You are invited to meet with me on Thursday's, 10:30-11am (EST) for Toddler Yoga! Parents, grandparents or caregivers can join with your little one in this fun exploration of yoga via Zoom. Single classes or a discounted series of four classes are available. No previous yoga experience is needed. 
Sponsored by the Yoga Center of Columbia. 
Register at www.columbiayoga.com. 
Please contact me via this site with any questions.

During this time of uncertainty, children and adults can benefit from the knowledge of the many breathing techniques available to help bring calm.
I've written an article for YogaUOnline, which I hope you'll share with family and friends.
https://www.yogauonline.com/yoga-for-kids/breath-awareness-for-young-children

May you see the light in the darkness during challenging times.
May you feel the loving presence of those who hold you in their thoughts and prayers.
May your spirit find what it needs to sustain you on this journey.
May you discover your inner strength and face difficulties with dignity and grace.
May you be filled with comfort, love, strength and a lasting sense of peace.

A mother of a preschool yoga student emailed me this morning looking for ideas to help keep her daughter's yoga practice active during this time of social distancing due to the pandemic.  We shared different ideas and she came up with the project of having her children paint rocks with themes of encouragement to leave outside for others.  

Seva, in Sanskrit, means selfless service. It is something we give without the need to receive back.  How wonderful to see these children contributing to the uplifting of their community!

Spirit of winter, rest and help us to enjoy your peace in this quiet place.
Remind us to pause during this season.
Grant us awareness, keep our gratitude fresh each day.
May the songs in our heart be blessings and insights to us and to others
and may compassion always shine forth from the depths of our hearts. 

-Christine Robinson

With the holiday season upon us, we can easily become overwhelmed. Nature invites us to reconnect, to seek out simplicity and what truly brings joy.  Perhaps for you it's a walk outside, a talk with a treasured friend, or the laughter of a child. We're all invited, especially now, to carve out these moments of time for ourselves.

Meister Eckhart, a German philosopher from the late 1200's said, "We know so many things but we don't know ourselves. Go into your own ground and learn to know yourself there."

During this week before Thanksgiving, we look to be grounded, to find that calm, safe and secure space.  Yoga's sister science of Ayurveda reminds us autumn is a time of vata energy. When in excess, vata contains the possibility of associated imbalances of headaches, anxiety and a general lack of energy.
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We can ground ourselves by spending time in nature, using the yogic breathing technique of alternate nostril breath, and eating grounding foods such as root vegetables served warm. 

In my classes this week our focus word was 'santosha' or 'contentment'.  Yoga Sutra 2.42, 'Santosha anuttamah sukha labha' roughly translates to 'contentment brings extreme happiness'.  The month of November, with its Thanksgiving celebration, is a perfect time to practice contentment and gratitude - to love our life as it is, count our blessings and find joy in every moment.

The yogic practice of aparigraha, non-clinging or non-grasping, teaches us to let go of what we no longer need - something nature has forever done.  Trees no longer hold their leaves, and we, too, can let go of the past, face the future to become the best of who we are.

Nature can teach us.

This week I did leaf gazing meditations with classes.  I encourage you to take a walk, feel the earth beneath your feet, and select a leaf.  Hold the leaf at eye level and gaze at its colors and shape. Close your eyes and feel its texture. Does it hold a scent? Bring your focus to your breath as you hold the leaf with your eyes closed. Feel your connection with the Earth.  Consider a positive affirmation. Know just as the trees have let go, you can as well creating space for something better.