Teen Karma Yoga
We are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of kids, teens, and high school athletes.
Namaste’ ... Marie
The Bodhi Tree
We are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of kids, teens, and high school athletes.
Namaste’ ... Marie
To be inspiring, one must be inspired!
I feel blessed to have taught so many who reflect a spirit and presence that inspired me to be more.
My most powerful teachers are my students! I am honored to have walked in this life with them.
Namste',
Marie
I feel blessed to have taught so many who reflect a spirit and presence that inspired me to be more.
My most powerful teachers are my students! I am honored to have walked in this life with them.
Namste',
Marie
Inspiration that changes lives
The following article was in The Sheboygan Press on Friday May 28. The article talks about the program I designed and launched for at risk teens (STARS) - "Teaching teens the power of yoga in their lives."
Sheboygan Press staff
When Katrina Woltring first met the students in her yoga class, she could tell they weren't sure what they were getting into.
"Initially, they all came into it wearing jeans and shoes and some of them had their iPods," Woltring said. "I think they were a little hesitant."
These weren't your ordinary yoga students. The eight teen girls in the half-hour Thursday class are part of the Stars program, a life-coaching and mentoring program for at-risk teen girls ages 12 to 17.
And yoga was a brand-new experience for them.
Jessica Schaal, 15, didn't think she'd participate at all when she stepped into her first class. It just looked silly.
"I didn't really like it at first," said Schaal, a student at Riverview Academy. "I could've not (participated) if I didn't really want to, but I decided to give it a chance. It clears my mind ... and gets rid of a lot of stress. It helps a lot."
The Stars yoga class is an experiment begun by a veteran yoga instructor with a history of teaching teenagers, and then handed off to the Yoga Loft in Sheboygan, which is keeping it going.
Woltring, 27, who has been a yoga instructor for two years and a practitioner for eight, said she was glad to take on the challenge of helping girls learn how to focus their minds and create a better life for themselves.
"It's definitely adding to my experience," Woltring said. "Not only as an instructor, but it's benefiting me in a way that I can learn from them. I'm slowly introducing them to meditation, just the idea of meditation -- basic practices where they can easily transfer from fight-or-flight into a more controlled mindset where they can kind of let everything go."
And through the poses, the stretching and the quiet reflection, that message is hitting home.
"I was getting truancies and not behaving in school," said Brittany Hill, 15, of how she ended up in Stars. "I just didn't like anybody or school or anything. I think (yoga) is really calming and relaxing. It takes away all your anger, makes you calm... In that moment of relaxation you just forget about everything."
Marci Tousey, owner of Yoga Loft, said she was more than willing when the original yoga teacher, Marie Friedlander, asked her to house the program.
"For this population of teenage girls who are looking for a different outlet, (yoga is) actually perfect," Tousey said. "(It teaches) self-confidence, what to do when you're stressed out, when you have no place to turn to. There are a lot of different coping techniques and really practical things that you can do immediately."
Yoga is about putting everything else aside and focusing only on what's going on right at the present moment. And that's a tough concept for teenage girls, Woltring said.
"One of the first things I said to them is to put the ego aside and not feel pressured to do anything I say," Woltring said. "But also they need to be aware that no matter what's going on in the room, it's all about them, what's going on inside them."
Cassandra Jentsch, 15, came to Stars after a particularly troubled time in her life that landed her in the hospital. The program, which includes a whole menu of activities, from fun things like bowling to job skills coaching and group therapy, was a lifeline for her. And yoga is fitting right in.
"I'm experiencing more things and it's making me realize there's more to life than what I had before," said Jentsch, a student at Oostburg High School. "Yoga's very relaxing. Emotionally, I go in maybe feeling not so sure about myself, but when I come out and I do all those poses, it builds my confidence. I'm like, 'I can do things.'"
Lorrie Ruiz, the director of Stars, said the purpose of yoga fits right in with what the girls in her program need.
"I just thought their stress levels are always high and a lot of the kids in the program aren't used to structure, and I thought getting them used to some things like this would just help them with their relaxation and things like that," Ruiz said. "Some nights are better than others. But overall I think they're seeing the impact that it has on them, that it can help."
Woltring said she has seen the girls embrace yoga and what it can do for them.
"I don't know what they did prior to coming to me," she said. "I don't know if there are other variables involved in what they wear. They're definitely coming prepared, working with what they've got.
"I'm very impressed with that -- with how seriously they're taking it," Woltring said. "I'm very proud of them. If nothing else, they've opened their mind to the idea of yoga and meditation."
The following article was in The Sheboygan Press on Friday May 28. The article talks about the program I designed and launched for at risk teens (STARS) - "Teaching teens the power of yoga in their lives."
Sheboygan Press staff
When Katrina Woltring first met the students in her yoga class, she could tell they weren't sure what they were getting into.
"Initially, they all came into it wearing jeans and shoes and some of them had their iPods," Woltring said. "I think they were a little hesitant."
These weren't your ordinary yoga students. The eight teen girls in the half-hour Thursday class are part of the Stars program, a life-coaching and mentoring program for at-risk teen girls ages 12 to 17.
And yoga was a brand-new experience for them.
Jessica Schaal, 15, didn't think she'd participate at all when she stepped into her first class. It just looked silly.
"I didn't really like it at first," said Schaal, a student at Riverview Academy. "I could've not (participated) if I didn't really want to, but I decided to give it a chance. It clears my mind ... and gets rid of a lot of stress. It helps a lot."
The Stars yoga class is an experiment begun by a veteran yoga instructor with a history of teaching teenagers, and then handed off to the Yoga Loft in Sheboygan, which is keeping it going.
Woltring, 27, who has been a yoga instructor for two years and a practitioner for eight, said she was glad to take on the challenge of helping girls learn how to focus their minds and create a better life for themselves.
"It's definitely adding to my experience," Woltring said. "Not only as an instructor, but it's benefiting me in a way that I can learn from them. I'm slowly introducing them to meditation, just the idea of meditation -- basic practices where they can easily transfer from fight-or-flight into a more controlled mindset where they can kind of let everything go."
And through the poses, the stretching and the quiet reflection, that message is hitting home.
"I was getting truancies and not behaving in school," said Brittany Hill, 15, of how she ended up in Stars. "I just didn't like anybody or school or anything. I think (yoga) is really calming and relaxing. It takes away all your anger, makes you calm... In that moment of relaxation you just forget about everything."
Marci Tousey, owner of Yoga Loft, said she was more than willing when the original yoga teacher, Marie Friedlander, asked her to house the program.
"For this population of teenage girls who are looking for a different outlet, (yoga is) actually perfect," Tousey said. "(It teaches) self-confidence, what to do when you're stressed out, when you have no place to turn to. There are a lot of different coping techniques and really practical things that you can do immediately."
Yoga is about putting everything else aside and focusing only on what's going on right at the present moment. And that's a tough concept for teenage girls, Woltring said.
"One of the first things I said to them is to put the ego aside and not feel pressured to do anything I say," Woltring said. "But also they need to be aware that no matter what's going on in the room, it's all about them, what's going on inside them."
Cassandra Jentsch, 15, came to Stars after a particularly troubled time in her life that landed her in the hospital. The program, which includes a whole menu of activities, from fun things like bowling to job skills coaching and group therapy, was a lifeline for her. And yoga is fitting right in.
"I'm experiencing more things and it's making me realize there's more to life than what I had before," said Jentsch, a student at Oostburg High School. "Yoga's very relaxing. Emotionally, I go in maybe feeling not so sure about myself, but when I come out and I do all those poses, it builds my confidence. I'm like, 'I can do things.'"
Lorrie Ruiz, the director of Stars, said the purpose of yoga fits right in with what the girls in her program need.
"I just thought their stress levels are always high and a lot of the kids in the program aren't used to structure, and I thought getting them used to some things like this would just help them with their relaxation and things like that," Ruiz said. "Some nights are better than others. But overall I think they're seeing the impact that it has on them, that it can help."
Woltring said she has seen the girls embrace yoga and what it can do for them.
"I don't know what they did prior to coming to me," she said. "I don't know if there are other variables involved in what they wear. They're definitely coming prepared, working with what they've got.
"I'm very impressed with that -- with how seriously they're taking it," Woltring said. "I'm very proud of them. If nothing else, they've opened their mind to the idea of yoga and meditation."
Thank you for the inspiring comments!!
We really appreciate and thank you for your contribution to the Baptiste Community and your continued support as you shift back to your service and empowerment of youth! What you are creating and doing is so important to Baptiste. Thank you for sharing and growing the community.
Debbie Williamson
Baptiste Power Yoga
Debbie Williamson
Baptiste Power Yoga
We were blessed to have you while we did! Your “tree” spread seeds in this community!!! Now they will germinate and grow!
Elise Cantrell
Kohler, WI
Elise Cantrell
Kohler, WI
You have made a big difference in my life in such a short time. I feel very blessed that I was introduced to you and the 40 Days. I catch myself referring to what I am learning at work, with my kids and in funny situations I run into. You are really talented and I know you touch a lot of people. Thanks for including me!
Shannon Bullard
Bullard Children’s Dentistry
Shannon Bullard
Bullard Children’s Dentistry
You dropped out of nowhere into my yoga life and filled a void in so many ways. You have been a wonderful asset to all who have been privileged to practice with you.
Helen Baumann
Sheboygan, WI
Helen Baumann
Sheboygan, WI
Thank you so much for your amazing teachings, it was extremely influential in my growth.
Rachael Lewinski
Owner of Inspire Yoga Studio
Rachael Lewinski
Owner of Inspire Yoga Studio
Thank you for all you have given and all you have inspired. They say great teachers plant seeds but may never see the flowers. You have to know you are sowing an abundant garden of energy, love and power, and it’s perennial!!! Well done Marie. You are a true role model, because you live your religion, and that matters. No one better to shape the lives of teens.
Lyn Johnson
Oostburg, WI
Lyn Johnson
Oostburg, WI
Contact Info
The Bodhi Tree Power Yoga Retreat, LLC
Marie Friedlander
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
714-788-3349
marie@thebodhitree.org
The Bodhi Tree Power Yoga Retreat, LLC
Marie Friedlander
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
714-788-3349
marie@thebodhitree.org