Butterflies and Seals? 01/08/2012
Butterfly pose is a favorite for children. Once they motor plan the task of scooping legs into their arms, they establish balance. You can take it one step further by asking the child to clap their feet together and bark like a seal.  Add Comment Like Children 12/13/2011
This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.  It is such fun to free yourself in the simplicity and purity of a child. I consider myself the luckiest person on the planet to be able to play with children as my career. These friends were having fun at the Burlington Vermont street fair last summer. I am reminded that yoga means union and in relationship this is the compassion of seeing yourself in another's eyes. Let's Meet in the Middle 10/03/2011
A simple illustration of ringing ting-shaw bells, and yet so much is happening for this little yogi. Attention and focus is obtained as is evident in his gaze. Arm strength is shown as he holds the bells upward. Although he has not mastered pincer grasp, he is holding the bells with equal length and has a good hold on them. Now the challenge; can he ring them with soft graded movement? If he can he has mastered a graded movement toward midline.   Tiny bodies require tiny props. I often use my stuffed eyebags as a cushion to imrove neck alignment or pelvic tip in supine. Fabric belts make perfect yoga straps for tiny hands. Soft lap blankets are perfect for Savasana and even cover the tiny toes up to their nose. Yoga Music 07/09/2011
Yoga Music 07/09/2011
 One of my favorite tracks for yoga music is "Drum Medicine" by David & Steve Gordon. This CD lends itself well to any form of vivid drum beat, such as first chakra work. Add a flute for oral-motor/breath work and you have continued the theme. Another beautiful CD is Carlos Nakai's new work with William Eaton and Will Clipman titled "Dancing into Silence". This track is soft and flowing. How about teepee pose to finish the theme? Yoga Wings & Things 06/07/2011
 These yoga buddies proceeded to both butterfly and flower asanas and enjoyed their opportunity to play dress up. Capture the fun whenever possible and engage in our natural spirit of JOY! Living PEACE 05/31/2011
What we think and what we chant become a part of us. Could we actually become a walking symbol of peace if we choose to chant "Shanti" and paint landscapes of peace within our internal vision? I would love to hear how you have created more peace in your life, please share with me. Mellow Mantras for Children 05/22/2011
I have had the great fortune this past academic year to spend time enjoying yoga therapy with preschool children who demonstrate speech and language delays. I discovered that not only did breathing exercises relax and focus the children, mellow mantras worked just as well. I have a short mantra where the child can select a word to place in the middle of the chant. clapping hands while chanting the children sing two oms while clapping to the right, two oms clapping to the left and three oms clapping down the middle with hands placed high, middle and low. Once the pattern is familiar we begin to add words. Shiva om shiva om, om om om Shanti om, shanti om, om, om, om. It becomes fun when the children in the class begin shouting out each other's names and their favorite animals and my personal favorite "almost om" |  Nancy WilliamsYOGA THERAPY FOR EVERY SPECIAL CHILD Yoga is an ancient practice meaning Union that uses movement, the breath and chanting to improve health. By joining mind and body, Yoga practice creates relaxation and greater mental clarity, while increasing circulation and enhancing respiration. Yoga also develops strength and muscle tone, greater flexibility, and can improve sequential memory skills and increase the ability to focus. All children, including those with compromised physical capabilities, can benefit from Yoga’s creative imagery, relaxation, stretching and strengthening techniques. ArchivesAugust 2010 Categories |
