How to Train the Mindful Dragon- Training Begins

by Kayla Reetz, published July 2025

This is a sequel post to How to Train the Mindful Dragon- Discover the Dragon where we identified a possible dragon within ourselves and how it may be related to the SNS (sympathetic nervous system) and the PNS (parasympathetic nervous system) within our bodies. We encouraged each reader to take time to notice the 6 seconds of split decision- do we react or respond?

Like a recent dragon-inspired movie that came out, it’s often a change of mindset that starts the path toward something greater than ever imagined. Training begins with a start toward wellness- whether that be of the mind, the body, or both. 

In this blog sequel, I invite you to consider how training can happen with a Safe Harbor Yoga opportunity. No, this is not just a marketing push to get more sales. While the opportunities I am going to share are solely at Safe Harbor (because it’s the only resource I can expertly speak of), there are other opportunities out there. 

A group practicing a gentle flow with the morning sun

Safe Harbor Yoga has so many opportunities, I am sure you will find one for you, and share others with those that come to mind!🙂

1. Join a Class

   1. Safe Harbor Yoga now offers 7(!) classes a week to start training your inner dragon. I am going to break each of them down to better allow you to make the perfect choice for you.

      • Gentle Morning Flow

        • Great for those that want to start the day with the sun. Not for those who

          powerhouse their way to the morning, but for those who prefer to step into the sun as it creeps toward them, gently guiding their mind and body toward the day.

      • Beginner’s Adult Yoga

        • Geared toward the beginning practitioner, but not excluding the advanced yogis, this practice is a whole body experience that spends time with each muscle of the body. Practice is scaffolded to the needs and abilities of the clients.

      • Stretch Training

        • Intense, targeted stretching in a safe way meant to aid mobility and range of motion.  This training specializes in focusing on the lower back, hips, hamstrings, and shoulders while not excluding the other muscle groups of the body. Uses Yogabody’s 3 principles of practice.

      • Restorative Yoga

        • A perfect way to end the day! Restorative yoga is about allowing complete relaxation to enter every muscle of the body- including the deep fascia! Props used extensively to provide optimum easement and that sink-into-your-mattress-after-a-long-day sense of comfort.

      • Private Sessions

        • Nervous to practice in front of others? Want to check if I know my stuff? Then private sessions are a great way to introduce yourself to a Safe Harbor practice. These sessions can happen LIVE or via Zoom so you can practice from the comfort of your living room! Sessions can be done as needed, or, for a more scaffolded and goal-driven approach, session packages are also available.

2. Allow Safe Harbor to Speak

   1. Giving a Workshop? Planning a camp? Want to give your team a bit of self-care while simultaneously inspiring team building? Allow Safe Harbor to be a guest speaker! Safe Harbor loves to share the benefit of mindful education when and where it can. We can- and have- provided opportunities to meet the needs of children and adults alike.  We can offer movement-focused workshops for up to 2 hours geared toward your goals, or a more education-based workshop with thought-provoking content as well as mindful practices. Contact Kayla today to get started!

3. 
   

   Take a Training

   1. 95 Hour Registered Yoga for Children Training (RYCT)

      1. As a Licensed Affiliate of Challenge to Change, Inc, Safe Harbor can now train YOU to be a mindful educator for children, toddlers and teens to 18. This can be used in schools, daycares, homeschool coops or even your own home.  This training opens the door to considering how you can adjust what you already do to help the future generation! We have an upcoming training starting later this month, but if that doesn’t work for you, feel free to reach out to catch the next one!

   2. 200 Hour Registered Yoga Training (RYT)

      1. Also through the Licensed Affiliate program, Safe Harbor can train adults to be yoga instructors! This is a great opportunity for you to learn more about yourself and your connection to a yoga practice.  Like I did, don’t be surprised to find it’s more than just movement on a mat!

4. Give the Gift of Mindfulness and join in!

   1. Birthday Parties

      1. Safe Harbor loves sharing mindfulness in creative ways! If you have a little or an “always little” individual in your life, give them the gift of a themed birthday that includes mindful practices. Not just movement, birthday parties can include breathwork, crafts, and the adored guided mindfulness practice!

   2. Athletic Camps

      1. Are you a business wanting to sponsor athletic and mindful growth for youth? Mindfulness at the professional athlete level is getting more attention and our youth are starting to notice.  Ask about targeted flexibility with our stretch training to enhance their athletic skill or give the gift of team building by offering a yoga session at the end of a practice.  These sessions are individualized to each team’s needs.

   3. Mindful Education in the Schools Programming

      1. As a Licensed Affiliate of Challenge to Change, Inc.,  Safe Harbor can offer its amazing Mindful Education in the Schools programming to local area schools.  In the LIVE format, I would come into the school to offer 30-minute lessons 8 times (ideally, once a month) to participating classrooms. Teachers don’t need to prep a thing. Instead, they get the gift of learning alongside their students. I have done this work for over 4 years in schools across Iowa and I can tell you- the students and teachers love it alike! Contact Kayla today to learn more!

5. 

   A student enjoying their guided mindfulness during a Mindful Education in the Schools session.

   5. Start Your Own Daily Practice

   1. Daily 5 or 15

      1.  There is no better way than to simply start. While Safe Harbor classes can ensure you are caring for your body in a way that is age and ability appropriate, there are also a TON of online options out there. Search “yoga flow video” and see what comes up! Check out your local or area yoga studios.  Look at the Yoga Alliance Directory if you value an instructor committed to continued yoga education. You can often see their resume and teaching hours to show their experience. Yoga not your thing? Try other mindful practices like taekwondo, karate, or even the arts! What works for you is out there- you just have to be brave enough to find it and work toward it.

While Safe Harbor Yoga hopes for your business, these concepts are shared with the goal of your growth and training in mind. Training the dragon is never easy, but learning to work with it instead of against it can offer its own hidden world.

May you find peace in your heart, your mind and in each day moving forward.