Developing Children's Intuition

"Just go with your gut," is a popular phrase that refers to the intuitive guidance provided by our bodies. "I had a gut feeling" is another. If you've ever picked up the phone and just known who was on the other end (without the benefit of caller id, that is) then you've made use of your intuitive skills. Humans have so much untapped brain power and intuition is just a tiny sliver of it. There are many ways to have fun while developing intuitive skills with kids. Guessing games are great for developing and enhancing intuition. Here is a game that is fun with groups of three or more kids. (best for ages 5-10)

1. Put a colored stone (marbles or decorator glass pebbles work great) inside a small bag.
2. Pass the bag around, encouraging the child to take their time while holding the bag to get a "sense" of what the color might be.
3. Have each child predict what color the stone is before passing the bag to the next player.
4. After everyone has had a chance, reveal the stone.

Variations: To avoid "copycatting", change the stone for each player. -or- instead of using stones, have one player visualize a color and the others write down (or use a crayon if they do not write yet) their guesses. Have players take turns visualizing.

This game stimulates brain activity and can also be played by guessing almost anything. For example:

How many pieces of mail are in the mailbox?
Who will be the next person to call or email?
What animal, number, letter, or object am I thinking of?

Developing intuition is all about trusting your instincts; that inner knowing. People often second-guess their first feelings about something, but it can be highly beneficial to attune to the signals of this guidance. In some cases, it even saves lives. There are dozens of stories about people who followed a hunch to not board a plane that later crashed. By playing guessing games and helping children learn to trust themselves, they will be that much more prepared for all the decisions and demands required of them as they grow.

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Itsy Bitsy Yoga

My son Owen Nathaniel was born 20 days ago on June 12, 2009 at 8:15 A.M.

We have been blissfully enjoying his presence and our new life with him.

This morning I started practicing yoga with him, using the Itsy Bitsy Yoga book by Helen Garabedian.
I will also be using Yoga Baby by DeAnsin Goodson Parker.

Itsy Bitsy Yoga is divided into sections by baby's age and development, and also offers 7 Magic poses that can calm fussy babies within one minute. Today Owen and I tried the Good Morning Newborn Series of four poses including the Scoop n' Hug pose which was his favorite. Check out the book today!








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Yoga for kids linkies

From 2001 to 2005 I had a children's yoga business in South Florida. As a classroom teacher, I observed first hand the differences in children who had some breathwork and training to help regulate their energy levels during a busy day. Outside the classroom, I taught yoga at a local studio, in private home sessions, at community centers and to Girl Scout groups. I had one regular private group of 2-4 girls for over a year, and in that time we really developed the idea of self-reliance and management of stress, two issues which I believe kids today need desperately.

At the local studio, I taught one afterschool group of 5 first grade boys with LOTS of energy (3 of whom happened to be in my first grade class at the time) With them, we always started the class with some laughter and "log-rolling" to help get some excess energy out and set boundaries for the class. Since moving to the west coast in 2005, I no longer have the business, but I am still able to incorporate some breathing and stretching into my kindergarten classes.

Below are some fun kids yoga linkies (so many more than when I first started researching kids' yoga in 2000!) Enjoy!

Global Family Yoga Blog
Yoga 4 Kids
Radiant Child Yoga Program
Next Generation Yoga (where I did my training in July 2002)
Jodi Komitor from NGY preschool yoga video clips at Activity TV

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Meditation Monday- Kerry Lee Maclean

Here is a linky to an author and family meditation teacher with some interactive kids' meditation activities and other resources:

Family Meditation Website

Enjoy and have a great week!


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Meditation Monday: Creating a spot at home

So you've decided that incorporating a meditation practice in your family is a good idea but aren't sure what to do next?
Younger children will learn the most by watching what you model; don't worry about trying to get children younger than 6 or 7 to "sit" and meditate. Some may join in on their own, but all are absorbing some level of your activity. In his book, "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Parenthood" Deepak Chopra suggests that after the age of 7 or 8 children are more ready to practice along with you.

A serene spot can be carved out in even the smallest of living spaces. First, sit down and consider what part of your home makes you feel the most calm, relaxed and clear. Is it inside or out? Away from phones and electronics? Now look at the list of elements below and pick a few that seem inspiring to you:

*add a plant
*create a small altar (This could be as simple as a windowsill or small box)
*Where will you sit? In a chair? on a cushion?

Since I switch between eyes open and eyes closed during my own practice, I prefer to sit on a throw pillow in front of a window or sliding glass door. Instant zen. Of course, practicing at home may be difficult with the din of daily life (and kids!) around, so perhaps walking to a nearby park or grove will provide the "innerspace" for a few minutes of quiet reflection. If leaving the house proves impossible, try to communicate the importance of this quiet time to the rest of the family. Start by hanging a small signal (such as a bright ribbon) near wear you sit to remind kids of what you are doing and keeping the time short (5 minutes to start) so they can adjust. You may even be surprised to see that they begin to sit near you and emulate your practice after a while. Meditation can seem daunting if you bite off big chunks- "How can I sit still for 20 minutes doing NOTHING when there is so much I need to do?" but if you start with five minutes on a throw pillow every time you think of it, the practice will grow on its own!

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Meditation Monday: The Relaxation Station

Let's face it; kids today are running on overload! From afterschool activities, homework, and family obligations to spending lots of free time looking at computer screens and video game monitors, kids today are overstimulated. Many do not have the ability to sit still and do "nothing". But these same kids are craving stillness! They want to experience it and understand that once they know how to access a quieter mind, it's there for them whenever they may need it.

In my Kindergarten classroom, students learn breathing and relaxation techniques and are encouraged to take a break in the Relaxation Station whenever they feel they need it. At first, they take every opportunity to visit, experimenting with the new freedom, but later they tend to only use it when they are experiencing tiredness or high emotion. The Relaxation Station can be easily created using a soft rug, a few big pillows and one or two focal points such as a simple picture of a flower on the wall or of an animal resting. Adults can model sitting quietly or laying down with a blanket breathing deeply for a few moments before returning to their regular activities. Having such a spot can empower children to identify when they need a break.

Deep breathing also empowers kids. When two children are having a conflict in the class, both are directed to take 5-10 "balloon" breaths before attempting to discuss the problem. In my experience, 9 times out of 10 they forget their problem by the time they finish the breaths, or at least are able to communicate about the problem more easily.

Balloon Breath:

1. Place your hands over your chest, where the lungs are.
2. Close your eyes and imagine a colorful balloon inside you.
3. Breathe in through your nose and imagine the breath filling the balloon. Feel the lungs filling with fresh air and oxygen.
4. Exhale through the nose and release the breath. Allow it to float away.
5. Repeat a few times. (1-3 times for younger children, a few more for older children)
6. Open your eyes and describe the color of your balloon. How do you feel?

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