Pranayama      Asanas

Archetypal Characters      Meditations

Here you will find playful exercises exploring the many aspects of yoga
through creative self expression and contemplation.
As I teach the children yoga, I remind myself~ Children are Yoga.
May I simply provide a loving context for the children to blossom from their natural state of connectedness.
Om

Pranayama

Inhaling and exhaling through the nostrils creating the soothing sounds of the rise and fall of an ocean tide

Ahhh Breathing ~

Inhale through the nostrils and exhale out the mouth making the sound of Ahhh.
See how long you can make the sound. If you like place your hand on your heart, feeling the incredible vibration in the heart center. Or place your hand on another’s heart as they do the breathing practice ~ feeling their heart center.
You can also do it with both people placing hands on the other’s heart, harmoniously tuning the vibrations together.
Another variation is to pat one’s back while they make the Ahhhh sound creating a percussive type sound.

Snake breath ~

Asanas

Elements of Nature

Earth ~ heavy, weighted, sturdy, strong

Water ~ fluid, light, flexible, swirling, swishing

Fire ~ energetic, bright, sparkling, powerful

Air ~ effervescent, breezy, flying, breathy

Ether ~ transparent, invisible, all encompassing

Aspects of Nature

One body part at a time (feet, legs, hips, belly, back, shoulders, arms, head)
or the whole body altogether explore the various aspect of nature

Trees, cactus, flowers, animals, insects, reptiles, dinosaurs

Rain, snow, dew, lakes, rivers, oceans, fish, dolphins, whales

Fireflies

Birds, butterflies

All the nature spirits and sometimes unseen helpers of this world

Afterwards you may want to write your experiences or perhaps draw yourself and/or the others doing the postures.
You may want to write a poem based on your experience… or create a song or even make a dance from your findings. Enjoy!

Archetypal Characters

Make a frozen shape capturing the essence of each of the following characters:

The Warrior ~ one who is strong

The Yogi ~ one who is flexible

The Child ~ one who is pure

The Artist ~ one who is beautiful

The Teacher ~ one who shares

The God/ Goddess ~ one who is truthful

What are other archetypes you can think of?
Perhaps you could make up stories, plays, dances, or songs using the archetypes…
or even paint yourself as your favorite archetype…
and just for fun paint yourself as each of the archetypes… for you are everything!

Meditation
some fun meditation positions:

sitting cross legged with back against the wall
curled up on one side in the fetal position
sivasana (surrender pose) on your back
or lying on your back with legs up the wall

Aura Meditation

Close your eyes and imagine you are in a bubble of light.
With your hands and feet gently feel all around you touching the invisible light.
Then sit or lie perfectly still, with each breath feel, see, and know more light, energy, and love in your bubble.
Know your bubble is growing greater and greater. Know it always protects and energizes you.
You may want to explore the colors within your bubble for they are always changing.
After this add more and more beautiful white light to your bubble.
You may want to draw a self-portrait of yourself afterwards
remembering all the beautiful colors and light in and around you.

Creation Meditation

Close your eyes and watch your breath.
Know your breath is how you connect to everyone, thing, and all there is.
It is the same breath, life force, feeding all.
Inhale qualities and situations you would like in this moment
(harmonious relations with family and friends, love, more fun, etc.)
Then exhale qualities and situations you do not want out of you (fear, upset, disappointment, sickness).
Fill your self up with everything you love and let go of everything you no longer need.
Experience yourself getting brighter, more beautiful, and joyful.
You can do this meditation for others, too.
Say you want your Mom to feel better.
Inhale and see her brighter, happier, and healthy… exhale seeing all her pains drop away.

Distance Healing Meditation

Place your hands on your heart, feeling all your healing power increase with each breath.
Concentrate on the love in your heart.
Then imagine a person in your life you would like to send healing.
See them very clearly with your imagination.
Ask their heart with yours if they would like to receive some love from you.
You will almost always receive a yes.
Then as if they were lying down in front of you, place your hands over their invisible body.
With all your heart and concentration send them love, love, and more love.
Then thank them and yourself.
Notice how you feel… much more energized, happy, and bright.