Mindfulness
Mindfulness (n.) – the ability to focus on one’s awareness in the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations and the environment around us.
Why is it Important?
Mindfulness includes being aware of one’s self (body awareness, spatial awareness, sensory awareness, awareness of surroundings, emotional state, etc). When most people think of Physical Therapy and achieving gross motor skills, the focus is on Movement. While Movement is essential to achieving gross motor and fundamental movement skills, Stillness is just as important. Before achieving success in functional, coordinated gross motor skills, one must be able to achieve balance in stillness and in movement. Many children (and adults) struggle a great deal with body awareness, spatial awareness, and self sensory regulation. This awareness is needed in order to appropriately and safely respond to our environment and surroundings.
Meddy Teddy is Here to Help!
Who is Meddy Teddy?
Meddy Teddy is an adorable, moveable, bendable, loveable teddy bear. He is familiar to some and new to others and he’s here to help you practice your Physical Therapy skills and help on your journey as a PT All-Star!!
Why is he here?
The children who have worked with Meddy Teddy in the past have responded very well to doing exercises with him. In a way, he’s kinda cooler than me….in a way!
How can he help?
The kids like to mimic Meddy Teddy’s poses and exercises. I will be posting pictures of Meddy Teddy doing different exercises, poses, challenges and activities each week that your child can do along with him. Encourage them to bring along a stuffed animal, toy or doll of their own. He is also here to add and, in a way, highlight mindfulness and stillness.
Meddy Teddy is ready for some closer to nature poses!
Yoga is a great way to connect the mind and body. The poses below are both easy to implement as well as impactful for children of all ages and adults alike. Use these as an activity to start the day, a redirection when needed, or a quick and simple way to break up the norm. Hold each pose for 10 seconds. The possibilities are endless…
Tree Pose
- Stand tall, with your feet together.
- Reach your arms out to the side.
- Move your right foot up your left leg turning your right leg out to the side as far as you feel comfortable.
- Raise your arms over your head.
- Repeat on the left side.
Owl Pose
- Stand tall with your feet together.
- Reach your arms out to the sides.
- Lean forward while lifting one leg behind you.
- Don’t forget to breathe.
- WHOOOO! WHOOOO!
- Hold the pose and repeat with the opposite leg.
Toadstool Pose
- Stand tall with your feet together.
- Reach towards the ceiling as high as you can with both hands.
- Slightly bend both knees and hold the position.
- Don’t forget to breathe.
Rabbit Pose
- Squat on the floor.
- Spread your knees as far apart as you can.
- Hop up into the air and repeat.
Bear Pose
- Start on your hands and knees.
- Lift hips up towards the sky by straightening your legs (hands remain on the floor).
- Let your head hang down.
- Make sure to breathe.
- Come out of position by lowering your knees back down to the floor.
Skunk Pose
- Start on your hands and knees.
- Make sure to keep hands under shoulders and knees under hips.
- Arch your back up towards the ceiling.
- Look towards your tummy with your head.
- Relax and Repeat.
Fox Pose
- Start on your hands and knees.
- Reach your left arm in front of you.
- Lift your right leg behind you.
- Hold.
- Repeat on the opposite side.
- Continue repeating on alternating sides.
- Make sure to breathe.
Porcupine Breathing
- Kneel on the floor.
- Touch your big toes together and spread your knees hip width apart.
- Round out your back if you’d like (think about sticking out your quills).
- Bring your head down to the floor while breathing out.
- Hands can go where they are comfortably relaxed.
Log Pose
- Lay flat on your back
- Rest your arms where they are comfortable.
- Breathe in and out and relax.