Welcome to the Mindful Families January Newsletter With practice ideas, articles, book recommendations and upcoming events. Feel free to share. Hig

     
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Welcome to the Mindful Families January Newsletter

With practice ideas, articles, book recommendations and upcoming events.
Feel free to share.

Highlights include a Breathe In: Sing Out - A Mindfulness-based Music Circle for Infants, toddlers & Caregivers 5 week program starting January 13, 2014. See full details below.

Mindfulness Program for Children (6-8 years) & Caregivers
4 weeks, starting January 20, 2014.

Practice Idea for January

Play Meditation: In the words of Dipa Ma, a Buddhist Master and Mindful Parent Extrodinaire, "Have fun along the way."

Today, I had an open-ended morning with my son, no rushing, nothing in particular needing to be completed (well, besides the endless to-do list for work, but that is, and may always be there. You know, complete one task just as we are adding another). But nothing specific slated for this Saturday morning. My 3-year-old invited me into a game of hide on the bed and then yell "READY!" The other person then sneaks into the room when the person on the bed yells "BOO!" So cute. I loved it. I thought - what a lovely time of connection with my son. Then, after about 3 rounds of 'Ready & BOO,' I noticed that I had been planning upcoming workshops for the last few minutes. I would dutifully yell "Ready" and "Boo" when it was my turn, but I wasn't fully in the game. Upon noticing that work had crept in and pulled my attention away, I reminded myself that it will be there tomorrow. And the next day. And the next. And I can attend to it then. Or later. But at that moment, it was time to PLAY!

Often, mindfulness and meditation practice draws upon the breath, body, sounds, taste, sight to be the object of awareness in our practice. However, as numerous instructors have told me, it is not the object per se that is critical, but rather the practice of intentionally choosing where we rest our awareness. And we practice mindfulness and meditation to support us to be present in our daily life. So, why not play? Perfect for people with children 'cause love to play!

So, for this informal mindfulness practice, the next time you are playing with a child, or an adult for that matter, how about bringing your full attention to the play. Let yourself be fully present in the activity and when the mind wanders, gently bring it back to play. Over and over, back to play.

What a great way to settle our monkey-minds - through a little monkeying around...
(couldn't resist!)

Sara's Blog:

Adventures in Mindful Parenting: Fumbling my way through, one breath at a time...

"What's the greater risk? Letting go of what people think or letting go of how I feel, what I believe, and who I am?" -- Brene Brown

A few days ago, I took my son to a local dance school's performance of the Nutcracker, our second live theater outing. The last one was a pantomime. He talked a lot. To me. To the performers on stage. Mostly a lot of questions. "Why is the bear tap-dancing? Why is the woman in the purple dress mean? Why are they throwing candy at us?" He was utterly delighted and delightful. And not a problem. I figured it would be the same today...

My son was enthralled for most of the first act. With earnest questions like, "Why are the dancers running away? Where is the rat king? Why won't the rat king come back?" The dirty looks and irritated glares began...

[read full post]

Book Pick of the Month

Dipa Ma: The Life and Legacy of a Buddhist Master by Amy Schmidt introduces the reader to Dipa Ma's life story and teachings; a Buddhist Master who taught in the midst of home life, in her simple apartment in Calcutta, while raising her daughter. As someone interested in mindful parenting, I was riveted by her story and her teachings. I think she may just be the true grandmother of mindful parenting.

Amy writes, "Dipa Ma came to understand that she could make family part of the [meditation] journey. Dipa Ma's approach was a radical inclusiveness - everything and the kitchen sink."

Dipa Ma stated once to leading American Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield, "Live your life. Do the dishes. Do the laundry. Take your kids to kindergarten. Raise your children and grandchildren... Make all of that your path, and follow your path with heart."

She was also quoted as saying, "When I'm moving, shopping, everything, I'm always doing it with mindfulness. I know these are things I have to do, but they aren't problems."

These words were a great reminder to me that even those things that we need to just 'get-out-of-the-way' are a rich opportunity to practice mindfulness.

With personal anecdotes from Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein, this book makes an inspiring read for anyone interested in cultivating presence in their every day family lives. Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

Click HERE to view a short film about Dipa Ma by Jack Kornfield

Upcoming Events

Breathe In, Sing Out: Music, Mindfulness & Fun for You and Your Little One.

Breathe In, Sing Out offers a fun way for parents to practice mindfulness, nurture connection & have fun with their little ones.

In this 5-week program, Sara Marlowe, MSW, RSW will teach both original and classic songs, mindfulness activities and breath practices that are engaging for little ones, while also planting seeds of mindfulness, relaxation, awareness, connection, kindness and gratitude.

WHO: For babies, toddler, preschoolers & caregivers.
WHEN: January 13 – February 10, 2014 (5 Mondays),
TIME: 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. (18-30 months). 10:45 – 11:30 a.m. (newborn to 18 months)
WHERE: The Toronto Healing Arts Centre. 717 Bloor St. W. (Bloor just East of Christie).
COST: $100 - includes a copy of “No Ordinary Apple: A Story about Eating Mindfully”

Breathe In & Shine: Mindfulness for Children & Families
Are you interested in sharing mindfulness with your children?

In this 4-week program, Sara will introduce child-friendly mindfulness practices to children and their families that they can then practice together at home. Practices will include games, songs, stories, art activities and everyday mindful awareness practices that can help to reduce stress and support connection in today's often hectic households.

Monday evenings. Jan. 20 - Feb. 10th, 2014. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Dufferin & Bloor. For children 6-8 and their caregivers.Cost is $110 (for up to 3 family members) and includes all art materials, a mindfulness activity booklet and a copy of "No Ordinary Apple." Email Sara for info and registration.

Mindful Kids

Join Sara Marlowe for a fun hour of Mindfulness Story, Song and Play.
WHEN: Sunday, January 19th, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Story Planet. 1165 Bloor St. W. (Bloor just West of Dufferin).
For children ages 5-9.
Please RSVP to liz@storyplanet.ca with 'mindfulness' as the subject.
Free of charge.

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Individual, Family & Group Counseling offered by Sara Marlowe, MSW, RSW

I offer counselling services to individual children, youth, and adults as well as families in the West Toronto area. You can read more about my services at Psychology Today

Feel free to email me with any questions. info@mindfulfamilies.ca

Looking Ahead

Sara will be offering the following programs starting the last week of March / 1st week of April, 2014:

1. Breathe In & Shine: Mindfulness for Children & Families - on Saturday mornings for 6 weeks
2. Breathe In, Sing Out: Music, Mindfulness & Fun for You and Your Little One. - on Monday mornings for 6 weeks.
3. Mindful Parenting - on Thursday evenings (starting in April) - for 6 weeks.

Full details to be posted on www.mindfulfamilies.ca in the near future.

Interpersonal Neurobiology
with Innovative Therapeutic Practices

Registration.
This breakthrough conference offers a full day with Dan Siegel as well as two days with prominent academics, practitioners, theoreticians, researchers and students in the field of mental health who are working at the intersection of neurobiology, mindfulness and innovative therapeutic practices.

This is an exciting period of transition as the field of mental health reconsiders and re-conceptualizes ideas about mental well-being and what constitutes identity. The field of Interpersonal Neurobiology enables us to understand that the function and structure of the mind and brain are shaped by both individual and social experiences. Faculty will provide cutting edge multidisciplinary views that further our understanding of the complex neurobiology of the human mind. They will offer a variety of clinical approaches and scientific viewpoints that are often inaccessible to clinicians. This conference will integrate the best of modern science with the healing art of innovative therapeutic practices.

Sara will be offering a workshop at the conference. "Twinkle, twinkle, Little Mind. Which Part will we Help you Shine? Mindfulness in Therapy with Children."

No Ordinary Apple: A Story About Eating Mindfully

Would you like Sara to come to your child/ren's school or community group to read No Ordinary Apple and share interactive mindfulness practices?

Before school ended last June, Sara had so much fun sharing her book with children at a number of schools in the GTA. Please email info@mindfulfamilies.ca to arrange a book reading and mindfulness workshop.

LIKE No Ordinary Apple on Facebook and help share mindfulness with children.

Click Here to view past newsletters.

Staying Connected with Gmail:

As you know, Gmail has implemented some new features that sort your email under Primary, Social and Promotion Tabs and our newsletter will not arrive in your primary inbox anymore unless you make the following easy adjustments:

To receive the Mindful Families Newsletter in your Gmail Primary Inbox:

1. Open up your Gmail and check that you have the NEW tabs set up at the top of the inbox.
2. Click on the PROMOTIONS tab folder and locate one of my previous newsletters (from Mindful Families). I sent you our last newsletter on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013.
3. DRAG IT to the PRIMARY tab folder.
4. A question should pop up and ask if you want to do this for future messages from me.
5. Click YES. This should add our emails to your Primary folder in the future.
6. Repeat this process for everyone whose mail you find in "Promotions" that you want to receive in your Primary folder.

Thank you for taking the time to stay connected!
(Thanks to Dr. Shari Geller for instructions on how to keep connected)

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