In this episode I interview Dr. Amy Saltzman. Dr. Amy is recognized as a visionary and pioneer in the domains of mindfulness for athletes, coaches, and other high performers, as well as for kids, teens, parents, teachers. Dr. Amy offers mindfulness coaching and holistic medical care to children, adolescents, their parents, and professionals. Before moving to Santa Barbara, she worked with employees and exces from Apple, Google, Stanford, Square, Genetech.
When I was looking for ways to teach mindfulness to children A Still Quiet Place: A Mindfulness Program for Teaching Children and Adolescents to Ease Stress and Difficult Emotions, by Dr. Amy Saltzman was one of the first books I read. Her book provided me with evidence on the benefits of mindfulness and step by step tools for how to teach it in a way easily understood by children. After falling in love with her curriculum and the results I was seeing with my clients, I went on to complete her 10-week online practicum. I still use her curriculum in the mindfulness groups that I lead today.
Here are some of the topics we cover in this episode:
I highly recommend checking out some of her other work:
A Still Quiet Place for Teens: A Mindfulness Workbook to Ease Stress and Difficult Emotions
Still Quiet Place: Mindfulness for Young Children
Still Quiet Place: Mindfulness for Teens.
This 10-minute meditation practice explores the awareness of the breath and body sensations as a means to anchor you into the present moment. It can be used any time of day, whenever you need a moment of stillness to reset and connect back to your body with this breath in this moment.
I was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Denise Druce, who is someone I have looked up to both personally and professionally. Denise is the director of Yoga Assets, where I received my yoga training. Denise’s non-profit, Yoga Forward, is now taking yoga, “where it isn’t.” One of these places, which she highlighted in her TEDx Talk, is the Utah State prison. Whether you consider yourself a “yogi”, novice, or not sure what all this fuss with yoga is all about, I invite you to listen. Denise speaks to the power of looking to our wounds and the places in our lives where we have experienced pain as places to serve and heal. The ripple effect of positive change she is creating, not only in the prison system but also in the community, is inspiring.
Here are some of the topics we cover:
About Denise
For nearly four decades, Denise Druce has been inspiring people to live healthier, happier lives. She calls herself an Elevator…when you’re around her, you’re going up! Denise has taught a wide variety of fitness classes over the years, from step to indoor cycling to her current and lasting love, yoga. She teaches her students to stand at the “Soft Edge of the Hard Place” in fitness and in life. Her non-profit Yoga Forward is “taking yoga where it isn’t”…prisons, shelters, schools, and shopping malls. She has a Masters Degree in Public Health, is a Yoga Alliance E-RYT500, and is a breast cancer Thriver. She spends most weekends on the road, making the world a better place by getting more people trained to teach yoga everywhere. Denise and her husband, Michael live in Salt Lake City with their three boys.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, my perspective continues to evolve. There are times that I have felt tremendous gratitude, connection, presence, and other times of sadness, fear, and loneliness. I’ve started to contemplate the things in my life that I really do have control over. It might have taken an earthquake (and more than enough aftershocks) in the midst of a pandemic to realize how little control I do have. One foundation that I keep coming back to that has given me stability is my mindfulness practice. I can’t change what will happen but I can choose how I respond. I’m also reminded of the resilience that each of us has within us. No matter what our age, we can overcome obstacles and find joy despite our trials.
When it comes to the power of resilience, I knew exactly who I wanted to interview! Em Capito LCSW, MBA, RYT might argue that we find meaning in life in spite of our trials. Em is an unconventional psychotherapist specializing in holistic mind-body resilience, in particular through intentional discomfort, highlighted in her recent TEDx talk on Resiliency Field Trips. Em is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a certified LifePower yoga teacher, and a Dharana Method meditation teacher with a private practice in South Jordan.
I invite you to listen to my interview with Em: Building Rock Star Resilience. Em will guide us on how we can navigate this time with a “hero’s journey” mindset. My hope is that you will also realize how far you have come, how resilient you truly are, and the innate wisdom you already embody.
Here are a few of the topics we cover in the interview:
Also, I would highly recommend watching Em’s TEDx talk linked below!
To resilience in the midst of COVID chaos!
with Cathryn Lokey, MS/Ed.S
It is March 2020 and we are in the middle of a pandemic. These are particularly challenging times, for all of us, there is no question.
I cannot think of anyone more appropriate than Cathryn Lokey, MS/Ed.S, to dive into this complex topic with me. Cathryn worked as a school counselor for 12 years where she designed and implemented an innovative school-wide guidance and counseling program with a foundation in mindfulness. Cathryn recently gave a talk for the TEDxFSU conference, in which she spoke about her passion for children, the importance of compassion, and the vital need for courageous approaches to solving current social problems. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Learning and Cognition at Florida State University and conducting research on children’s perceptions of mindfulness and their experiences of its practices.
Discussion points
Tools for Individuals with Autism & Related Disabilities
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”- Jon Kabat-Zinn
“Mindfulness is paying attention in the here and now with kindness and curiosity so that we can choose our behavior.” – Dr. Amy Saltzman
Discussion Points:
To learn about our Mindfulness classes click HERE