funke.futures

☀️ Morning Affirmation ☀️

Today I look for and appreciate the good in everyone and everything.

What are you focusing on today? This week? This month?

Particularly in these times where tighter restrictions are imposed on us all across Europe and there remains much uncertainty as to how and with whom we will be spending Christmas, it is even more important that we focus on what we can control, as opposed to all the things out of our control.

This is one of the affirmations which I read out loud to myself and which is part of my routine - valuable time I dedicate each morning to my and as soon as I open my eyes (and before I look at my phone or open my laptop). It helps me to get into the right frame of mind before I start my day.

How do you start your mornings? I'd love to hear from you...let me know in the comments below.

Thank you for introducing me to the Miracle Morning all these years ago and for gifting us and beautiful Art of Affirmations Colouring Book which I often use with the teens I work with.

💙❤💛💚

Join me tomorrow morning st 9am UK/10am CET.

Get rid of the niggles and stiffness and start off the weekend feeling fresh and amazing.

DM me for details A few spesces left.

🌍 C O N N E C T I O N 🌍

This evening at the Teen Yoga Online Summit we heard from teenagers across the world – UK, US, Spain, Australia and Soweto, South Africa – who shared their experience of yoga and how it has helped them to navigate the teen years with issues such as mental health, body image, discrimination, neurodiversity.

What was touching was that in this year of Covid, yoga for many has helped them feel connected, it has provided an opportunity to come together in a group, share yoga with others and relate to each other.

I was very proud to have one of my students, Max (15) on the panel. Max has been coming to my yoga classes for almost 2 years now. Here’s what he said about tonight’s session: “

I absolutely loved this experience, having teen yogis from all around the world in one chat really showed how this year has managed to unite us all together, and make us able to share our thoughts on one of the most important parts of our lives- our mental state of mind”

In our gear...and we loved meeting , a junior teacher with the most creative Xmas jumper (tree) 🎄outfit.

Combination Dance Company

We are on our way for our 2nd Silent Disco & Yoga fun and festive session with the Year 8 Girls. 👭🎄💃💕🧘‍♀️🌟

❤ Yoga with Dad in Sweden ❤

Here's what he had to say:

"Today I had my very first yoga session. Until now I assumed that yoga is no longer suitable for a "grandpa".

But I learned this isn't the case.. yoga is for everyone. Today we did some breathing techniques with the corresponding body movements.

As I have been suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for many years, my doctor told me just 2 weeks ago that correct breathing is a very important part of living well with this chronic illness.

I am already looking forward to our next yoga session! "

🚀 DAY 2 of the TEEN YOGA Summit 🚀

Don't miss these fabulous speakers:

who speaks about Mentsl Health and the Menstrual Cycle

the first Head of Yoga who introduced yoga to his whole school.

And I am thrilled 🚀 to lead a breakout session in the afternoon where we share our experiences of teaching yoga during Covid.

Are you joining ?

PS: Anyone recognise theyogi on the cover?

🚀 DAY 2 of the TEEN YOGA Summit 🚀

Don't miss these fabulous speakers:

who speaks about Mentsl Health and the Menstrual Cycle

the first Head of Yoga who introduced yoga to his whole school.

And I am thrilled 🚀 to lead a breakout session in the afternoon where we share our experiences of teaching yoga during Covid.

Throwback to a beautiful memory in April 2018 when I did my week-long Teen Yoga teacher training in the beautiful and sunny town of Orgiva in Andalucia (can you spot me on the rooftop?) ☀️

Over the years I got more and more involved with the as the topic of adolescent mental health is something close to my heart being a mother of two teenage daughters.

I'm in my second year of supporting the foundation as a proud trustee and am hugely excited about the TEEN YOGA SUMMIT, our annual event, which kicks off TODAYA

7-13TH DECEMBER 2020

The event brings together leading yoga teachers to showcase their specific areas of expertise, from mental health, philosophy, stress management, yin yoga and anatomy for young athletes to name a few. We will share what's been happening in the world of schools, government, research and projects, and of course welcome back our Panel of Teens for a Q&A, the highlight of every conference.

There will also be a breakout session to share our learnings and successes from 2020 facilitated by "yours truly" 😉

We'd love to see you there! if you're a:

📍PARENT
📍HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL
📍YOGA TEACHER
📍SCHOOL TEACHER
📍OR ANYONE WHO WORKS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

The event is FREE and we welcome donations. Still time to join and all sessions will be recorded!

Wishing everyone a Happy St Nicholas Day🎄❤🎄

In Germany we celebrate the 6th December "Nikolaustag" and it's where children (of all ages) receive small gifts, chocolates and sweets.

Getting into the festive spirit 🌟. No tree yet 😉

What are your traditions around this day?


🙄

🧠 BRAIN & BODY HACK 🧠
FOR GREATER HAPPINESS

Did you know that the simple act of smiling 😀😁😂 – EVEN IF you have to fake it – generates positive emotions and raises your mood?

Yep, smiling can trick your brain into happiness, simply by how you move your facial muscles. When your muscles say you’re happy, you’re more likely to experience the world 🌍 around you in a positive way 🌈.

And here’s the science around this:
When you force your facial muscles into a smile - by holding a pen ✏ between your teeth like this (make sure it's sanitized!) -  it stimulates the amygdala, the emotional brain 🧠 centre, which releases neurotransmitters to encourage a positive emotional state.

Crazy right? So like the old saying “Fake it ‘til you make it.”

Could tricking your mind into happiness be a simple antidote to help us get through these extraordinary times of the pandemic where optimism doesn’t always come easy?

Try it for yourself next time when you’re feeling low, sad, lonely, stressed, anxious, overwhelmed and notice how much better you feel and how much more productive you will be.

Start your school or work day by putting on a happy smiling face 😁😂😀...EVEN IF you don’t feel like it! ✅

Thanks for your wonderful video demonstrating this. Puts a smile on my face every time ! 😉