I once led a Yoga practice as part of the summer youth program at a downtown community center. The kids ranged in age from about 8 to about 15. Maybe 20 of them. At the end of every Yoga practice is a practice often called “final relaxation.” It is a form of meditation, maybe even mindfulness.
For the length of the practice we did with these youth, final relaxation would be maybe 5-6 minutes. Figuring we could keep 20 kids still for 5 minutes seemed the Impossible Dream. We went sometimes as long as 15 minutes.
You all can do that, too. If an 8-year-old can lie still and breathe for 15 minutes, what is stopping you. A pause for even 10 minutes in a busy day where we breathe and perhaps focus on a scene can change your outlook on life, and indeed, your life itself.
I would often set a scene as we began relaxing. Imagine yourself in a sunny meadow filled with beautiful wildflowers. The grass is soft as we sink into it. We can smell the flowers. Our breathing slows. We are just here.
Faith Venture 
July 30, 2024 at 6:13 am |
Very interesting and thank you for this Gary. I have always been curious about yoga and mindfulness and this post will be the nudge for me to pursue both. I