Kerstin Woosnam U-Yoga Mindfulness & Movement

25/09/2026

I really want to do well in my exams … but I keep avoiding studying.

I really want to make the team … but I avoid the extra training.

I want to feel more confident speaking in class … but I avoid putting my hand up.

We can really want something and still find ourselves avoiding the things that might help us get there.

Rather than jumping straight to “Why aren't you doing it?” we can get a little curious instead.

What's happening here?

What comes up when you think about doing that thing? What thoughts are there? What do you notice in your body?

Often becoming aware of what is happening is the first step.

24/09/2026

What are you avoiding because it feels hard or uncomfortable?

Something that came up in my teen yoga class today — and why sometimes the answer isn't to push harder, but to take the tiniest next step.

20/09/2026

One of the things I'm most grateful for now that my boys are teenagers is that they still come and talk to us.
About what's happening in their lives, things they're excited about and things they're struggling with.
And I don't take that for granted.

It hasn't always been like this.

It used to trigger me when the kids weren't behaving the way I thought they should, and I lost it more often than not.
Through my yoga and mindfulness practice, I've learnt to become more aware of my own reactions and give myself a little space before responding.

Of course, I still get things wrong. We all do!

But over time, things have changed.
There's more understanding, better communication and more peace in our family.
And I'm so proud of what we've achieved together.
Often the most meaningful changes in our relationships begin with being present and the way we respond.

I'd love to hear about your experience, too.

I'm currently speaking with parents of teenagers to better understand what family life looks like for them, what they're finding challenging and what kind of support would be helpful.

If you'd be happy to share your experience in a 30-minute online chat, I'd love to hear from you.

As a thank you for your time, I'm offering a complimentary 30-minute online session with me.

If you'd like to be involved, you can book a call through the link in my bio or simply send me a message.

20/09/2026

You don't have to feel calm to practise mindfulness.
You can feel frustrated, annoyed or completely overwhelmed.
The practice isn't about making those feelings disappear.
It's about becoming aware of what's happening within you, so you have a little more choice in what happens next.
Here's something you can try the next time you feel frustration building:

🌿 Notice what's happening in your body. Are your shoulders tense? Is your jaw tight?
🌿 Take a few slow breaths, without needing to change how you feel.
🌿 Give yourself a moment before deciding what to do next.

You might still feel frustrated. That's okay.
And if you only remember afterwards, that's okay too.
Awareness is something we practise, not something we have to get right every time.
A small pause can be a wonderful place to start.
Save this for a moment when you might need it.

18/09/2026

Eight years ago, this holiday would have felt very different.
I've just returned from a road trip with one of my besties from Germany, her family and our four teens.
It was the first time she'd visited me in Australia in over 19 years, and it meant the world to me.
We had an amazing time, but we also had our fair share of challenges.
Vehicle problems, delays, wind, rain, sickness and changes to our plans. All packed into two weeks!
Years ago, I would have struggled with all of this.
I used to get frustrated when things didn't go to plan or when the kids weren't behaving the way I thought they should.
And while I still get frustrated sometimes (of course I do!), I've learnt to recognise what's happening within me and give myself a little space before responding.
Sometimes that means taking a few breaths. Sometimes it means stepping away for a moment.
And it means accepting that things aren't going to go the way I imagined.
This time, instead of getting caught up in everything that went wrong, I could simply enjoy the time we had together.
And I'm so grateful for that.
It's one of the biggest gifts my yoga and mindfulness practice has given me.
Not a life without challenges, but a different way of experiencing them.
What helps you when things don't go to plan?

16/09/2026

What I saw again and again in my yr 9 classes.
Teens are tired!
This can have many reasons, not enough sleep, pressure at school, being always”on”.
They might not be physically exhausted, but mentally. There is hardly an opportunity to switch off. In the classes, the teens are asking for relaxation before we even start.
But movement can also be a way of relaxation, moving mindfully, moving with the breath and even being silly and goofy, trying new things and having a laugh.
The key is to provide opportunities for them to give the brain a break and to become present.
If you would like some tips on how to create these opportunities and what to do, sign up to my parent community newsletter. Link in bio

16/09/2026

What I saw again and again in my yr 9 classes.
Teens are tired!
This can have many reasons, not enough sleep, pressure at school, being always"on".
They might not be physically exhausted, but mentally. There is hardly an opportunity to switch off. In the classes, the teens are asking for relaxation before we even start.
But movement can also be a way of relaxation, moving mindfully, moving with the breath and even being silly and goofy, trying new things and having a laugh.
The key is to provide opportunities for them to give the brain a break and to become present.
If you would like some tips on how to create these opportunities and what to do, sign up to my parent community newsletter here:
teen-strees-support.subscribepage.io

15/09/2026

In a world of constant noise, finding stillness and silence has become a challenge, especially for many young people. Often they intuitively know they need a pause, but pressure from school, socially, and fear of missing out often keeps them going without stopping. But when they come and practice with me, they remember how it feels to be still, be silent and that it is so needed. In fact, most of the time this is their favourite part of the whole session.
How is your teen going, are there pockets in the day where they pause and turn inward?
I’d love to know

14/09/2026

What do you do when your teenager gets overwhelmed, restless or easily angry?
This was a question asked recently from a mum who's teen wants help with this.
One of the things I suggested was to use a calming breathing exercise followed by self inquiry. You could try this with your teen together: Slowly inhale for a count of four and slowly exhale for a count of 6. Practice this for 3 to 5 rounds, then take a moment to check in on how you and your teen feel now.
Ask where your teen feels the sensations in the body when strong emotions are coming up.
If you try this I would love to know how it worked for you and your teen

02/09/2026