Enjoy this relaxing guided audio meditation for children exploring the beauty of autumn. Use this meditation before bedtime for a peaceful night's sleep or anytime to help your child feel more calm, peaceful, and relaxed. Narration by Andrea Creel, Shining Kids Yoga http://www.shiningkidsyoga.com Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) "River Flute" Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Today's guest blogger is children's yoga teacher and professional artist, Meg Schaap! Meg teaches the after-school yoga classes at Travilah Elementary, Beverly Farms Elementary, Primary Montessori Day School, and Dufief Elementary.
Meditation stones are a creative and fun way to help children learn how to meditate. Kids love making their own magical meditation stones, or you can make one as a special gift for your child. Check out the step-by-step instructions below!
Once you have all of the materials, take a few minutes to get quiet, close your eyes, and think about what you are going to paint on it. It can be anything; some suggestions are: a flower, heart, flying bird, a tree, a butterfly, or anything you like.
Next, find an even spot on the rock, where it is easy to paint on. Get the paint, put all the colors you need on a plate and dip your paintbrush in the cup of water and then dry it a little on the paper towel. Decide which color you want to start with. I find it easy to outline whatever you want to paint and then you use other colors to color it in. Every time you use another color you clean your brush and dry it on the paper towel if you want bright colors. Make sure your paintbrush is not too wet or too dry when you paint. Also you can let the paint dry in between so the colors are not bleeding through each other.
If you make a mistake, you can easily wipe the paint off and start over again. Once you like what you painted, you let it dry for an hour and then get the spray sealer, and just spray one or two times and let this dry again.
There you are….. you have your own magical meditation stone!
The stone can be used as a focal point during meditation or relaxation - for example, your child can place the stone in front of them to look at the image, or lie down, close their eyes and place the stone on their belly as they relax. I tell the children in class that the stone is magic; when you focus on the stone, all the magic goes inside of you!
- Meg Schaap
As a yoga teacher, I get pretty happy when I get to do yoga with my son, Quinn. We laugh, fall down, and help each other stretch and open our bodies. It's a chance for us to connect and be present and let go of the busyness that can often envelope our day-to-day lives. I know the days when he will want to do yoga with me (or do anything with me) are limited, and so I savor each double down dog and lizard on a rock pose we do together.
I love being able to bring yoga to other families, too. To show them new ways to connect with each other through poses, games, and relaxation.
This summer, I'll be offering 3 Family Yoga Workshops for children ages 5-11 and their parents. If you'd like to join me, you can sign up your family for one, two, or three classes (discounts available when you sign up for multiple classes!). I look forward to seeing you and your family on the mat.
~ Andrea
