LightYears Children
Ancient Wisdom for Young Minds
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Notes on Yoga - to promote books in the
list of yoga books
Be patient. In the beginning your child may only wish to read the books with you.
As they grow you can introduce the yoga and relaxation techniques.
Yoga
"The word 'yoga' comes
from the Sanskrit root 'yuj' meaning to bind, join, attach and
yoke, to direct and concentrate one's attention on, to use and
apply."(1) "The word yoga means to join or unite. It
is the means by which our mind can be made still, quiet and free
from all distractions. The body is the house in which heart and
mind are reunited. When we practice yoga, we try to bring back
together the light of our heart and the light of our mind to
make them one - a natural process like the light of the
night replacing the light of the day." (2)
"A form of meditation developed in ancient India aimed at
liberating one from the physical limitation of the body, or more
broadly, from sufferings, by achieving concentration of mind
and fusing with the truth. There are several schools of yoga
which employ a variety of disciplines, including breath control,
special postures, among others. (3)
Hatha Yoga
"Hatha yoga, the practice
of the postures (asanas), was developed to give yogis the strength,
energy and balance needed to sustain an intense meditation practice
derived from two Sanskrit word 'Ha sun' and 'Tha
moon', a balance and integration of opposites: positive and negative,
active and passive, left and right." (4)
Breath work
"We live in an invisible ocean called air energy
for all life fills our lungs like it fills a balloon, then travels
with the blood to every part of the body to become food for the
tiny body cells. As we breathe out, all the old air goes back
into the sky." (5)
1) "When breathing in, breathe into the tummy, then the
chest filling up like a balloon..." (6)
2) "Breathe slowly and gently through your nose and feel
your abdomen and chest expand. Then empty the air very slowly
out of your nose again and feel your stomach, then let your chest
relax." (6)
3) "To help, the child can put their hands lightly on their
lower abdomen and feel it rise and fall with each breath. A soft
counting to five on the inhale, and five on the exhale may help
them focus on the breath. Keeping their eyes closed and their
mind on your words may also assist them."(7) To start, the
child may only wish to take one or two breaths.
4) "Saying "haaaa" with the exhalation gives added
release to the breath. Said loudly, it discharges emotional stress;
said more quietly it has a quality of relief and unwinding."
(7)
Corpse Pose
Lie on your back with your legs straight and your
arms at your side, palms up; spine is straight. Legs are hip-width
apart, arms should be equal distance from the sides of your body,
center your chin in line with collarbones. The child should feel
herself sinking into the bed." (8)
Eye pillow
"Relaxing your eyes is soothing and helpful.
Try using eye bags filled with rice or flax seed or eye masks
like the ones people use to help them sleep on airplanes."
(9)You can make these yourself or purchase them. Our favorite
is a lavender eye pillow.
Mouse or Child Pose
(10)
"This is a very small pose where you curl up on the floor
and stay as quiet as a mouse in its hole.
1) Kneel with your knees and feet together, toes pointing backwards
and heels touching each other.
2) Sit down on your heels with your buttocks touching the floor
evenly. Sit tall, shoulders relaxed.
3) Breathe out and with your bottom on your heels, slowly lower
your torso forward until your head touches the floor. Stretch
your arms in front of you.
4) Each time you breathe out let your chest go closer to your
knees. Keep shoulders relaxed and take your arms back so your
hands are close to your feet.
(1,4,7,8.9) Myers, Esther. Yoga and
You, 1996, Shambhala, Boston (for adults, not in online
list)
(2) Koch, Isabelle. Like a Fish in Water, Yoga for Children
(3) The Seeker's Glossary of Buddhism, Sutra Translation
Committee of the U.S. and Canada (for adults, not in online list)
(5,6) Cohen, Kenneth K. Imagine That! A Child's Guide to
Yoga
(10) Stewart, Mary. Yoga for Children
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© 2000 Karen D. McMillan