Displaying items by tag: Active travel tag
Diving is a great way to discover the world and what lies beneath the surface.
From Bonaire and Grand Cayman to Yap and Palau, Family Dive Adventures and Kids Sea Camp provide education about the underwater world and the tools needed to become safe, confident divers. In the last 15 years, the company has certified more than 5,400 kids. Children and their parents will learn about coral reefs, sharks, manta rays and the latest in global marine conservation during Kids Sea Camp weeks.
Join other families during organized group trips or customize your own getaway.
Find out more: familydivers.com
Spending time outside matters.
This revelation, underscored in a study by the Girl Scout Research Institute ("More Than S'mores"), doesn't surprise me.
The report suggests that girls who spend time outside regularly surpass their peers who spend less time in fresh air in environmental stewardship, they readily seek more challenges and are better problem-solvers.
Other findings include:
Spending time outdoors in nature is different from playing or learning inside.
Here’s how . . .
Outdoor spaces support physical play. Unlike most indoor environments, the outdoors offers open space where children are able to be messy, make noise, and move in more physically intense ways.
This allows them to develop their movement capability and confidence—both of which create foundations for physically active lifestyles and general health (Little & Wyver, 2008; SPARC, 2009).
Time in nature promotes attention restoration.
Spending time in nature (even just a walk in a park) has been shown to improve concentration and creative reasoning among children and adults, including those with attention deficits (Atchley, Strayer, & Atchley, 2012; Taylor & Kuo, 2009; Berman, Jonides, & Kaplan, 2008).
Nature provides novelty and challenge, which enhance leadership.
Outdoor experiences often place girls in new physical, psychological, and social situations that motivate curiosity and foster a sense of discovery. Authentic challenges in nature (think . . . starting a fire in the rain or negotiating a set of whitewater rapids) require girls to become more self-aware and to cooper- ate, communicate, and solve problems more effectively (Rickinson et al., 2004).
For me and for my children, outdoor experiences have always been healthy, enriching and expansive in every way.
Our favorite family vacations have included river rafting, hiking, fly fishing, and camping.
What role does outside activity play in your family?
A yoga practice can be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
Many resorts and destinations offer special programs and classes to entice families to participate in this beneficial practice.
Check out these places where you can get your om on:
1. Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa. Riviera Maya, MX.
This seaside all-inclusive resort is organized into three zones, one of which is designed for families. An aqua park, kids club and water sports center provide plenty of compelling activities for young travelers of all ages. Complimentary mini yoga takes place near one of the property’s preserved cenotes, a location deemed sacred to the Mayan people. The classes are designed to encourage youngsters to recognize their roots in the earth and to maintain that connection to the natural world.
Contact: 1 (866) 336-4083; www.sandos.com/hotel-sandos-caracol-in-playa-del-carmen.
2. Yoga For The Peaceful. Crested Butte, CO.
This family-owned business, located on Crested Butte’s eclectic main street offers a range of yoga classes in a cozy studio that is a reflection of the local community. Green and offering support to local grassroots organizations, you will also find a small boutique and news about local happenings, retreats and workshops.
Contact: 970- 349-0302; www.YogaForThePeaceful.org
3. JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. Scottsdale, AZ.
Have you or your family members experienced yoga in a teepee? You’ll get your chance when you check into this historic, 427-room Scottsdale resort. Located in the foothills of Mummy Mountain, you’ll channel a peaceful Native American vibe during your practice. Later, enjoy the desert vistas, hop on a mountain bike or take in a nature hike before cooling off in one of the property’s picturesque pools.
Contact: 1-480-948-1700; www.camelbackinn.com.
4. Life Path Spa. Canandaigua, NY
The combination of fresh air and gentle, slow-paced Hatha Yoga is an ideal way to start the day during a family getaway. The Yoga on the Dock classes take place at water’s edge in Bristol Harbour on Canandaigua Lake. While in residence, enjoy guided nature walks where views of waterfalls and lakes will inspire as well as fitness classes and traditional spa services.
Contact: 585-919-6221; LifePathSpa.com
5. Ocean Club Resort. Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands.
The white sand beaches of Grace Bay will serve as your launching point as you embark on one of the hottest new fitness trends on the planet. Trading your yoga mat for a stand-up paddleboard means you’ll be putting your core muscles to work as you breathe in the salty sea air and perform poses, balancing against the gentle rocking of the sea. Warmed by the sun, you’ll welcome the occasional splash into the turquoise waters as you and the gang practice downward dogs and forward bends afloat.
Contact: 1-800-457-8787; http://oceanclubresorts.com
6. New to Yoga?
More than 2,000 yoga studios across the country are willing to help you and your family get started by offering one week of free classes. Choose to partake at home or in a new destination.
Either way, the program, offered by the Yoga Health Foundation as part of the National Yoga Awareness Campaign, is designed to introduce more people to the health and wellness benefits of the practice.
