Staying balanced during a time of transition requires both surrender and focus.

As we transition from the freedom of Summer to the more structured time of Fall, there is both a sense of letting go and the call for freshly directed action.

Balance is created with a healthy mix of both.

Truly living with this focused flexibility requires living in the present moment, which is where the potential for 'vital living' can be found. When vitality or passion is missing, when the joy and enthusiasm aren't there, rather than going through the motions, there are two simple, self-reflective questions to ask that may provide insightful direction -

1. Am I willing to let go?
2. Am I taking action that serves my sense of integrity?

If the answers don't provide immediate clarity, they may lead you into exploring deeper inner territory, which is where the most soulful and meaningful answers can be found...within.

Process-oriented bodywork & movement cultivates inner awareness that can help you move into this territory with grace and ease. It can create a profound release of the tension and stress carried from having challenging situations with no apparent answers.

Finding life's answers to support your personal path can be exciting and very rewarding. Establishing balance in the mind, as well as structurally in the body, can serve you well. As tension in the mind will lead to tightness and structural or postural imbalances in the body, addressing the mind & body, mindbody,  simultaneously can create the balance you're seeking.

I welcome the opportunity to help you find your answers to create greater balance during this seasonal time of transition. I also welcome the opportunity to help you address any conditions of discomfort in your body with Integrative Physical Therapy Services. Please feel free to reach my by phone at 678.431.7096.

Blessings,

Jann

© All rights reserved  Guided Motion_, LLC  2011

The new experiences of the fall brings a lot of excitement to our children and the entire household - but a lot of anxiety too.  New teachers, new students, different curriculum - possibly even a new school - can create change that is sometimes hard for children to embrace.  All of these changes can trigger behavior and emotions that lead to a challenging transition for the new school year.  The anxiety can be especially present with families whose child or children have special learning needs - those children who learn differently. 

While I was writing my master's thesis a couple of years ago, I came across a few simple strategies to support the educational needs of children.  In my continued work with children and families, I have found these strategies helpful with a variety of kids whose learning needs are different.  
 
"Structure" - most kids will adapt to the new school environment and understand what is expected of them even though the environment is different.  Providing reminders of schedule and rules for behavior will give comfort to those who have more difficulty generalizing from one environment to another.  As for afterschool, structure can't be emphasized enough!  If it works best for your child to have a snack and rest period right after school then stick to the schedule as much as possible.  Routine and familiarity with what is expected will serve as a calming force.

The structure and support for homework is a moving target.  Each year the demands for independence increase and the volume of work can be overwhelming.  It's likely that if your child learns differently, he or she may be receiving support at school.  I've found that as the child gets older, parental support is focused more on organizational skills and helping to find cues in their environment that will help them remember what is due, what needs to be turned in and how to plan for a project.  I often suggest that use of an "external brain" (someone to rely on, electronic reminders, color coded notebooks, etc.) is a perfectly acceptable strategy to keeping organized.  I don't know where I'd be without my electronic calendar and 15 minute reminders! 

Also important - take time to consider the child's "strengths" versus the "problems".  Use the opportunities to acknowledge a good effort and a job well done to demonstrate and provide examples of how the behavior or action could be replicated in other situations.   Remember, generalizing behavior can be very difficult for some children.

Work with your child's teacher to know when a transition at school is going to take place - so you can help prepare your child.  Try to give as much warning as possible with a brief and concrete description.  Try to avoid words that have double meanings or are vague.  Simple and to the point leaves less room for confusion.  Again, this changes to some degree as the child gets older.  Having a conversation about the schedule, changing classes, drawing a map to illustrate the child's route - and then having this conversation several times can help to provide comfort in knowing what to expect.