"You can't stop the waves from coming, but you can Learn how to Surf" - Jon Kabatt Zinn

The above quote is one that beautifully captures how I feel.  Life will always be filled with challenges and my goal was to give these kids some tools, such as Mindful Breathing, Wish Fulfilling Tree, Breathing in the Big me, to help them cope with these challenges.  Friday was our last session for this term, I am going to miss all the smiling faces, enthusiasm and energy that the kids shared with me in our Yoga class.  

We warmed-up today, by revisiting the Wish Fulfilling Tree and played a fun Yoga game that helped the kids work on their balance, attention and body awareness.   

We continued Story Yoga (I'm Gonna Like Me), and explored several Yoga poses while reinforcing the message of being comfortable with who we are.  Remind your child about Breathing in the Big Me,  when bad thoughts start bothering them, and letting go of those thoughts as they exhale.

With the older kids we played Yoga Jenga which tested our fine motor co-ordination and focus and got us moving and doing all of our favorite Yoga poses.  We also practiced butterfly breathing, another way to mindfully breathe and build present moment awareness.  

Towards the end of class the older kids reflected on ways to be kind,  I have provided them with a checklist they could use to start them off.  We wrapped up the class with a Kindness Wish Fulfilling Art and a short relaxation.

I wish everyone a safe and fun summer and look forward to seeing everyone in September :)

Suggested Activity:  Continue to practice mindful breathing (balloon breathing) with your child as a family.  I find it works very well as a bedtime routine to help calm their bodies and minds.  As we breathe mindfully, I usually have my kids say 5 positive things about themselves during each in-breath and encourage them to exhale any doubts or worries they may have.  

When spending time outside, ask your kids to come up with a Yoga Pose based on what they see and play the "What I can See, I can be" game.  For instance, if they see trees, have them do tree pose or forest of trees with siblings, or butterfly pose when you see a butterfly, flower pose, airplane pose and so forth.  I find this is a fun way to keep the practice going through the summer and foster an active imagination.