231. Heart-Focused Attention for Kids | Emotional Regulation Without Power Struggles

What do you do when a child’s anger shows up fast—and keeps showing up? In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline sits down with Luminara (Esther Clyne), an intuitive energy healer with 20+ years of experience supporting kids, teens, and adults through overwhelm, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation.

Luminara shares why teens who struggled early often hit a wall later, and how “secure support” changes everything. You’ll hear practical, school-friendly tools she teaches students (and encourages them to teach their parents), including HeartMath-inspired heart-focused attention, guided imagery for anger that builds self-compassion, and a simple grounding practice she calls “look, listen, feel” to bring attention back into the body.

Educators, parents, and mental health professionals will walk away with language you can use in the classroom, at home, or in session—especially when breathing exercises don’t land well for a child. This conversation is warm, real, and full of techniques you can try today.

About Luminara (Esther Clyne) Luminara, also known as Esther Clyne, is an intuitive energy healer, author, and musician with over 20 years of experience supporting children, teens, and adults through trauma, overwhelm, and nervous system dysregulation. Her work blends energy awareness, body-based practices, guided visualization, and heart-focused regulation, with a strong emphasis on compassion, safety, and emotional presence.

Luminara works closely with teenagers in school settings and one-on-one, drawing from both lived experience and decades of practice. She is known for translating complex emotional and nervous system concepts into language kids understand, and for teaching tools that empower young people to regulate themselves—and confidently share those tools with the adults in their lives.

Homework activities for adults A) The “hand on heart” reset (60–90 seconds) Put a hand on your chest.

Focus on the sensation of heart/chest warmth on the hand… then hand warmth on the chest.

If you have space, slow breathing slightly and imagine breath moving through the chest. Resource: none. Best use: when your child escalates; do it before you talk.

B) Anger-as-a-puppy visualization (3–5 minutes) Picture sitting in a rocking chair outdoors.

Imagine holding a puppy/kitten/baby that represents anger.

Offer the same soothing you’d give that creature.

When it calms, bring it “back into the heart centre.” Resource: quiet corner + 3 minutes. Best use: bedtime, after school, before tough transitions.

C) “Look, listen, feel” for presence (2 minutes) Look slightly up (about 20%) and fix eyes gently on one spot.

Listen to sounds around you.

Feel one body sensation (heart, hands, feet). Try to hold all three. When thoughts rush in, restart. Resource: none. Best use: sleep support, anxiety spirals, classroom reset.

D) Proactive practice schedule (simple) Heart-focused attention: morning + night (as suggested in the episode).

“Look, listen, feel”: once midday (lunch break, prep period, school pick-up). Resource: phone reminder (optional).

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Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/