Practicing Flexibility

The topic for this month is Flexibility.

When we ask kids to describe why we should do yoga, besides hearing it helps calm us, relax us and make our muscles strong, we hear it helps make you flexible. In our classes we discuss that is not just our bodies that yoga helps to become more flexible, but also our minds. Being flexible with our minds reminds me of the phrase "choose your battles wisely".

Our ability to be flexible can help us with how we deal with the situtation. Many times we have expectations for how we want something to go, it could be a meeting, a conversation with a friend or family member, a date, or a vacation and then something happens that we did not expect. We can practice being flexible by taking deep breaths, taking a moment alone, being okay with the situation not going our way, communicating our needs (vs. wants) and seeing a bigger picture.

I've mentioned before, being a breast cancer survivor, nothing "bad" compares to having had breast cancer. Things that may seem inconvenient or a bother aren't such a big deal when compared to having to face a diagnosis of cancer. In those moments I remember my yoga practice and I remind myself- life is here to be enjoyed, appreciated and lived to its fullest.

May you appreciate the fullness of each day!

peace and love,

Danay

5 Kid Tips for Practicing Flexibility

Flexibility means being able to bend, adapt or change.

Examples of when you could practice flexibility:
- things aren't going your way
- someone says something or does something you don't like
- your schedule changes

How to practice Flexibility?
* Take some deep breaths
* Be okay with having what you wanted be different
* Look for the good in what has happened
* Take a moment alone
* Remember a yoga pose that reminds you to be flexible and practice it

Pose of the Month - Swan Dive into Forward Fold

For Swan Dive - Forward Fold start standing with feet hip distance apart, hands are together at the heart. Inhale hands up over the head. Exhale as arms float down, hinging at the hips and the upper body bends forward. The fingers are reaching for the floor. If if feels uncomfortable in the back of your legs or your lower back slightly bend the knees. Hang here either with your fingers reaching for your toes or hold onto your elbows and let gravity work its magic. Allowing your upper body to relax and feeling the stretch in your legs take several long, deep breaths in and out. Come up slowly to a standing position.
This pose will increase flexibility in your legs and release tension in your lower back.