BENEFITS OF MEDITATION FOR KIDS

An increasing number of children have been showing elevated signs of stress, restlessness and anxiety starting at a very early age. We know Meditation is a great tool to find peace and balance, that's why we enjoy our practice. Now how do we get our kids to love meditation, too?

Here are some meditation techniques and tips that can work for the kids-

1. BECOME THE CHANGE - Kids are prone to copying the behavior of their parents. So starting them on a meditation journey can be as simple as leading by example. When your kids observe you in meditation, it sets a tone that children can learn from and enjoy starting their day in silence.

2.PRACTICE SILENCE - Schedule a day or even a couple of hours to dedicate to silence. You can turn it into a game, "Who can be the quietest ?" And when you do break the silence, create a fun game or song with words like love,kindness and good intent.

3. LEARN TO LET GO- Teaching meditation to children is about learning. They do not always respond in the way we want them to. We can guide them on how to sit,  close their eyes and so on. Give them something to look at on the floor if they are seated or on the ceiling if they are lying down.

4. PRANAYAMA (breathing exercises) - Breath is connected to prana (life-force energy) and oxygenates every cell in our body . Here are a few breathing techniques that are favorites among the kids-

a)  ujjayi(victorious breath) : Explore practicing the "deep ocean sound " at the back of the throat, while taking deep belly breaths. It truly calms and settles their energy.

b) Nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breath) : This is said to balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain -leading to better cognitive development.

c) Kapalbhati (shining breath) : They have fun watching their bellies as they push the air out of their mouth while drawing their abdomen in at the same time.

5. YOGA - There's nothing like doing yoga as a family. Sun Salutations are a fun and generally easy form of yoga to practice together. It helps to keep the energy channels of the body open and flowing properly, preventing a host of diseases.

6. VISUALIZATION - This is a great bedtime routine. Yoga Nidra is an ancient practice that brings your awareness to different areas of the body while lying in stillness. It's super relaxing and helps prime for great dreams.

7. SING AND CHANT TOGETHER USING MANTRAS- Kids love to sing.  Chanting improves focus and concentration and has powerful effects on brain development. Here are few mantras that can be sing alongwith the kids :
- The Gayatri mantra has 24syllables, each of which is connected to a different part of the brain. It has been used to enhance intelligence and intuition.
- OM is the sound of the universe and divine intelligence. Allow your little ones to play with the tone and volume of their om's and go at their own pace.
-Chakra Toning - Hang up a chart or painting of the chakras. Point to the chakra and have them imagine the colour in that area of their body. Have them chant the mantra associated with that chakra.

8. GET CREATIVE - Here are a few other creative ways to incorporate meditation into your kids lives -

* Prepare a meditation space : Explore in nature and have your child pick a stone, fill a cup with water, burn a candle and use something like a feather to represent the air element. Put the elements in the center of the room. Sit in a circle around the elements and begin your meditation.

* Have them Gaze at a burning candle for a period of time, this can be a meditation practice in focus and discipline.

* Play  a Game where you place a book on their head and see how slowly and mindfully they can walk to the other side of the room.

Our Sadguru ARCHNA DIDIJI  always teaches us that the main goal is not to force your children to meditate, but to get them intrigued and accustomed to it. Make it a fun and positive experience throughout their childhood, so they are more likely to keep it up as a practice as they grow.