The Wisdom Of A Child

“Its Like Your Brain Connecting With All The Cells In Your Body”

Children can teach you so much. I had lunch with one of my yoga students last week and she told me a story. She and her husband have had the pleasure of having their granddaughter and her mother live with them since she was born 6 years ago. The granddaughter has watched my student, whom I will call Maggie, do her yoga practice from her earliest days and of course from the time when she could crawl has been “helping” and participating. Children take to yoga naturally; they love to move their bodies because it is their way of exploring both themselves and the world and their connection to the world. They also get a kick out of the names of many of the yoga poses; tree pose (it looks like a Christmas tree), dog pose (a dog stretching with its tail up in the air), lion pose (a roaring lion) etc.  

The point of yoga for children is for them to move and explore. But sometimes you can nudge them along with a few instructions too, pointing out some things. You can do this if they show an interest and willingness.  Maggie can do this with little Kathy. Maggie was telling me that after a little practice together Kathy had remarked that “It was like your brain being connected to all the cells in your body.”!  That was quite an insight for a 6 year old to be aware of. All Maggie had done was suggest she do something with her arm and at the same time something quite different with her leg and foot while she tried to keep breathing evenly.  (Admittedly that is a lot to ask, but the little girl understood.) 

There is a terrific power in being connected that way, when the mind is centered enough to focus on different parts of the body doing opposite things while remaining calm and controlled. It takes concentration, focus, willpower, and practice, and patience to achieve. Things we can all work on. In the end it makes you feel quiet and connected and peaceful.

We have a free class coming up this Friday, April 25th from 6-7 pm. Come in and practice with us. (A good reference for children is Bobby Clennell's "Watch Me Do Yoga")

Each week one of the teachers at the Yoga Space shares her thoughts and experiences in this blog. This week Sue Salaniuk, Senior Intermediate I teacher shares the wisdom from a child. The Yoga Space is a yoga studio just east of Dexter serving Saline, Chelsea, Manchester and Ann Arbor.  We have been helping people with their flexibility, strength, focus and stress management for over 14 years. We offer a free class the last Friday of each month from 6-7 pm. 180 Little Lake Dr #1 Ann Arbor, MI, 48103. http://yogaspaceannarbor.com 734-622-9600