everyday life that resonate with everyone’s experiences. Yoga for Anxiety integrates modern psychology with basic yoga practices, including postures, breathing, mindfulness, and meditation. In the early chapters, basic information suitable for beginners provides the foundation for more advanced material as the book progresses. For anyone suffering from anxiety, Yoga for Anxiety is a great place to begin the journey to recovery."
—Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD, and Richard P. Brown, MD, coauthors of How to Use Herbs, Nutrients, and Yoga in Mental Health Care
Review
"Yoga is one of the best-validated therapies in the entire field of integrative medicine. It is especially valuable because it addresses all we are: body, mind, and spirit. Yoga for Anxiety is an excellent guide for anyone seeking greater serenity, peace, and fulfillment, and who isn’t?"
—Larry Dossey, MD, author of Healing Words and The Power of Premonitions
Review
"By combining traditional psychology with the deep teachings of yoga, Mary and Rick NurrieStearns help you move past anxiety in order to experience your true nature. Yoga for Anxiety clearly shows that when you are willing to mindfully face and release your anxiety, it actually becomes a doorway to deep inner freedom and happiness."
—Michael A. Singer, author of The Untethered Soul
Review
“In Helping Your Anxious Child, parents are provided a step-by-step guide for assisting their children in overcoming a panoply of worries, fears, and anxieties. The strategies described are well-established ones, backed by considerable scientific support. Parents will find this book engaging, easy to read, and full of important ideas about how best to help their children.”
—Thomas H. Ollendick, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor in the department of psychology, Virginia Tech
Synopsis
Certified yoga instructor Jennifer Cohen Harper introduces Little Flower Yoga for Kids, a fun and unique program that combines yoga and mindfulness in an easy-to-read book. This program is designed especially for parents and kids, and is aimed at teaching children to pay attention, increase focus, and balance their emotionsand#151;all while building physical strength and flexibility. Based on a growing body of evidence that yoga and mindfulness practices can help children develop focus and concentration, the simple yoga exercises in this book can easily be integrated into their childand#8217;s daily routine, ultimately improving health, behavior, and even school achievement.
Synopsis
Nurture Your Childs Capacity for Joy and Resilience
Wouldnt it be great if your child could exercise, have fun, and build concentration skills all at the same time? Yoga has long been recognized as a healthy way to relieve stress and improve wellness, but did you know that it also helps increase focus? Little Flower Yoga for Kids offers parents and children a unique program combining yoga and mindfulness in an easy-to-read format. With this guide, your child will learn gentle yoga practices to help them pay better attention and balance their emotions, all while building physical strength and flexibility.
Developed by teacher and certified yoga instructor Jennifer Cohen Harper for use in New York City schools, The Little Flower Yoga program is based on five key components to help kids: connect, breathe, move, focus, and relax. Evidence shows that yoga is a powerful tool for helping kids build healthy, happy livesso why not get your child started today?
Synopsis
In Yoga for Anxiety, Mary NurrieStearns, a psychotherapist and yoga teacher, and Rick NurrieStearns, a meditation teacher, present self-healing techniques for generalized anxiety disorder drawn from the yogic tradition.
Synopsis
Many of us face daily demands and overwhelming difficulties that cause seemingly uncontrollable feelings of anxiety and fear. When you feel this way, it's healing to calm yourself and to reclaim your sense of innate goodness and well-being. For centuries, yoga has offered a quiet retreat away from life's pressures and has enabled us to reconnect to our inner wisdom and peace.
Regular yoga practice has been proven to calm stress, enhance concentration, and reduce the symptoms of anxiety. This book offers meditations, mindfulness practices, self-inquiry exercises, and yoga poses that soothe anxious feelings and develop mental clarity. Before long, you'll free yourself from the anxiety and fears that hold you back and learn to live with a more open heart and resilient mind. Just as yoga helps you feel more at home in your body, the mental and physical practices in Yoga for Anxiety help you increase your sense of contentment in life.
Synopsis
This revised and expanded edition of the best-selling Helping Your Anxious Child offers parents the most up-to-date, proven-effective techniques for helping children overcome anxiety.
Synopsis
Most children are afraid of the dark. Some fear monsters under the bed. But at least ten percent of children have excessive fears and worriesphobias, separation anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorderthat can hold them back and keep them from fully enjoying childhood. If your child suffers from any of these forms of anxiety, the program in this book offers practical, scientifically proven tools that can help. Now in its second edition, Helping Your Anxious Child has been expanded and updated to include the latest research and techniques for managing child anxiety. The book offers proven effective skills based in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to aid you in helping your child overcome intense fears and worries. You'll also find out how to relieve your child's anxious feelings while parenting with compassion.
Inside, you will learn to:
- Help your child practice detective thinking” to recognize irrational worries
- What to do when your child becomes frightened
- How to gently and gradually expose your child to challenging situations
- Help your child learn important social skills
This book has been awarded The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Seal of Meritan award bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, our books offer powerful tools readers can use to jump-start changes in their lives.
About the Author
Ronald M. Rapee, PhD, is currently professor in the Department of Psychology at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, and director of the Centre for Emotional Health. He has been involved in an advisory capacity with the DSM-IV and DSM-V, and he is a member of the US-government-sponsored Project Liberty, which works to develop anxiety management programs for children affected by disasters. He is on the scientific advisory committee for the Swiss Etiological Study of Adjustment and Mental Health, and the editorial board of several international journals.Ann Wignall, M. Psych, is senior clinical psychologist and director of child and adolescent mental health for Northern Sydney Health Service. She founded the Child and Adolescent Anxiety Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, and works clinically with children and families with a broad range of anxiety and behavioral disorders.Susan H. Spence, PhD, is professor of psychology and dean of the Division of Linguistics and Psychology at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. She was previously head of the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland, where she was also the head the School of Journalism and Communication for a time. She is a researcher and clinical psychologist who specializes in the assessment, prevention, and treatment of child and adolescent anxiety and depression. To date she has published more than 100 books and academic articles in her field.Heidi Lyneham, PhD, is currently a research fellow within the Department of Psychology at Macquarie University and deputy director of the Centre for Emotional Health.Vanessa Cobham, PhD, holds appointments within the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland and within the Mater Child and Youth Mental Health Service in Brisbane.