Alternately reach with the left and right arms. As you practice, increase the force of your breath. Stand in a circle. Begin in Mountain Pose. Lift one foot and press your foot against the inside of your other leg.
You can use your hand to place your foot anywhere between your ankle and inner thigh. Avoid the knee joint. Bring your hands to your chest, palms together in Namaste position. Then raise your arms up above your head. Touch hands with around the circle. Balance and breathe. Now repeat on the other side. Elephant — Elephants re compassionate; they have even been seen using their tusks to pick up a fellow elephant that is injured. Make a trunk with your arms and interlaced fingers.
Swing your trunk. Dip your trunk into the river and throw it back over your head. Spray the other elephants with your trunk. Dolphin — Dolphins have practiced random acts of kindness by rescuing swimmers from hammerhead sharks.
A few generous dolphins have even guided stranded whales back to sea. Begin in All Fours pose. Lower your elbows to the floor.
Make sure your knees are under your hips. Grasp your elbows with the opposite fingers to keep proper spacing. Move your lower arms forward, interlacing your fingers, and make a triangle. Breathe in and out, letting your spine lengthen and your tailbone lift up and back. Work your legs as you press your heels towards the floor. Breathe in and out. Move your body forward so your chin touches down in front of your fingers.
Then breathe out and lift out of the water. Moo and Meow — When cows have their best friend with them, their stress levels are reduced compared to when they are with random cows. Begin in All Fours Pose. Line up your wrists under your shoulders. Spread your fingers wide and arch your spine to the sky. Loosen your neck and drop your head down. Breathe out long as you meow. Now lift your chest forward and look up with big cow eyes.
Dip your belly down and tilt your sitting bones up. Make cow lips and moo deeply from the back of your throat. Go back and forth, meowing and mooing.
Ahimsa is Sanskrit for avoidance of himsa , or injury. It is interpreted most often as meaning peace and reverence toward all sentient beings.
Ahimsa is the core of Hinduism , Jainism , and Buddhism. Its first mention in Indian philosophy is found in the Hindu scriptures called the Upanishads , the oldest dating about BCE. Those who practice Ahimsa are often vegetarians or vegans. Ahimsa was introduced to the West by the Mahatma Gandhi. Inspired by his actions, Western civil rights movements, led by such people as Martin Luther King Jr. The more recent popularity of yoga and meditation in The West has also served to introduce many westerners to Ahimsa and other Hindu concepts.
In Jainism , the ahinsa- vrata , or vow of ahimsa, is the first of the five mahavratas , or great vows. This can go three high, too! Meditation is another way to teach ahimsa. Begin seated and bring both index fingers to the thumb pads like the OK sign. Repeat the words and gestures several times out loud, and then become quieter, and quieter, until you are whispering. Eventually, the words are only spoken in your head, but your fingers still move.
I would also suggest introducing the Loving-Kindess meditation. There is an article about the meditation and how to teach it here.
Lastly, I encourage you to teach ahimsa through song. A favorite song among Yogis is May the Longtime Sun. It is a simple, lovely song to wish yourself and others wellness and joy.
Questions, comments, concerns, et cetera? Email the Teacher Trainer Lara Hocheiser at lara flowandgrowkidsyoga. To note: Lara, who leads the above trainings and created the above products, recently spoke on yoga philosophy for kids at the Kids Yoga Conference! Exclusive access to free tools and learning materials straight to your inbox.
Get our free Kindness and Mindfulness Sampler when you sign-up! Close search. Join our community! Leave a comment Name.
0コメント