PARENTING - THE FOCUS FOR TERM 2
Our new courses this term are focussing on parenting – we are offering several seminars and workshops, so book early to avoid disappointment!

“…imagine how different the world would be if it was the norm to learn the skills of parenting and being in relationships with others. How absurd is it that we don’t prioritise learning these skills to navigate these most vital areas of our lives – the foundations of our own happiness and of everything else in our society.”

“…all parents at some stage face the different challenges that raising kids involves. For some more than others it can even be a time of struggle… so many situations can at times transform the most amazing time of our lives into a dreadful one.”

“…learn how to guide your children to be motivated by their core values, interest and compassion, not fear and temporary submission. Empower children to come up with solutions that work for them and you.”

On Friday 15th May, 6.00-7.00 pm, Raquel will present It Takes a Village. This is a fantastic new community network in which families help and support each other. It has been created out of the idea that it really does take a village to raise a child and life is easier when you are part of a network of friends and family.

As our lives have become increasingly busy, with lots of families living far from home in different cities or countries, many people miss out on the support, help and fun of being part of a community. And so, we created It Takes A Village - a community that is like a family in which people are there for each other. One of the most exciting things about the village is that members can call on each other for help when they need a hand. Whether it be taking a dish to a new Mum, helping someone to get on top of their household chores, lending a hand in the garden while the children play or babysitting for one another, there is nothing you can’t ask for and there is nothing you have to do. Sometimes just a phone call is perfect.

We all need help in different ways at different times. You can do as little or as much as you choose and there’s nothing too big to ask for - you never know, someone may be able to help. And most importantly, the Village is about being friends. Friends who are connected, friends to help out, friends to just hang out with. Everybody wins!

We would like to extend an invitation to the wider Perth community to be part of our Village and join in all the fun! Currently we have families that have joined our network all around Perth as well as Bunbury, Busselton and Denmark. Check out the courses page for session details.

On Tuesday 12th May between 7.00-9.30 pm there will be a free Art of Relating Parenting session (3 yrs through to adolescence). The facilitator for this informative and interactive session will be Ranka Joyce, an accredited Parent Effectiveness Training facilitator and marriage educator who has recently been to the US to do further training. If you:

• Ever feel guilty because you hear yourself sounding just like your parents in times of family conflicts, something you promised yourself would never ever happen?
• Find that you spend endless time in negotiation with your children, but nobody seems happy with the outcome?
• Experience that when you win an argument with your children, you are happy with the outcome for a while, but the children are so miserable that you start feeling guilty and finally give in and then you feel upset because your needs didn't get met?
• Experience that if you let the children get their way (because as a child you rarely got your way with your parents), you become increasingly resentful of them, but the children still don't seem happy and they only want more from you?

If you recognise yourself in some of these reflections, do come and empower yourself with new skills of Active Listening or Mirroring, Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution and explore ways of making your family a loving, rewarding, enjoyable and safe place to be for all. If you enjoy the session, you can choose to enrol in the 8 week Parenting Course starting 19th May at 7 pm in the Centre. Check out the courses page for session details.

based on “Giving the Love that Heals” by Dr Harville Hendrix. FREE “PARENTING POTENTIAL” SEMINAR (Valued at $39.95 p/p) Thursday May 14th 7.00–9.30 pm

Can an evening change your life? This one can! Successful relationships and parenting don't just happen. We all need to learn the skills to do it! This Seminar is both an Introduction/Taster to the “Born to Love” Workshop for parents, educators or anyone who has anything to do with children! This workshop is packed with information, tools and skills. Areas covered include:

• Why you relate the way you do and how to act differently – as a parent and a partner.
• How to change the way you express yourself so that your partner and children can understand you.
• How “conflict is growth trying to happen”.
• How to transform your frustrations and conflict into both people getting their needs met.

Recommended for all parents, parents to be and those who work with children. Presented by qualified associates on behalf of Shelton Huettig (Marriage and Family Therapist) and Susie Itzstein (Psychotherapist and Educator). Imagine how different the world would be if it was the norm for everyone to learn how to be a parent and how to be in relationships… How absurd it is that our society doesn't prioritise learning skills to navigate these most important journeys…

Thank you for being willing to learn! Email or phone on 0422 328 677 for more information. You can also read more on their website. Tell your friends! Enrol through the office at the Learning Centre, 9271 4461. We hope to meet you there! If you enjoy the session, you can chose to enrol in the two day workshop to be held at the Learning Centre on 6-7th June. NB This workshop is a fundraiser for the Centre. Check out the courses page for session details.

Come and experience a holistic approach to yoga, whereby each class incorporates postures, breathing techniques, deep relaxation and meditation by a qualified teacher. Classes are suitable for beginners.

Term 2, 2009 dates
Monday nights 7.00-8.30 pm, 4th May — 22nd June (8 wks) (Class will be held on the public holiday on May 1st)
Classes will be held at: Old Church Building Cnr of Tyler and Cape Streets, Tuart Hill (Parking is available around the building)
Class fees: Term $88 or $13 casual per class

*********Special Offer*********
Enrol for the term with a friend and each save $10 off the term fee. To enrol or request further information, please call 9272 6475 or 0411 421 625. Or email .

A First Yoga Class Information Sheet has been compiled for those of you who may be interested in attending a Yoga class in Term 2 at the Mount Lawley Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

What is Yoga?
“Yoga” means the experience of oneness or unity of the whole of the human being – the physical body, the mind and its mental components, the feelings or emotions, and the energy which makes the whole being function. As all parts begin to function together more and more closely, then the inner harmony, peace, contentment or happiness arises more easily.

There are many styles of hatha yoga… the style being taught at the Centre is called Satyananda Yoga which is a holistic approach incorporating postures, breathing techniques, deep relaxation, meditation and sound in each class.

Different practices are used to work with the different facets of the human personality, so a Satyananda style class contains the following components:

Initial relaxation
Asanas – gentle, strengthening and dynamic movements stretching the muscles, massaging the internal organs and toning the nerves throughout the whole body to improve the health of the practitioner. Many problems and diseases can be eased or even eliminated.

Pranayama – techniques for balancing and increasing the vital energy (prana) which drives all systems. The breath is used as a vehicle to work with the prana. The state of the breath and the state of the mind are closely connected so balancing the breath helps bring balance, quietness and calmness to the mind.

Meditation practice – once the physical body has become relaxed and still, and the mind becomes calmer and quieter, then that is a time when it is possible to look more deeply within the mind to see the more subtle components – to learn to know ourselves better and to be able to constructively direct our energies with the flow of our strengths, ambitions and needs, and to work with our weaknesses.

Yoga nidra (deep relaxation) – with the physical body lying on the floor, the mind is directed through a series of instructions to help it to become quieter, thus bringing calmness, quietness and harmony to the body and mind. It has been found that half an hour of Yoga Nidra is equivalent to 2 to 4 hours of good, deep sleep, helping the body and mind return to the relaxed state and to let go of the stress of everyday living as it exists at present.

Further information about Satyananda Yoga is available at their website.

Benefits of Yoga?

• Increased awareness of the inter-relationship between body, mind, breath and spirit.
• Encourages flexibility, strength and good posture.
• Invigorates the functions of the body, including the circulation, digestion, nervous and immune systems.
• Aids in the relief of stress, tensions and anxiety by creating harmony and well-being.
• By steadying the emotions and calming the mind, the practice of yoga can bring a sense of perspective and freedom to life leading us towards peace and inner strength.

To Gain Maximum Benefit From Classes:

• Wear loose comfortable clothing, no jewellery and leave all electronic equipment (including mobile phones) switched off.
• Please bring a folded blanket or towel and a pillow to class. (Should you have a yoga mat, please bring it.)
• Be early to class – yoga is meant to reduce stress, not increase it!
• Yoga is best practiced on an empty or nearly empty stomach.
• If there is a medical problem or disability of any sort please inform the teacher before class.
• Yoga is a practice of awareness of one’s own capabilities and limitations at this moment… do what is right for you without straining at all.
• Relax into a practice and stretch without straining the physical muscles, lungs or mind. To work with the physical body and to listen to its messages and signals is to improve physical health, flexibility and strength over time.

Enjoy the practice!

There is the opportunity to come and try out a class on Tuesday evenings in Term 2 and pay a casual rate so if you are interested, please refer to the Yoga course details to register your interest. Bookings are essential as places will be limited!