chip's thoughts on fatherhood

A parent is someone who every child models themselves off of. Either they want to be the same or the opposite. In most cases it is a combination or more likely a rejection as a teenager with acceptance at 30 and then idolization after children. This is what my father was to me. A nutball and a hero.

Fatherhood is about mentoring and being a model for children to grow into. It is about patience and listening and not getting wrapped up in the emotion that naturally occurs.

My relationship to my dad is excellent. We both change as we age so we both know life is short and our relationship with each other is the most important there is. I love the relationship and learning that my children get from a more mature, mellow grandfather. Their relationship inspires me to be a granddad (some day).

We did not invent the manifesto together but many of the sayings originated with my dad. Most notably anything to do with living in the moment. He always said the meaning of life is in the moment and nothing else.

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As a parent, finding that place of balance and bliss during our busy day-to-day lives can sometimes be a challenge. Many moms (and dads) turn to yoga to find that inner sense of calm. But yoga is not only for adults. Children can do it too.

Yoga for kids is a fun way to learn about health and exercise. By using creative play, simple yoga postures, breathing and relaxation techniques, children can experience the physical and mental benefits of yoga – from helping raise self-awareness and self-esteem to aiding in a positive body image to respecting each other’s space.

Besides increasing strength and flexibility, striking poses can also help students strike a balance in class. Studies have shown that yoga has helped children increase their confidence, concentration, and sense of calm.

So what’s stopping you from signing your kids up for yoga? Contact your local lululemon athletica for leads on yoga for kids classes in your community or you can do a search on the internet for kids yoga DVDs and books.

See if there is a lululemon store near you that offers yoga classes for children or bring them with to a class with you!

Check out our lululemon stores and see if there is yoga class for children in your community!

This Sunday, a group of elementary school students that I coach participated in a city wide 5k race in Washington, DC among various elementary schools. The race was part of a program called Girls on the Run, in which girls learn about wellness and healthy lifestyles through running.

The Girls on the Run race was quite a contrast to a typical race in which most of the participants are adults. There was no nervous pacing or tense faces near the start. Perhaps unlike adults, the girls were in blissful ignorance of trying to achieve a personal best time, run perfect splits, or use the race to test their fitness. The girls were running for pure enjoyment. They treated the race like play. The girls could not wait to get to the line. Instead of the nervous pacing before the race, the girls were greeting each other and decorating their hair with ribbons and colored hairspray.

As I watched the girls finish the race, I saw looks of enjoyment and happiness. The students were waving to their parents and smiling. Not one of the girls asked me what their finishing time was. They were just proud to have finished a 5k, time had no meaning to them. Post-race they were more concerned with cheering for their friends that were finishing, grabbing snacks, and having a good time. Even the winner, one of my own athletes, was just excited to have been out there.

All of my girls had stellar races. It made me think that if adult runners took a more playful attitude towards racing, just like the girls, and took the unnecessary pressure off, they would probably have much faster, stronger races.