R.E.A.Ch™ Relaxation Education

A New Relaxation Education program by BodyLogique® Health & Learning,  helps parents & professionals support "Calm in the Classroom" & beyond.

Photo: BodyLogique.com

More and more children and teens of all ages & abilities are being affected by stress each day, with devastating results. The statistics are staggering:

In 2010 U.S. Spent $12 billion on troubled children and youth. Three quarters of them did not have needs met. (Rand Research)

In 2009, $9.6 billion was spent on antidepressant prescriptions in the U.S. alone, reported Intercontinental Medical Statistics (IMS).  (That rounds out to be about 200 million prescriptions.)

The percentage of children aged 5-17 using antidepressants was 1.4% in 1995 and this increased to 2.6% in 2005. 

In another study researchers are saying that they see evidence of depression in children as young as three years of age. (Health Central)

Recent studies show that, at any given time, as many as one in every 33 children may have clinical depression. The rate of depression among adolescents may be as high as one in eight. (Department of Health and Human Services)

Recent studies have shown that greater than 20% of adolescents in the general population have emotional problems and one-third of adolescents attending psychiatry clinics suffer from depression. (The Canadian Journal of CME)

More than 160,000 children skip school every day because they feel threatened by another student. (National Association of School Psychologists)

A report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates that, in the past year, one quarter (26.7 percent) of adolescent girls participated in a serious fight at school or work, group-against-group fight, or an attack on others with the intent to inflict serious harm. (SAMHSA) 

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 - 24 year olds (approx 5,000 young people) and the sixth leading cause of death for five - 15 year olds. (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)

The rate of suicide for this age group has nearly tripled since 1960, making it the third leading cause of death in adolescents and the second leading cause of death among college age youth. (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)

The worst part is, that even though children and teens (ages 8-16) are feeling more stressed, anxious and despondent,  many of the adults in their lives (about 88%) had no idea that their kids/students were stressed at all. (That means that only about 12% of adults are paying attention.)

Of the adults that are aware, lack of support and stress management education leaves them feeling a little lost and asking "How do we stop & reverse the trend ?"  

In July, 2012 Calm & Connected  was published to provide parents & educators with tools for sensory support and stress reduction for elementary age children in the classroom, at home and beyond. The book contains simple, practical, real-life tools, images, activities & games aimed at helping younger children begin to recognize stress & take their own empowering steps to minimize it. This book started out as a children's class and then a workshop I presented to a parent's group. At the time, I had not realized that it was only scratching the surface.

The rise in childhood depression & violence shows an urgent need to address the problem in a different way than we have been. The violence we are seeing is a symptom of bigger problems, ones that start early in childhood. Stress, anxiety, depression, violence and suicide do not just affect the child who is depressed or angry-but has a ripple effect on everyone they come in contact with. In order to give kids and teens the support they need, we, as parents & educators, need to address the problems at an early age and from the inside-out: not from the outside hoping our help sinks in.
  
In an effort to help address the growing need for 'Calm in Classrooms'-stress management support in schools and at home at every age- our 'Calm & Connected' children's program & book has been developed further into an expanded 4 module program called R.E.A.Ch™ - (Relaxation Education for Adults & Children.) 

This program is based on sensory & brain science, as well as the latest research on Mindfulness & Meditation. The 1 day live/blended learning course will be available to educators, parents & child professionals beginning on June 1, 2013. The distance version will be ready by the end of the summer-(just in time for "Back to School!)

The four R.E.A.Ch™ Relaxation Education modules are:

Calm & Composed-for adults age 17 and up
Calm &Connected-Children age 5-11
Calm & Confident-Teens age 12-16
Calm & Creative- Art-based Relaxation Education for all ages

A shorter, modified version of this training, specifically for educators, "REACh Schools: Calm in the Classroom" will also be offered to local schools, therapy groups and non-profit agencies.

This is not just a stress-management course that teaches you "cushioning" (external) techniques after the stress pattern has taken root-it takes you through the science of and anatomy of stress and shows you how to address it from the inside-when & where it actually begins - to the outside-where we finally see its physical symptoms. It gets addressed from every possible angle-not just one or two. It gives you-the parent/educator, the tools to pass on to the child, so they can manage their own emotions and situations as they experience them.

More details, fact sheets and a syllabus will be available June 1, 2013 on our main website. (Check the calendar page often for updates.)

To learn more about the program and schedule, please visit: BodyLogique Health & Learning  

If you or your administrators are interested in hosting, sponsoring or scheduling this training-either the live (blended) workshop or the distance program, please contact Barbara at: 215-257-3193, with your name, your organization/schools' name and location (city/state). 

(Or e-mail: bodylogique.info@gmail.com )

*NOTE: Although this program has been an effective complementary support for improved concentration, and reduced stress and anxiety, for children or adults who are under a medical or mental health professional's care, we highly recommend continuing to follow the prescribed  treatment plan. This program is non-medical and not meant to replace professional/medical treatment. If you are not sure if it is right for you, please consult your primary doctor or specialist.

For other Questions Contact: bodylogique.info@gmail.com 

 For More child stress statistics visit:  ChildStress.org


Related Articles:


Promising Research on Meditation in Schools (Edutopia)

Sleep Cycles and Rebooting Your Brain with Meditation (Psychology Today)

The Human Brain & Stress (Franklin Institute.edu)

Autism Linked with Stress Hormone Levels (Science daily)

Adolescent Stress Linked to (Severe) Adult Mental Illness (Science daily)

The Senses, Stims & Stress (Smart Kids/ Health y Kids)

Improving Body Awareness Keeps Kids Calm & Connected (Smart Kids/Healthy Kids)

Self Calming in the Peace Garden (Guided Imagery)

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