Yoga Calm for Children: Educating Heart, Mind, and Body
The beautiful book by Lynea Gillen, MS and school counselor, and Jim Gillen, RYT of Yoga Calm offers a clear program for introducing educational activities and curriculum that address the whole child, rather than just the academic mind.
Backed up by over 30 years of experience as well as mounds of scientific evidence, Lynea and Jim provide a handbook of over 60 activities and poses, including notes for variations and integration with regular class work, modifications based on common classroom situations, and complete sample lesson plans. Even the extensive bibliography is sorted for the quickest and simplest access possible.
Just as the ancient principles of yoga seem to be the antidote for our high-stress, fast-paced adult lives, they can be tailored to help today’s children face their own fast-paced academic-laden school experience and stressful home situations. Published by Three Pebble Press in the Gillens’ native Oregon in October 2007, the research provided is up to date, and all examples are topical and focused for today's kids.
Yoga Calm's Mind-Body Principles
The seamless integration of physical activities and the mental, imaginative, and social learning activities truly encompass the mind-body principles of internal focus, synchronization of movement with the breath, and focusing on alignment.
There are five basic principles that are repeated throughout the book, the activities and poses are organized using icons (see sample pages) depicting these principles (p.27-28):
- Stillness – “the ability to quiet the mind and body; to be self-aware, to develop sensitivity, self-control, and self-regulation”
- Listening – “the ability to tune in to what the heart, mind, and body have to say”
- Grounding – “the ability to connect to the earth, to be physically present in the body, and to develop a sense of competence, physical safety, and security”
- Strength – “Physical Strength helps prevent injury and disease and develops capability, confidence, and self-esteem based on measurable outcomes. Mental Strength is the use of positive self-talk, respecting boundaries, and monitoring the things taken into the mind and body. Emotional Strength is the ability to feel, identify, and express feelings without harming oneself or others.”
- Community – “nurtures the ability to give and receive support, as well as develop compassion, communication skills, and other abilities necessary to live cooperatively with others”
Yoga Calm Toolkit includes "Emotional First-Aid"
Yoga Calm Tools are specific, focused and described in careful detail, complete with anecdotal examples from Lynea’s direct experience that both move and inspire the reader.
- Breath work – similar to Yogic Pranayama, but without all the Sanskrit. The purpose and outcome are the same: slowing down the nervous system and connecting students with the present moment and their inner worlds.
- Yoga-based activities – arranged and scan-able with the associated icons of Yoga Calm principles, one chapter outlines simple descriptions in plain English of poses and modifications for children to burn a little excess energy and integrate the lessons with their whole bodies while gradually and gently building strength and flexibility.
- Social/Emotional Activities – organized with the icons of the Yoga Calm Principles just like the yoga poses, this is an entire chapter of worksheets, solo, and group exercises including integrated notes, poses to include and complement the lesson, as well as other coursework that might work well with the ideas discussed in each topic.
- Guided Relaxations – Tailored to the specific needs of today’s kids, the scripts and clear instructions provided for these imaginative vacations make it simple to lead the vitally important final relaxation and integration portion of the yoga practice.
- Emotional Guidance - This chapter dedicated to Emotional Guidance is useful for anyone who has to deal with children on a regular basis.
Literally, the Gillens provide a first-aid kit for acknowledging and dealing with someone who is experiencing strong emotions. Parents and teachers - or anyone not specifically trained in psychology – can appreciate the simple tools provided. Reflective listening, one of the tools, is even one of the children’s activities called the Communication Game (p.109).
Indispensable Handbook for Anyone Sharing Yoga with Kids
Targeted at educators, this book will serve teachers in public school settings as easily as school counselors or parents.
The emotional first-aid may be of interest to yoga instructors, as well as pose outlines, which include detailed examples about the uses of particular poses to support emotional lessons.
It would also be a great handbook for parents who enjoy yoga, and would like to share it with their children.
Alicia King - Alicia King has been writing for Suite 101 since June of 2007. For over a year, she was the Featured Writer for the Suite section about ...
