Kids Have Stress Too
When my grandchildren were in preschool, they had yoga sessions with a visiting teacher twice a week.
Some of the class was for stretching. Some of it was about listening and following directions.
Some of it was to better communicate with their own minds. They learned to calm themselves down during savasana. My granddaughter even showed me how to get over any building anger by taking in a deep breath (smell the flower) and letting it out slowly (blow away the petals). I can’t say she used this very often. But, when I prompted her, she could call it up and avoid a meltdown.
Then they all graduated to grammar school – and the yoga classes abruptly stopped. Of course, the curriculum was more crowded and the day filled with difficult academic pursuits. But, just when stress seemed to be ramping up, stress-relieving yoga disappeared.
This time of year, while happy and exciting, can be very stressful for adults and for children, too. We adults could benefit from some of the meditation and yoga techniques our kids and grands learned in preschool. And, it’s something we can do together.
You Tube is full of free yoga sessions for kids, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM8NjfCfOg0.
If these aren’t your favorites, the web has so many more options. Start a new tradition and try a little family stress relief. You’ll all feel better for it and enjoy your holidays more.