While we were going through our divorce, the director at our son’s school mentioned that he was showing a few signs of ‘stress’.
Stress? In my two-and-five-month old? That tiny person who is my hugest accomplishment to date? That was sure a heavy thing to hear as a mother. But the more I thought about it, the more motivated I felt to find creative and positive ways to encourage Marcus to explore and express anything he might be feeling about the new shape our family was taking on.
I bought books. We did even more artwork than usual and expressed our own emotions through play. All really awesome. Unless you live under a sagaofasoccermom.blogspot.com rock, you know that I am HUGELY thankful for and passionate about yoga. It led me to incredible soul searching, growth, healing, and love and continues to be a truly integral part of my life. I don’t know why I didn’t think sooner to introduce Marcus to yoga! I did some reading and wanted to share some of the awesome benefits of yoga for wee ones:
According to yogajournal.com, yoga for kids encourages self esteem and physical awareness. Encouraging cooperation and compassion is a great gift to a child. It improves flexibility, coordination and also lets kids explore their inner yogi light. And more importantly, lets them share it.
Yoga poses are so instinctual and natural – they come with important lessons on growth, animalistic instinct, natural goodness and openness to the energy around you. If we took on a more childlike approach in our own yoga, to explore and play with our space and bodies the way really, only children do, who would be learning from whom?
So now, Marcus and I go to yoga together. I hit up hot yoga in the heated room while he explores kids yoga in the room temp studio next door. I notice after the class he is very grounded, his energy is really peaceful and positive, and he’s talking more about his feelings. I can’t help but believe it is having a positive impact where any stress is involved.
So basically, we both get to work out, miss each other for that solid hour, but somehow experience and explore the same foundations of such a great lifestyle/activity? Plus it benefits our inner qualities and relieves stress physically and mentally?
That’s what I call a win-win. Shout out to Kate and her beautiful daughters for inviting us to our first session J
Namaste.
-kare
