Wednesday June 17, 2009

Another half hour of Kid's Yoga up at the House of Meditation, this time with an ocean theme.

Things felt a little rushed, since we waited until it was just a half hour before leaving for the day, but we still got in some fun poses.

We started by making one giant yoga mat, or beach towel, at the beach.  Sat in Easy pose in a circle and sang the Namaste song.  We then stood in a tight circle, took 2 steps back, put our arms out to a T, then inhaled into Upward Salute, wiggling our fingers to say hi to the sun.  A little cloud came by, turned into a rain cloud, and sent rain, while we wiggled our fingers down.  Repeated several times.

Then swayed side to side, forward and backward like a piece of seaweed in the ocean.

Then came to sit on the giant mat with our legs in  a deep V, touching toes.  Inhaled arms up and over to one side for Seated Side Stretch, where we tickled our neighbor's toes.  Repeated on the other side.  Came into Sitting Forward Bend, then brought first one arm up, then the other.

Placed our hands to the right of our thighs for a Seated Twist, then stacked leg on leg and looked at the waves on the ocean.  Repeated on other side.

Came to sit in Easy Pose and practiced Ocean Breath.  Mackethan noticed that if you also whistled slightly, it sounded like a sea storm, so we all tried that.  Lots of giggles.

Came down on our backs, put legs and arms in the air to make Jellyfish.

Brought arms and legs down to make Starfish.

Then came into Savasana.  They each wanted a Breathing Buddy.  Then, when I saw that they were very still and quiet, I moved a large square of blue chiffon over their heads and bodies, while they were quiet Starfish on the bottom of the ocean, looking up through the "water".

They really loved this, and I did it for as long as I could.

I led them in a brief guided meditation, at the beach of course, until Maya said a wave had gotten her feet wet, then everyone said their feet were getting wet!  Clearly Savasana had ended!

We sat up in Easy Pose, said Namaste to one another, then shared the names of our Breathing Buddies.

We rolled up our "beach towels" and it was time to leave the "beach" for another day.