Thursday, November 10, 2011

Savasana songs

What's your favorite song for savasana? Traditional practices teach no music, but some people prefer blissful soundtracks like nature sounds, and others soft songs with lyrics to help them tune in, far in. For children I like to have something playing they can listen to to help suppress the urge to talk and give them a break from the sound of my voice. Favorites include The Rainbow Connection and I just had the inspiration that Dobie Gray's Drift Away might be nice. Your thoughts/suggestions?

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Autumn Yoga Activites

Now that even San Diego is steeped in the spirit of Fall (rain, days below 70, russet and gold leaves blanketing every outdoor surface), it follow suit that our yoga should reflect this time of coming (more) inward, but still remaining aware of the earth around us.

I thought about collecting fall leaves before a class and having each child pick out one that resonates (though I'd use the word "one you like"). Then we'd hold the leaves, feel the texture, recognize the colors, maybe see if they had scent...are they brittle, or still a little pliable? We could use our breath to move the leaves on the mat and see how powerful our breath can be. With this exercise I need to remember to not have them do a lot of powerful exhales in a row as this can leave (many of) us a little lightheaded (though kids might enjoy that feeling, with the explanation that letting out too much breath too fast can make you feel less balanced).

Then we could start with tree pose, holding our leaves, then letting them go and seeing if we could hold our tree strong and still even while our gaze 'fell' with the leaves. And then, the fun begins. WE would be the leaves, falling slowly, spiraling around the room, drifting up and down, letting the wind carry us, and eventually coming to rest on our own mats in child's pose, taking a few calming breaths after our journeys.

Another activity would be to do leaf rubbings with thin paper, an assortment of leaves and some nice unwrapped crayons (the fat ones made for smaller children would work really well). That would allow to really intergrate the sense of the leaf texture, and allow them to have a keepsake of their yoga experience.

For savasana (or a brief rest if it can be incorporated) I could speak about leaves gently falling from a tree to rest on the soft ground, perhaps if there is time, falling into a stream of water, floating effortlessly along in the slowly setting sun...that might be nice guided imagery.

It's also nice to teach them, esp. during awakening after savasana, how to generate their own heat by rubbing their hands fast fast fast fast fast.... then placing them over their eyes that might still not be ready to open, and feel the warmth.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Byomyoga at MKC Bonita today

Today is the last regular class of the year at MKC Bonita - at 10:30 we'll get our OM on and celebrate glorious Autumn in all its colorful splendor! For all future classes please email, text or call to sign up in advance by at least the night before and we'll be sure to be there to yoga with you!

Same for Friday classes at Poway. No class this week, with sign ups required for all classes starting 11/11.

Both locations will have breaks for Thanksgiving and the December holidays.

Mention this blog, get your first class FREE!