As the world begins to regenerate around us, we too can encourage growth and expansion within ourselves. We can choose to support ourselves by bringing light and warmth into our everyday through mindfulness practices. We can use this time of the year to get outside more and notice the beautiful changes in nature, draw in some morning movement perhaps, write in a journal, or begin daily practices to positively bookend morning and night.

Creating a garden of respect helps put things in perspective and allows you and your family members to take a step back and remember the simple things that are so important in life.

Through times of hardship and struggle such as what many of us are experiencing now, creating mandalas are a great way for kids and adults alike to focus their minds through this therapeutic activity.

Mindful family sessions can offer clarity and calm amid the chaos that family life will inevitably bring. We’ve just completed an OM:POP series with Family Support in Hammersmith & Fulham and can confirm that mindful practices deliver a sense of wellbeing even with a whole host of tiny tots in the room.

Once you have expanded your awareness back into the space where you are sitting or standing, notice whether there is a shift in your breath and/or your mood. Then remember that a mindful awareness practice, such as this yogic humming bee breath, can calm your nerves and release feelings of frustration, anxiety and even anger.

“It was magnificent in its simplicity and in its effectiveness in getting the little kids to focus on their breathing. It calmed them down and put them into a relaxed state in no time."

It was an honour to be invited to the announcement of the NSPCC’s Look, Say, Sing, Play campaign at the Fulham Central Children’s Centre, the first London Authority to launch the campaign. The event was attended by Leader of H&F Council, Stephen Cowan, and CEO of the NSPCC, Peter Wanless, Family Support Managing Director Peter Watt and stakeholders in Hammersmith and Fulham children's wellbeing.

We want to share some of the amazing creators, products and companies we came across at the Mindful Living Show, as it can be so helpful to have products and organisations in your life that can help with sleep, relaxation, meditation, yoga, anxiety and stress. There were many great exhibitors and groups, but here are a few of our favourites.

There are so many amazing products out there to help you and your family integrate yoga and mindfulness into your household routine, so we thought we’d put a collection together for you to consider! There’s no doubt you’ll have your little yogis learning the power of breath to relax and the joy of a Tree Pose for focus in no time! Not to mention, all of these gift ideas provide ideas for activities that are great for quality time and family bonding too. Enjoy! xo

Mindful Little Yogis is truly for everyone. The tips and guidance even work great for every day parenting situations such as calming down time before bed, times for when you want your child to “Please listen” and many other situations including for when you just want to bond and need fun activities to do!

A 4 Year Olds Mindfulness routine in Nursery- what you can learn from it and how to bring it into your own home.

When you feel the need for something to calm your child’s (or your own!) body and mind, then trying these few poses, or even just one, can help you to relax and unwind. They are also a great way to calm your children in certain times of the day, such as bedtime, when a gentle way to lower their levels of physical and emotional arousal is greatly beneficial. 

We love Yoga Pretzels as a mindful activity for children. Research shows that yoga benefits children greatly when it comes to easing stress, anxiety and pressure. It’s also a great activity they can do with friends and parents! Don’t take it from us, hear about it from them!

Mindfulness activity for kids: We love this activity that Greg Graber, Director of SEL and Mindfulness at Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis provided to us called, "Teddy Bear Belly Breathing."