What Yoga Taught Me About Raising Spiritual Kids is a fresh article, published in Elephant Journal by Mary Rekosh, a freelance writer, a ChildLight Yoga Certified Instructor teaching at Bend Yoga Charlottesville, and a Yoga 4 Classrooms trainer.
As a ChildLight Yoga certified kids yoga teacher, and also a Yoga 4 Classrooms Trainer, excited to bring yoga and mindfulness to schools in her area, Mary offers her advice on enhancing and supporting spiritual lives of all children, regardless of their religious upbringing. Below is a short excerpt from this great article, featuring principles from ChildLight Yoga and Yoga 4 Classrooms.
Yoga (and Life) Principles for Kids and Grownups:
Be Honest: Be truthful in what you say and what you do. Tell the truth, and be yourself (be true to you).
Be Respectful of Others: Remember to say “please” and “thank you,” make eye contact and apologize when you need to. We do these things not just to be courteous, but also to show other people that they matter and that they are worthy of respect.
Be Humble: Understand that the needs and feelings of others are as important as your own, even though it might not feel that way. Humility also means accepting opportunity for growth and change.
Be Generous: Be quick to share, and don’t take what isn’t yours (including things, ideas or time and attention—don’t interrupt).
Practice Peace: Be gentle and peaceful in what you do and think. Be respectful and show kindness and love. Do not harm anyone or anything. Be tolerant.
Practice Moderation: This has to do with self-control. Avoid doing or having or using too much of anything, from TV to sweets to toys to the earth’s resources.
Be Clean: Take care of your body and your mind, and also your community and your earth. Keep yourself clean from the inside out by eating healthy foods, exercising, bathing and brushing your teeth. Care for your part of the earth and be responsible with what you do and say. (Be respectful by remembering your manners and not using offensive language.)
Be Content: Try to see the positive in everything and be grateful, so that you can be peaceful inside. Remember to be happy for others and avoid being negative toward yourself or other people.
Work Hard: Always try your best, and finish what you start. Don’t give up!
Have Alone Time: Spend time with yourself in a quiet place without electronics or other distractions. Know yourself so that you don’t worry too much about what others think/have/do.
Believe in Something Bigger: Remember that you are connected with all things. You are a part of our family, our community, our earth and the universe. We all share the same light. Treat every person with the Namaste principle, which means: “The light and love in my heart honors the light and love in your heart.”
These concepts are expanded in a new book, Yoga for Children: 200+ Yoga
Poses, Breathing Exercises and Meditations for Healthier, Happier, More
Resilient Children, by Lisa Flynn, founder of ChildLight Yoga and Yoga 4 Classrooms.