Christine Ristuccia , creator of the Learn With Yoga Cards line has been kind enough to take the time to answer a few questions for us and our readers. Both Belles had the pleasure of reviewing her Learn with Yoga ABC Cards for Kids and her Yoga for Small Spaces Cards on our blogs and are super excited to share her Q&A sessions with you!
Belles:
We have received a wonderful response on our blogs regarding your yoga cards-what inspired you to create these cards?
(You can read reviews of both sets on
Fitness For the Rest of Us
and
Huff & Buff
)
Christine:
I first created the ABC Yoga Cards for Kids, but realized that many speech language pathologists, and special education instructors have small working spaces. The yoga for small spaces is ideal for everyone regardless of the working space. Additionally, the poses in The Yoga for Small Spaces card deck can be used virtually anywhere; in your car, at your desk and even on an airplane!
Belles:
You currently offer two different sets of yoga cards, Yoga For Small Spaces and ABC Yoga Cards For Kids. Do you have any others on the horizon?
Christine:
We are in the process of possibly collaborating on a Yoga for Seniors Card deck.
Belles:
You are firm believers about the connection between yoga and learning. Can you expand on the benefits of yoga and the correlation between movement and enhanced learning?
Christine:
Some educators see signs such as shrugged shoulders, shallow breathing, cracking the neck or finger joints, incessant, nervous talking when working with students. We think that they are just messing around, however, students are anxious and do not have the tools to deal with the anxiety. Teaching proper breathing and incorporating yoga poses into the learning session can improve readiness to learn.
Yoga Is a Tool That to Treat Clients In A More Holistic Manner. Holistic health is a concept in medical practice upholding that all aspects of people’s needs , psychological, physical, social, and mentally should be taken into account and seen as a whole. When it comes to optimal learning and education,all of these aspect of the self are important.
Belles:
What advice do you have for parents, caregivers or teachers who want to incorporate more movement into the daily lives of children?
Christine:
Yoga poses can be used with the following activities:
- Acting out stories
- Story retell & asking the student Wh (Who, what, where, when) questions
- Spatial concepts and prepositions
- Following verbal directions
-
Vocabulary development and learning
Belles:
A common excuse for not exercising, in addition to not having the time, is not having the space. The Yoga for Small Spaces eliminates that excuse. What advice do you have for those that say they don’t have the time?
Christine:
Yoga is a form of exercise, but most importantly the MAIN difference between yoga and exercise is the utilizing the breath in a mindful manner. When the breath is used with movement, the autonomic nervous system in the body is stimulated in a relaxing way. Just simple breathing using deep inhaled and exhaled breaths can help with relaxation. This can be done in 1-2 minutes. It is free, quick and efficient. Many of the poses can timed for a period of 10-20 seconds. It doesn’t take long to feel the refreshed effects of the poses. The way you feel afterward, may be a motivator for some people
Thank you SO much Christine for taking the time to share your insights with us and our readers! Visit the Addriya website for more information on these wonderful yoga cards and to check out their other awesome products
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