Teaching children's yoga is a priceless service and a great joy.
Words can't describe the joy I felt while teaching for 9-days straight at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts earlier this month. Well, of course there is the word EXHUSTED, but it's of the exhilerating kind, where you just were in your bliss the whole time and you are left feeling good all over and a job well done.
I had two weekend groups of 2 days and a 5 day program. It was the closest thing to a school that I've ever had. We did Storytime Yoga classes, drew pictures, wrote words, learned how to spell, how to speak. We made art of story sticks, walked in nature, swam in the lake during the scorching July heat, and kids frolicked with plenty of free time.
Several parents commented how they liked my camp for their child, as it's not so intensely structured and go, go, go, do do do something every minute of the day. There was learning through yoga and play, and relaxation and joy is emphasized. And every full day we had an afternoon Storytime Yoga Siesta, to relax and hear stories and just let go. Children meditated through contemplative art projects and nature, as well as learning to braid. I was impressed that an ADHD boy transformed completely when he learned to braid or listened to a story. He was spellbound and focused.
Art is a great meditation for children
I urge everybody to save their public schools and say NO! to Obama's race to the top mess, test score nightmare and pressure that destroy a child's natural capacity for the love of learning. Fight against the loss of the soul in education, as budget cuts of art and music and drama disintegrate what it means to be human and enjoy learning all together. It's a tragedy what's going on in public education in the US. That's why I enjoyed testing out my little school at Kripalu, as I will be homeschooling my children this fall as we travel the globe. I'l be unschooling them, and bringing the delight of learning back into their lives with yoga and story.
The editor of Yoga Journal Magazine contacted me recently about how her daughter loved a class one of my certified teachers of Storytime Yoga taught. "I feel certain you bring some magic to the practice of yoga for kids," she said. "Thanks for sharing it!"
This is why we teach yoga to children. It is the highest service and the greatest reward. They say if you want to influence tomorrow, plant a seed, if you want to influence ten years from now, plant a tree, but if you want to influence 100 years from now, teach a child. You can touch the future when you teach a child. Help us make them a priority in the world by doing just that!
I'd have photographs of our great time, but technical difficulties prevent this. I will update this blog when technology is kinder to me, hopefully soon!
For a detailed account of my experience at Kripalu and how you can turn your children's yoga program into a camp, and how to make a story stick, join the League of Yogic Storytellers today!
Now I'm off to the Omega Institute to Train others in the Magic of Storytime Yoga!
Namaste and Have a Magical Day!
Sydney Solis in the Kripalu labyrinth.
Leave A Comment