Yoga
for kids can be geared to teach them the meaning of yoga but with
lightness, lots of levity and tons of exploration. Recently, I have
been thinking of how to teach the koshas to kids. I have found that
studying and teaching Esoteric Anatomy informs my practice and
teaching in a beneficial way. The study of the subtle body’s
energies and structures supports my true nature. Focusing on the
energy inside your body is a great way to notice tensions,
relaxation, and a great way to focus inside rather than just
externally. I love feeling that the inside of me is just as powerful
means for change as the outside.
In
yoga, you can describe the functions of the perceptible (corporal)
body and you can also describe the functions of the subtle (implied)
body. The subtle anatomy of the humans is divided into five energetic
sheaths known as ‘pancha kosha’. Pancha, meaning five and kosha,
meaning layer or sheath. To explain these layers, I got out my Winnie
The Pooh nesting doll-which by luck has exactly 5 layers. The
outermost layer is Pooh, then Tigger, Eeyore, Owl and finally Piglet.
- (Winnie
the Pooh Body) Annamaya Kosha (Food Sheath/Physical Body)- This
describes the physical body composed from the five elements but
mainly from food and water. With this layer you experience awareness
of sensation. Imbalance can be experienced by: muscle
tension, too much or too little body weight, obsession with
appearance. To balance: Eat a simple diet, rich in organic
foods and unprocessed food and do twists.
- (Tigger
Body) Pranamaya Kosha (Pranic or Energy Sheath)-The
Pranic or Energy Sheath, comprises the prana
vayus*,
nadis**
and the chakras***.
Prana,
the vital breath which man lives by, is the bridge between the gross
and subtle bodies as well as between the other koshas. Imbalance:
nervous stress, anxiety, shortness of breath, depression, ADHD,
exhaustion. Balance:
pranayama,
foreword bends for anxiety, backbends for depression.
- (Eeyore
Body) Manomaya Kosha (Mental or psycho-emotional Sheath)–
Consists of thoughts and emotions. Expressed by ego and personality.
Imbalance: fear, vengefulness, clinging attachment, mental
illness. Balance: visualization, meditation, mantra chanting,
inversions.
- (Owl Body) Vijnyanamaya
Kosha (Intellectual Sheath)– Governs intuition. Created by
instinct. Imbalance: lack of trust, arrogance, lack of
empathy, malcontent. Balance: walking and sitting
meditations, solitude, spiritual study, and headstand.
- (Piglet Body) Anandamaya
Kosha (Bliss Sheath)- The ‘bliss sheath’ is the seat of the
inner essence or self and is where we metabolize our experience of
Samadhi or a higher level of concentrated meditation. The mind is
said to rest in its intrinsic natural state which is pure bliss. In
reality (or spiritually) there are no imbalances at this level as
the mind is free from ‘chitta vrittis’ or mental confusions and
distractions; yet…Imbalance: ungrounded, unfocused,
suicidal thoughts. Balance: use all strategies.
*Prana
is the force/energy that is in our body which brings forth life. Vayu
means winds. Prana viyus are energy winds inside the body.
**
Nāḍis
are
the channels through which, in traditional Indian medicine and
spiritual science, the energies of the subtle
body are
said to flow. They connect at special points of intensity called
chakras.
***Chakra
means “wheel” or “circular motion”. They are the psychic
centers located in ascending order along the shushumna nadi (the
spine) and are part of the nadi (“little rivers or streams”)
system of yoga.
We
started class lying in constructive rest, hands on belly, just
noticing breath. I gave an intention for the practice which was that
we were going to give our yoga practice our wholehearted
attention-training the mind to regain its ability to be undistracted.
This will help them to remain aware and conscious throughout the
practice. I also began to explain how to do Ujjayi breath or Victory
breath. With breaths in and out through the nostrils, I first had
them imagine that the breath was coming from the soft spot directly
in the middle of their collar bones, at the base of their throat. I
explained the sound was audible only to themselves but it should have
a soft oceanic pulse. Imagine they are really Darth Vader but they do
not want anyone to know so making Darth Vader breath “silently”.
From constructive rest, we moved on to an easy twist, something I
learned in Svaroopa yoga, which I like a lot. Standing, breathing up
and down from Up Mountain to Bent Over Forward Bend using the inhale
to lift us and the exhale as we descended. This establishes a
coordination of breath and movement. High lunge on both sides ending
with Downward Facing Dog. Of course we had to try 3 legged dog with
some leg wags and barks! As we began to use our breath more, I
encouraged them to try their Ujjayi breathing. I also reminded them
of our class intention, just a few subtle reminders and they kept on
track. We then did Triangle, Tree and then Half -Moon, even going for
a foot hold, which some people call Sugar Cane Pose...I just call it
“Wheeeeee”! Sitting back down, Bound Angle Pose, to Revolved
Head-to- Knee Pose, with Karate Chop action...taking the opposite
arm, lifting it high by your ear and then bending over and karate
chopping towards the pinky toe side of the extended leg to a
simplified version of Marichyasana III. Of course, I threw in a
number of Child's Poses throughout.
What
came next was unplanned, but grew into the perfect activity to tie in
the koshas. We lay the yoga blocks out in a pattern, like stepping
stones. As each person began their trail, they would take the first
block with them and then add it to the end of the trail, reshaping
the shape. To make this an exercise in concentration, I first had
them say “So” “Hum” as they walked, one syllable for each
step. We then internalized this and it became a silent walking
meditation. They had to pay attention to their feet or they wold fall
off the blocks. The shape moved around and ended up heading into the
kitchen, where after each block placement, they would walk around the
kitchen island and back to the head of the trail. The shape slithered
through the kitchen, back out again and across the floor, to the
supply closet, where the carefully placed each block back in place
and then quietly went back to their mats for Final Relaxation. This
unplanned activity lasted a good 15 minutes. They all worked
together, silently, and the joy and happiness radiated from within.
I
love yoga!
¡Ole!
¡Namaste!
Here are some Baboushka coloring pages and crafts:
