Insights on STEM for youthful yogi's.
What can we learn from the moments we spend listening to the young yogi's in our lives?
Children are natural yogi’s. They move with flexibility and
have no fear. I noticed this when a baby who was barely old enough to walk
steadied himself on his feet in front of me and then bent forward into downward facing dog.
And again as a young six year old pushed up from the floor into a perfect
half-wheel posture. I enjoy the energy of youth. They are vibrant and make
friends easily. They don’t see color, or race or nationality. They only see you
as either friendly or un-nice. Teaching
yoga to groups of young people has been a joy. Today there is so much emphasis in schools on teaching Science,
Technology, Engineering, Mathematics to our youth. I devised yoga classes that
add these elements into the class. The children love the way
we combine the practice of yoga along with learning STEM concepts and having a fun time too.
I learn so much from
the young yogi’s. They have great insights into the world around them. They are
great negotiators starting at about age 3, right before bedtime they can
convince their parents or grandparents that 5 or 10 more minutes to talk or share a story with you, is more important than
going to bed "right now". And when it comes to dinner they can convince you that
if they eat half of the food on the plate that they still deserve to have their
dessert. And during a long drive they may want to hear the radio station
with the rocking beat and you may want to hear something more soothing. And
just when you are determined to change the station, the young yogini, starts
singing the words to a song that is playing that you have never heard. After listening
for a few more seconds you realize the song has a great theme and that this is
one of the little ones favorite tunes. So, you let it play!
Sometimes you can get helpful feedback from the young yogi in your life. Their feedback comes honestly, knowing that they have your trust, love and your attention when they speak with you. The young people in our lives should feel free to speak from their hearts. They
might suggest something from their perspective that you should do differently in a particular
situation. Or maybe a yogini in your family recommends that you try something new when you teach your next yoga class. What
I have learned is that time spent talking with a youthful yogi is time very well
spent. I also learned to appreciate a great new song.
Here is a link to a nice article about yoga for children.
Namaste,
Dee Williams
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