The Mindful Parents and Caregivers Program is a workshop for direct and extended caregivers of youth experiencing trauma. We work with parents, therapists, case workers, and individuals who serve in a social service context. This training is accredited through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for Continuing Education Units and focuses on building emotional awareness and regulation, self-care, stress reduction, and practical mindful communication techniques.

Yoga and Mindfulness have been shown, through extensive clinical research, to reduce chronic stress and to counter negative neurological effects of secondary trauma. Such training accentuates skills in present-time awareness, allowing greater facility in handling difficult situations.  Better self care directly correlates to an enhanced ability to provide care to others. 

Key skill areas

• • • Optimizing caregiver-youth/client communication
    • Reducing both caregiver and youth/client stress and anxiety
    • Incorporating mindfulness practices into the caregiver-youth/client relationships
    • Developing ongoing self-care and mindfulness skills.

Benefits

• Enhanced Effectiveness as Caregiver
• Greater Personal Wellbeing
• Stronger Emotional Capacity
• Reduced Stress
• Greater Ability to Meet Core Needs

Testimonials

CRN Parents:
What would you like to remember from today's workshop?
"To take the time to care for me! Breathe, Breathe, Breathe."
"A lot. Everything was useful. Loved it."
"To validate what my body is feeling."
"The position that helped my neck feel better."
"Being still / finding stillness in the midst of chaos."
"Breathing, focusing on my center."
"The process and skills used to tolerate uncomfortableness."
"Understanding my needs, getting those needs met, as well as my child's needs."
"That I can apply this 1-2-3 step process to all areas of my life."
"Better ability to check in with myself and my emotions. To share the exercises with my spouse and kids."
"All of the smiles on everyone's faces."

FSAT Parents:
What would you like to remember from today's workshop?
"To be in the moment when I am breathing, and being aware of my whole body."
"How to shake off stress."
"That you can use any of these skills during the day! And take 15 seconds 10 times a day."
"How to come out of anger and increase joy."
"To BREATHE. To noitce when stress seeps in, and to release."
"Stress release is AWESOME."
"That in every tense moment -- there is still time to breathe!"
"That my calmness can start the calmness in a tension-filled room."
"What stillness 'feels' like, the breathing and tension releasing techniques."
"To stay centered and improve my ability to feel comfortable in it."
"That even in a state of chaos, I can remain calm. And stay calm."
"To be grateful for the needs I do get met in a day instead of focusing on which ones weren't."
"That you have the ability within yourself to find a positive outcome, however small or insignificant."
"Thanks for reopening places I forgot existed!"
"Noticing the needs for myself and others."
"To check in more often about my needs and to think about others' needs when we are in conflict."
"To stop, notice, identify my needs, and evaluate how to meet them."
"Seeing my needs so I can meet the needs of my children."
"That life is experienced on all levels and there is something to learn with every aspect."
"To look at sensations, emotions, and needs from both people's perspectives and find a way to connect."
"Being mindful of what I reflect out to my kids in stressful situations."

Pioneer School Parents:
What would you like to remember from today's workshop?
"The sensations that felt great."
"The stillness between breaths."
"To breathe deeply always."
"To remember to determine the needs of parent and child at times of crises."

How can we improve today's workshop?
"Four sessions are not enough -- more sessions please."

To inquire about booking this 8 hour or 16 hour training at your agency, please contact jaime@streetyoga.org.

* Photo by Campbell Salgado Studio