The Meaning of Yoga: A Path to Self-Discovery and Transformation

Yoga is not just about moving your body into poses—it’s an intentional practice of expanding your mind-body awareness and exploring the depth of who you are. It invites us to see ourselves as the whole, beautiful beings we are, offering a path of transformation that can reveal possibilities you never imagined. With yoga, all things become possible.

At its heart, yoga is an action made with conscious choice. Each time you step onto your mat, you choose to meet yourself exactly where you are, with all your uncertainties, challenges, and hidden shadows. It’s a courageous act to turn toward these parts of yourself with an open heart and compassionate mind. Through breath and movement, connected as one, yoga provides a safe space to face those barriers, to navigate and adapt, and to grow into the person you are becoming.

This practice does not just stay on the mat. Yoga equips us with the tools to face life’s challenges off the mat. As we learn to approach obstacles with patience and resilience during our practice, we carry that confidence into the difficult moments in our daily lives, trusting that we can overcome them.

Yoga as a Tool for Connection and Awareness

Yoga’s healing properties go beyond the physical; they teach us to connect deeply with our ever-evolving bodies and minds. Through this connection, we build self-awareness—an essential step toward nurturing empathy and understanding for the world around us.

Life’s complexities—its joys and struggles—become easier to navigate when approached from a place of mindful compassion. Yoga helps us let go of rigid labels like “good” or “bad” and instead embrace the question: Does this serve me right now? For the things beyond our control, yoga invites us to respond with grace and peace, sending healing energy to the people, places, and situations that need it most.

The Power of Love Through Yoga

Above all, yoga instills in us the power to love. It deepens our ability to love ourselves with kindness and to extend that love outward to others. Through yoga, we cultivate a space within ourselves where our inner light can shine brightly. And as we radiate that light, we inspire others to do the same.

Yoga is not about perfection or achieving an ideal—it’s about embracing where you are, trusting the journey, and finding joy in the process. It’s a gift of transformation, resilience, and connection that leads us back to our true selves, time and time again.

What is Occupational Therapy? A Holistic Approach to Supporting Your Daily Life.

Occupational Therapy Is More Than a Profession—It’s a Mindset

Occupational therapy (OT) is not just about treatment; it’s a way of understanding people as a whole. OTs focus on helping individuals achieve their best selves by supporting them in their daily lives, no matter their circumstances. The work begins with one central question: How can I help you reach the best version of yourself?

This mindset sees each person as unique, with their own goals, challenges, and strengths. OT isn’t about fitting into a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s about carving a personalized path that helps individuals engage in meaningful activities in ways that work best for them.

What Is Occupational Therapy, Really?

At its core, occupational therapy helps people participate in the “occupations” of life. These occupations are not just jobs—they are the everyday activities that give life meaning and purpose. For a child, this might mean playing, learning, or socializing. For an adult, it could involve working, caring for a family, or managing household tasks.

Occupational therapists are experts in identifying barriers that prevent individuals from engaging in these meaningful activities. These barriers can be physical, emotional, sensory, or environmental. By addressing these obstacles, OTs enable individuals to live more functional, independent, and fulfilling lives.

A Functional and Holistic Approach

What sets occupational therapy apart is its holistic perspective. OTs don’t just treat symptoms or focus solely on physical recovery; they look at the whole person. This includes emotional well-being, sensory processing, environmental factors, and social support systems.

For example, an OT might work with:

• Children to build sensory and motor skills for better participation in school or play.

• Adults recovering from injury to regain independence in daily tasks.

• Expectant mothers navigating the physical and emotional shifts of pregnancy.

• Seniors adapting their environment to age safely at home.

The goal is always the same: to empower individuals to participate in their daily lives in meaningful ways.

Why Occupational Therapy Matters

Occupational therapy is about more than recovery or skill-building—it’s about connection, adaptability, and resilience. It’s a profession that’s as transformative for the practitioner as it is for the client. OTs never stop learning, growing, or being inspired by the people they serve.

When you work with an occupational therapist, you’re not just receiving care—you’re gaining a partner who believes in your potential and is committed to helping you thrive.

“You Steer, We’ll Be Right Here”

Whether it’s improving mobility, navigating a major life transition, or finding a new way to accomplish a cherished activity, occupational therapy is about creating opportunities for success. It’s a reminder that no matter where you are in your journey, there’s always a way forward—and you don’t have to do it alone.

So, the next time you hear about occupational therapy, remember: it’s not just a profession. It’s a mindset, a partnership, and a pathway to a more meaningful life.

Connecting Through Co-regulation: A Simple Guide for Parents on Nervous System Regulation

As parents, it’s essential to recognize how our nervous systems influence our emotions and behaviors, not only in ourselves but also in our children. Understanding nervous system regulation can help us support our kids in navigating their feelings and building meaningful connections.

What is Nervous System Regulation?

Nervous system regulation refers to the ability to manage emotional and physiological states effectively. When we’re regulated, we feel calm, present, and connected. However, when stress or anxiety hits, our nervous system can respond in one of three ways, as outlined in Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges:

1. Safe and Social: In this state, we feel calm and ready to engage. Our children are open to connecting and learning.

2. Fight or Flight: When faced with perceived threats, our kids may become anxious, irritable, or hyperactive, making it hard for them to connect.

3. Shutdown: If they feel overwhelmed, they might withdraw, becoming unresponsive or disengaged.

By understanding these states, we can better support ourselves in managing these emotions, in turn, impacting our children’s ability to manage their own.

The Importance of Co-Regulation

Co-regulation is the process of two individuals helping each other to regulate their emotions. In the context of parenting, this means that as we work to stay centered and present, we help our children feel safe and secure.

Secure, emotional relationships are built on trust, safety, and attunement, where both people feel valued, understood, and support. For children, this means having an adult who can calmy and consistently respond to their emotional needs, helping them feel safe, seen and heart.

Here’s how to foster co-regulation at home:

• Model Calmness: When you remain calm during stressful situations, you show your child how to navigate their emotions. Practice deep breathing or mindfulness together.

• Create a Safe Environment: Ensure your home is a supportive space where your child feels comfortable expressing their feelings without judgment.

• Engage in Physical Connection: Simple gestures like hugs, holding hands, or sitting close can provide comfort and reassurance.

While these strategies may seem straightforward, they aren’t always easy to implement. As parents, it can be challenging to offer the emotional connection your child needs when you're feeling overwhelmed. Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup.

Building a calm and connected relationship starts with ensuring that you feel safe and supported yourself.

To help you and your child foster a sense of safety and connection, here are some practical strategies to get you started on the journey toward nervous system regulation and co-regulation.

Practical Strategies for Parents

1. Incorporate Daily (or even weekly) Check Ins: Regularly check in with yourself to acknowledge how you’re feeling. Instead of judging or trying to change your emotions, take a moment to delve deeper into those feelings. Notice any physical sensations that arise in your body and identify where you specifically feel them. For example, if you feel excitement during a moment of reflection, pay attention to where that excitement originates and where you sense it in your body. Personally, I feel excited when I meet friends I haven’t seen in a while. During these moments, I often notice the excitement in my belly area. By simply noticing these sensations, you can learn to recognize your body's signals. Over time, this practice can help you understand what your body is experiencing and guide you in taking proactive steps before overwhelming feelings arise.

2. Practice Relaxation Techniques: Introduce activities such as yoga or simple breathing exercises into your routine to help manage stress. Practicing these relaxation techniques when you are calm can empower you to initiate them during more challenging moments. Your body will develop muscle memory for taking deep, effective breaths, making it easier to find relaxation when you need it most. Incorporating these practices into your routine not only promotes overall well-being but also equips you with tools to navigate daily stressors with greater ease.

3. Celebrate Every Step Towards Your Mountain: Acknowledge and celebrate small victories in your emotional regulation skills. Recognizing your own progress, no matter how minor, fosters in yourself a sense of achievement. It's also essential to remember that everyone makes mistakes. If you find yourself struggling with emotions or handling a situation differently than you intended, share that experience with your child. By showing them how you navigate difficult moments, you teach them that feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or frustrated is a completely normal human experience. This modeling helps them understand that there are constructive ways to cope with these feelings and take care of themselves moving forward.

When you create a sense of safety and calm within yourself, you become a safe space for your child.

Conclusion

By understanding nervous system regulation and the power of co-regulation, parents can create a nurturing environment that fosters connection, trust, and resilience. When children feel valued and supported, they are better equipped to face challenges and thrive in their daily lives.

Remember, it’s a journey—embracing each step with patience and love can make all the difference for you and your child.

Turn Mealtime Struggles into Food Fun: A New Approach for Picky Eaters

Food Play for Picky Eating

If you’re feeling frustrated or worried about your child’s eating habits, you’re not alone. Many parents of picky eaters struggle with mealtimes, wondering if their child will ever try—or even enjoy—new foods. The good news is that there’s a gentler, more playful way to approach this challenge that can help reduce mealtime battles and build your child’s confidence around food.

Let’s take the pressure off eating and focus on exploring food in a whole new way.

The Power of Food Play
We often hear “Don’t play with your food,” but what if play is exactly what your child needs? Just like kids learn their colors, shapes, and letters through hands-on, playful experiences, they can also learn to feel comfortable with new foods the same way.

For picky eaters, food can sometimes feel overwhelming or even scary. They might see a new texture, smell a strong scent, or touch something sticky, and their brain screams, “No way!” That’s because eating is a full-body sensory experience. For kids who struggle with with sensory difficulties, their body’s natural reaction might be to avoid it completely. Food play activities also help to desensitize the body’s sensory system. A new sense in the brain may be perceived as a danger and automatically trigger the a reaction from the body’s fight, flight, or freeze response.

Food play helps change that. By engaging your child’s senses—sight, touch, smell, sound, and eventually taste—you can help them build a positive relationship with food without the pressure to eat.

Why Picky Eating Is Hard (for You and Your Child)
If you’ve ever bribed your child with dessert or begged them to take “just one bite,” know that you’re not alone. You’re trying your best because you care deeply about your child’s health. But sometimes, these well-meaning approaches create more resistance and stress—for both of you.

Here’s the truth: learning to like new foods takes time, patience, and a willingness to meet your child where they are. It might seem like a slow process, but food play helps your child feel safe, curious, and in control. That’s when real progress happens.

Starting the Journey
Your child’s comfort level will guide the process. Some kids may only be okay with looking at a new food or having it nearby on a separate plate. Others might be willing to smell it or touch it with a fork. Over time, as they grow more familiar, they might feel ready to taste it—and eventually, enjoy it.

The key is to start small. Describe the food with curiosity: “This is a carrot stick. It’s orange, crunchy, and smells sweet. What do you think?” You’re modeling curiosity without pressure, which invites them to explore at their own pace.

Making Food Fun
Food play is about creating a relaxed, no-pressure environment where your child can interact with food in silly, creative ways. These activities are perfect for outside regular mealtimes, so there’s no expectation to eat—just to play and explore.

Here are some ideas to get started:

• Finger Fun: Let your child finger paint with pudding or yogurt, or squish wet foods through a Ziploc bag.

• Imaginative Play: Host a teddy bear picnic, create food scenes with action figures, or let them be the “head chef” while cooking with you.

• Sensory Adventures: Stack crackers, sort foods by color or shape, or let toy cars drive through cooked pasta or Jello.

• Interactive Games: Make food jewelry with Cheerios, create funny faces on plates, or hide foods under cups and play a guessing game.

It’s Okay if It Takes Time
Remember, this is a journey. Your child might not eat the new food right away, and that’s okay. Every step—from looking at the food to smelling it, touching it, and eventually tasting it—is progress.

When your child resists, reassure them: “We’re just playing with the food—you don’t have to eat it.” The most important thing is to stay relaxed and have fun. Turn on music, laugh together, and enjoy the moment.

By shifting the focus to play, you’re giving your child the tools to build a positive relationship with food. With time, patience, and a lot of love, you’ll start to see them exploring—and even enjoying—new foods on their own.

You’ve got this.

Unlock Your Child’s Potential: The (Not so) Secret Power of Pediatric Occupational Therapy for Sensory and Emotional Regulation

As a parent, you want your child to feel happy, connected, and capable in their daily life. However, if your child experiences sensory sensitivities or emotional overwhelm, navigating daily activities can be challenging. That’s where pediatric occupational therapy (OT) for sensory and emotional regulation comes in.

Occupational therapy (OT) is a client-centered health profession that focuses on helping individuals engage in meaningful activities, or "occupations", that enrich their daily lives. These occupations vary depending on age and life stage. For a 5-year-old, play is a crucial occupation, as it fosters development, creativity, and social skills. For adults, occupations might include tasks such as cooking, laundry, or going to work, which contribute to their independence and well-being. For older adults, participating in favorite activities—like a bingo game or gardening—can enhance their quality of life and maintain social connections.

OT for sensory and emotional regulation supports individuals—from as young as 2 years old to older adults—in understanding and responding to their sensory and emotional needs in ways that enhance daily life. By considering the whole person, OT focuses on strengthening skills and adapting environments to support each individual's unique needs, allowing children and their families to find joy and connection in their everyday lives.

What Is Sensory and Emotional Regulation?

Sensory regulation refers to how an individual processes and interprets sensory information from their environment and body. This can manifest as sensory sensitivity, sensory seeking, or low registration of sensory information. Each pattern affects how individuals interact with their surroundings.

For example, I once worked with a child who was sensitive to certain textures and disliked wearing specific clothing. Together, we explored various textures to find comfortable options that worked for him, enabling him to wear clothing without distress. Occupational therapy provides practical and compassionate strategies tailored to each individual's unique needs—there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Therapists work to create supportive environments that cater to these sensory preferences, allowing individuals to engage more effectively with their world.

Emotional regulation is equally important. It involves managing and responding to emotional experiences appropriately. Children (and adults) can learn to recognize their feelings, understand triggers, express emotions healthily, and control their reactions. Effective emotional regulation can improve relationships, enhance coping skills, and promote overall well-being.

This connection between sensory and emotional regulation is at the heart of my work.

How Do I Approach OT for Sensory and Emotional Regulation?

As both an occupational therapist and a yoga instructor, I take a holistic approach that combines traditional occupational therapy practices—like sensory integration, interoceptive awareness, executive functioning, enhancing daily life skills—with yoga-based techniques such as breathwork, body awareness, movement, and mindfulness. This blend offers powerful tools for supporting your child and family in regulating their nervous systems and fostering deeper connections with one another.

One memorable experience involved a young autistic student who had difficulty recognizing when he needed to use the bathroom. During what seemed like small moments, he often became overwhelmed, leading to meltdowns. To support him, we focused on body awareness techniques that helped him differentiate between the sensations of needing to use the bathroom and feeling hungry.

We started by asking questions to understand his experiences before attempting to provide solutions. This process involved a lot of trial and error. When we noticed signs of dysregulation, we began asking him what his body was feeling—comfortable or uncomfortable—and if there was any area that felt off. Most times, he would say his stomach. Sometimes, based on those cues, we would suggest going to the bathroom to help him link those feelings to possibly needing to use the restroom. Upon arriving, some days we found that it was exactly what he needed, while other days he didn’t actually have to go. When we returned to the classroom, we would offer him a snack, as his signals might have indicated hunger rather than the need to use the bathroom.

This journey highlighted that there is no quick fix; it takes time and trust to build interoceptive awareness—understanding our inner signals and responding appropriately to them. However, with patience and a supportive team, we learned what strategies worked best for him, ultimately fostering greater self-awareness and emotional regulation.

If you believe your child could benefit from occupational therapy for sensory and emotional regulation, I’d love to chat and explore how we can work together to support your family. Together, we can find ways to meet your child where they are and move forward with curiosity, compassion, and a little playfulness.