FREE Parent & Tot Yoga Posted on October 2, 2018 by AspireNB Playfully integrating our minds, bodies & hearts Not sure about starting a yoga class with your little one? Here is a perfect way to try, for free! I will be leading a trial class at the library, once a month, in October, November & December. Parent & Tot Yoga is a 40 minute class for little ones and their families. I have very relaxed expectations for kids (and parents!) in this class and my focus is on having fun while learning! We will integrate many different skills & activities including games, songs, socialization, deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness, parent-child bonding, and of course practicing yoga! Who: Any children 5 & under and their guardian(s) When: First Fridays of October, November & December at 11:30AM Where: New Braunfels Public Library (call to pre-register) Why: Yoga means union, focusing on exercising body & mind at the same time. This class will also create stronger unions between parents & tots! PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! Please call the library at 830-221-4300 to register.
Parent & Child Yoga Posted on August 10, 2018January 18, 2019 by AspireNB Parent – Tot Yoga! Why yoga? Personally, I have experienced how yoga not only decreases my stress & reduces muscle tension, it also provides a space for me to focus on the present moment, my physical body, and its connection (or disconnection) from my mind and heart. Yoga creates a union between our body, mind & soul – and also helps us unite with others. Today, more than ever, I believe children need to experience presence, meditation, and community. The first time I did “yoga time” with my daughter, she said it was the best part of her day. For private family classes, contact me. To try out a general class, you can join me at Gypsy Waltz Yoga. I teach the little gypsies class at 11:00am every Friday. For more information follow the link to the Gypsy Waltz site here.
Building Boundaries Posted on August 1, 2018December 2, 2018 by AspireNB A supportive group for women interested in setting healthy boundaries. If you are a nurturer, a perfectionist, a workaholic, or a peacemaker, this group may be for you! You might be thinking, I’ve heard that word before. But, what really IS a boundary?! “A boundary is anything that helps to differentiate you from someone else or shows where you begin and end” (Cloud & Townsend, p. 35). In this group, we will explore our personalities, and learn basic boundary skills. This group is part support group, part psycho-education, and part book club. In my experience, most of the women I know have difficulty setting boundaries in one way or another. Together, we will learn what boundaries are, as well as when, where, and how they can happen, and the importance of setting boundaries. We will also explore our own needs and feelings around boundaries, supporting each other along the way. We will use the book “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend. Group sessions will follow this book in a purposeful manner, and will also include: Supportive & experiential group activities Accepting support & requesting feedback from your peers Meditation & relaxation exercises Healthy communication strategies SPRING 2019 Schedule: We will begin in February 2019 and end in November 2019. Groups will meet once a month, on Wednesday afternoons Group will meet for 10 months (10 sessions total) We will begin in February 2019 and end in November 2019. The cost is $50 per 2 hour session ($500 for all 10 months) Moms of New Braunfels discount accepted for all new/first-time members. To sign up or ask questions, please contact Gillian Amaro, M.Ed, LPC: 512-501-2597 Still unsure? Here are a few more excerpts from the book, regarding how boundaries affect us: “Each of us has different desires and wants, dreams and wishes, goals and plans, hungers and thirsts- but few of us are satisfied. One reason is that we lack the internal structure that boundaries provide to enable us to define and then take the specific steps necessary to reach our goals.” (p. 48-49) “We need to claim our hearts as our property and work on weaknesses, whether we are weak receiving, or weak giving, love. Doing so will open up life to us.” (p. 49-50) “Feelings, attitudes and beliefs, behaviors, choices, values, limits, talents, thoughts, desires, and love – all of these lie within our boundaries. We therefore need to take responsibility for all of these areas of our souls.”
Empowered Mothering Series Posted on April 26, 2018May 18, 2018 by AspireNB Coming Soon! Empowered Mothering Series at the New Braunfels Library *FREE* 2 part workshop series I am thrilled to host an upcoming series at the New Braunfels Library JUST FOR MOMS! As a counselor, wife & mother of 2, I definitely know the importance of self-care! This 2-part series will help you to better understand yourself, acknowledge & reduce your stress, learn new coping skills, and increase healthy communication- with your partner, your family & your children. This is a great opportunity to not only learn skills that will improve your emotional health, but experience & practice them. See below for more information! WHO: Any mother or female guardian of a child – and moms to be! WHAT: Self-care (June) & healthy communication (July) WHERE: New Braunfels Public Library WHEN: One hour sessions on Tuesday, June 5th & Tuesday, July 10th at 6 PM COST: FREE!!! Goals of June workshop (self-care) include: Learn the definition of self-care & at least one sign that you need more of it Learn how to assess your SUDS or “resting stress rate” Learn 3 simple ways to de-stress Experience short, relaxing guided imagery/meditation Name one person who can be part of your future self-care “team” Goals of July workshop (healthy communication) include: Learn how to assess your own feelings & needs authentically Experience what setting a boundary feels like Learn 3 basics of boundary setting Learn new ways to state your needs, without hurting loved ones Experience short, relaxing guided imagery/meditation Part 1: Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 6PM (self-care) Part 2: Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 6PM (healthy communication) Both sessions will last one hour. NOTE: Unfortunately, there will not be childcare available for these sessions. If you have any questions, please contact: Gillian Amaro, LPC-S 512-501-2597 amaro@aspireNB.com *** Gillian Amaro, LPC-S I believe that we, as individuals, can create joy, love, and purpose in our lives through authentic connection. I love empowering women, couples & teens to feel comfortable with who they are & gain insight about how they connect with others. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor & Supervisor and offer individual, family & couples sessions, as well as group therapy. My passion for counseling & healthy communication includes stepping out of the office to facilitate workshops and CEU trainings. *** 392 W. Mill St. New Braunfels, TX 78130 www.aspireNB.com Facebook: @AspireNewBraunfels Gillian’s profile on Psychology Today Aspire NB on Facebook
A Mother’s Heart Posted on November 25, 2014December 2, 2018 by AspireNB Empowering Mothers. Building meaningful connections. Raising wholehearted kids. You probably have heard the saying that being a mom is a bit like having your heart walk around outside your body. You may breathe more deeply, love more deeply, but you also worry more intensely. A Mother’s Heart is a support group just for moms, to connect & refuel in a purposeful way so that you can give your best self to your family, work & life. This group is for you if… You are a mom You have been asking for time to relax or renew your spirit but never take it You want to connect more deeply with a smaller group of moms You can commit to attending a 2 hour group session, once a month, for 10 months Over the “semester” of this group you will… BUILD connections with like-minded moms in a safe & supportive environment EMPOWER yourself to acknowledge your strengths and redefine your identity LEARN about positive parenting techniques & postpartum mood changes DISCUSS healthy communication techniques to use with your partner PRACTICE self-care skills, meditation & relaxation exercises A few more details…. Our next “semester” will meet once a month on Wednesday evenings. This is a closed support group, which means that once we begin, I will not let anyone new into the group. This allows for higher levels of confidentiality and safety. In addition, I keep groups small, with no more than 6 participants per group, so that I can wholeheartedly attend to each individual’s requests. This group is meant to support you through your first year postpartum- and build a close & connected village of mothers for you & your family. SPRING 2018 Schedule: Groups will meet once a month, on Wednesday evenings Group will meet for 10 months (10 sessions total) Each member will have access to a private forum to ask questions & express needs or celebrations between group meetings. This forum will be moderated by Gillian. We will begin in February 2019 and end in November 2019. The cost is $50 per session ($500 for all 10 months) Moms of New Braunfels discount accepted for all new/first-time members. To sign up or ask questions, please contact Gillian Amaro, M.Ed, LPC: 512-501-2597