Indigo Dreams Garden of Wellness: Stories and Techniques Designed to Decrease Bullying, Anger, Anxiety & Obesity, While Promoting Self-Esteem & Health [Audiobook] [Audio CD]

I was originally introduced to Lori Lite's work when searching for something to help my then 8 year old daughter deal with anxiety and difficulty sleeping. After much searching I ordered her original "Indigo Dreams" CD and it was miraculously effective!

We then ordered "Indigo Ocean Dreams" which had the same result. In fact both of those programs were so effective for her that when it became available, we gave my 12 year old son "Indigo Teen Dreams" to help him relax into sleep.

Now we're fortunate enough to have another offering from Lori Lite, Indigo Dreams: Garden of Wellness. In fact my daughter who is now almost 10, listened to it last night for the first time and gave me the biggest smile this morning when I asked how she liked it!

In fact my daughter loved it so much that before she left for school today, she left it playing in her CD player for her favorite stuffed animal named Quackers (a stuffed duck that she's had for many years). She tucks him in every morning before she goes to school and leaves a CD on for him so he won't be lonely. For her to leave it on for Quackers is the ultimate compliment! :)

I listened to the CD myself this morning and I can see why she was so positive about it!

This CD deals with issues that all kids have to deal with in some fashion. It deals with making good food choices, being able to deal with bullying/exclusion from the "in" group as well as other situations that can be stressful.

I think it's wonderful that this program starts with a story dealing with food choices because it really helps children become aware of how their choices affect the way they feel. People often think of food choice as being tied only to obesity, but in fact anxiety and other emotions can be triggered by what we put into our bodies.

In this and other tracks children learn to use affirmations and other techniques that will empower them to deal with various situations.

There is the Bubble Blowing technique where you imagine putting a difficult emotion into a bubble and then being able to pop the bubble (and the emotion) to release oneself from it. This seems very simple but it is effective, similar to the meditative idea of "noting" where you "note" an emotion you are feeling which helps to create distance from it and let you be the observer of the emotion rather than being caught up in it.

Also there is the "Light Shield" technique in which children learn to imagine an inner light shield to protect themselves from external noise or situations where others may be making them uncomfortable emotionally.

Those techniques along with affirmations help children become empowered internally which is the greatest thing they can learn. To me, this sense of empowerment can lead to a tremendous increase in the quality of one's inner life which can only lead to increasing the quality of one's outer life.

In my opinion, the inner life is the place which is most important because if you have a strong inner life you can deal with most anything that happens on the outside, then the good things that occur externally are like icing on the cake. How many of us know people who seem to have everything externally but who are miserable on the inside and yet often you can meet people who live humble lives but who radiate true joy and kindness.

Lori Lite helps children plant the seed to this inner life which is the greatest gift children can receive.

Highly recommended!

My 9 year old daughter is the youngest of 4 and the only girl. We have recently become a blended family with many adjustments. My daughter listens to the CD every night and when it is over, she falls asleep peacefully and fearlessly. The narration is animated and the sound effects are soothing. The storyline is so versatile to many of lifes' difficult situations. It creates a great basis for meaningful conversation and great communication. My boys (14, 13 &12) are usually not into "kids stuff" but they listened to the CD in its entirety and really liked it. I have even often found them using the coping techniques taught at the end of the story. It has made an enormous impact on our family. My kids have become more confident, self controlled and compassionate. I can't wait to get another one for her.

We love Indigo Dreams: Garden of Wellness! This is the 3rd CD we've purchase in the series and it's just as good as the original Indigo Dreams and Indigo Ocean Dreams. My nearly 5 year old daughter has rest time every day when she can listen to something of her choice, and she's picked Garden of Wellness every day since we received it a week ago.

The whole series of CDs are so positive and soothing for her. She focuses on the stories and we discuss them after they're done. She can relate to the characters, and the positive messages about eating and self-esteem are simple and straightforward enough to resonate with her. They are a great way to help kids relax and get some much-needed down time during the day without having to turn on the TV. I plan on using the Indigo Dreams CDs with my 2 year old daughter as well, when she begins to grow out of her naps. The CDs have been a great way to extend the "rest time" habit with our older daughter.