7 Reasons Your Schooler Should Practice Yoga

Yoga is a form of exercise, meditation, and breathing practices with Indian roots designed to bring unity to the mind, body, and spirit. Adults have vouched for yoga for years, saying it makes them feel better physically, enhances their ability to concentrate, and brings tranquility to their lives. Now parents and yoga instructors are looking at the possible benefits of yoga for kids.

1.) Children experience many of the same physical benefits adults do from practicing yoga. Yoga strengthens them and helps them become more flexible and coordinated.

2.) Yoga for kids also enhances self-awareness. Children who practice yoga learn early on to tune into their bodies. 

3.) Yoga for kids enhances imagination and empathy. Children learn early on to connect with all the life on the planet and realize that similarities far outweigh differences.

4.) Yoga teaches children to have fun and move their bodies in a con-competitive environment. Yoga isn't about being right or wrong, or being best or worst. It is about bringing unity to one's own life. 

5.) Yoga for kids teaches self-discipline. As part of the practice of yoga, kids need to slow down, hold certain postures, breathe or think in a certain way. Yoga encourages children to master themselves rather than wait for an adult to control them.

6.) Yoga for kids can also be a way to strengthen families. Yoga is an exercise that parents and children and even grandparents can practice and talk about together. 

7.) Through practicing yoga, children can learn ways to relax and get control of stress in their lives. A child worried about a test, for instance, might use the meditation or breathing techniques of yoga to help her calm down and focus.

For other Yoga insights and further reads go to http://www.yoga4beginners.org/. 

Saturday Saying- Happy Valentine's Day

"What the heart gives away is never gone ... It is kept in the hearts of others."
- Robin St. John

Share with those around you. Share your loves, your passions, your opinions, your ideas, and your insight. Those words will reverberate to others.

Families, have you heard of such a thing?

Groupon is the new savings craze.

All you do is 1) go to the Groupon website, 2) choose your city, 3) type in your email address, and 4) wait anxiously, staring at your email, for the deal of the day.

To learn more about Groupons click here.

Saturday Saying- Confidence

The Tortoise and the Hare

The hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. "I have never yet been beaten," said he, "when I put forth my full speed. I challenge anyone here to race with me."

The tortoise said quietly, "I accept your challenge."

"That is a good joke," said the hare. "I could dance around you all the way."

"Keep your boasting until you've beaten," answered the tortoise. "Shall we race?"

So a course was fixed and a start was made. The hare darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped and, to show his contempt for the tortoise, lay down to have a nap. The tortoise plodded on and plodded on, and when the hare awoke from his nap, he saw the tortoise nearing the finish line, and he could not catch up in time to save the race.

                                   -Aesop's Fables

Do Unto Otters

The students auplauded at the end of this book. We stopped often to laugh. We studied the pictures. We had a great class discussion about treating others the way that we'd like to be treated. We completed the fun, post lesson activities offered on the author's website. During my reflection of this lesson that tied into our Launguage Arts unit I realized this book can be revisited throughout the year because of its lesson and high student interest.

The author, Laurie Keller, has written great children's books and created a website with teacher and/or home resources. I encourage you to read this book about Mr. Rabbit and the Otters with your child(ren).