Kids Get a Kick Out of Martial Arts

Balanced Living Magazine article by Michelle Martin, ED.S.

With proper instruction and a program that is grounded in Eastern traditions, martial arts offer many benefits in the development of a child's physical, mental and spiritual well being. While originally designed as a self-defense mechanism and form of physical combat, the most helpful martial art forms taught today promote nonviolence, physical and mental skills, and a holistic or spiritual approach to exercise. This is certainly different from what is often depicted in the movies or on television. Read more.

Fusion Movement; Build Core Strength-Beat Boredom and More

Balanced Living Magazine article by Michelle Martin, Ed.S.

Exercise has evolved dramatically in recent years, and “fusion” (or blending various modes of movement into one) is on the cutting edge, due largely to our mere human need to escape boredom, as well as the benefits of its effectiveness. Breaking from the traditional workout, an increasing number of fitness instructors are mixing and matching everything from ballet with boot camp, to yoga and dance with tai chi. Weekend warriors can take heed from the habits of professional athletes who have long known the value of cross training and look now to yoga and Pilates for core strengthening, a vital element to physical wellbeing Read more.

Good Food, the Key to Healthy Children; It's Easier Than You Think...

Balanced Living Magazine article by Stephanie Richards, R.D.,M.P.A

Children today are not as healthy as they were just 20 years ago. The decreasing nutritional value of food, coupled with its increased consumption, is creating serious health problems in our children. Youth obesity has doubled, juvenile diabetes is on the rise and serious diseases once reserved for adults – such as heart disease and high blood pressure – are taking root during childhood years. Not surprisingly, the Surgeon General reports that 70% of disease in the United States is diet-related. The good news is that the solution is contained within the cause – food. By reducing the consumption of unhealthy food, and bringing food of high nutritional value back into the diets of children, we can turn this situation around. Read more.

Healing the Roots of Addiction

Balanced Living Magazine article by Marilyn Wise, LICDC

Addiction is a condition plagued with the attachments of shame, judgment and secrecy. Those attachments carry energies that fuel addictive cravings and thoughts. Similar to the arcade game of trying to whack the bobbing heads of plastic gophers, many people will overcome one addiction only to have another pop up to replace it. However, when explored deeply, addictions also can offer opportunities to illuminate, empower and integrate our inner selves. Ultimately it may be easier to surrender our addictions if we stop condemning them and see them for what they are – possibilities for pointing the way to higher consciousness. Read more.

The New Camp Grenada

Balanced Living Magazine article by Michelle Martin, ED.S.

Summer camp for kids has come a long way since Alan Sherman's well-known tune “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (A Letter from Camp)” played on the radio. As bemoaned in the song's lyrics about Camp Grenada, junior campers in the “good old days” expected and endured such conditions as mosquitoes and bad food while earning independence and gaining new friendships as they learned how to swim, went on hikes and assembled any number of craft projects. While these activities are still mainstays in some of today's summer-camp offerings, the truly adventurous youngsters have many more options than were available back in the day. The online directory of camps and summer adventures called Kids Camps (www.kidscamps.com) lists 24,000 programs for children including 43 types of sports, 18 types of academic programs and 21 special-needs categories. Other types of camps focus on fine and performing arts, religion, nature and adventure. Read more.

Movie Review: Indigo Evolution

Balanced Living Magazine article by Michelle Martin, ED.S.

Indigo Evolution, a feature-length documentary by James Twyman, was released Jan. 28, 2006 in more than 350 churches and wellness and spiritual centers around the world. The attendance far exceeded expectations, demonstrating how interest in understanding the “Indigo phenomenon” has grown. Indigo Evolution illuminates the lives of children who are referred to as “Indigos.” The movie describes them as creative, eccentric and independent. Impatient with the status quo, these children possess a high degree of integrity and intuition. Many are both intelligent and gifted, often in the areas of art and technology, and some are said to bring healing gifts. Read more.