Wake-up Yoga

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Permalink Reply by Steve on March 12, 2009 at 11:41pm

Fathers are asking too, Angel! Some small advice?

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Permalink Reply by angel Hudepohl on March 14, 2009 at 9:01pm

HI Steve ... as I've just said to Alina, "still just waking up!!". : ). Get back to you soon

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Permalink Reply by angel Hudepohl on March 14, 2009 at 8:59pm

Hi Alina ... I'm still waking up :-)) !!! just let me think about it till the weekend's over.

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Permalink Reply by Alina on March 14, 2009 at 10:50pm

I hope it's nice beauty nap:-)

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Permalink Reply by angel Hudepohl on March 15, 2009 at 5:51pm

Hi Everyone

I'm mindful that it's taken me a little longer than I'd anticipated in answering your question; and rather than have you wait any longer, here is a brief reply.

Depending on how long you have been doing Yoga, Sirsasana (Headstand) is wonderful for getting 'everything' going in the morning (but NOT for beginners).

Add to this several rounds of Surya Namaskar (Salute to the Sun) (depending on how much time you have), and Kapalabhati Pranayam . .. finishing with couple of minutes in Savasana to let the body functions return to normal. 15/20 minutes of the above will definitely have you feeling like a 'live wire'. There'll be no stopping you - full of joy and energy as you walk out the door. :-) ...........................................................................


and here are some suggestions for 10 minutes of Yoga fun for the 'pre-pubescents' (under 12?) ................
The amazingly knowledgeable Swami Satyananda says … keep children’s practice at home SHORT; keep it DYNAMIC (no holding of the poses); DO NOT control the breath while doing the postures - let it flow naturally; (and I humbly add: let the practice be 10 minutes of fun - inspire your child :-)).

In each of the following poses they (and you) will either twist the spine, or stretch it forwards, backwards, or to the side; while Mountain Pose keeps you checking your posture. You might enjoy incorporating some of these poses and the pranayam into your children's practice occasionally… Lion Pose; Humming Bee Pranayam; Mountain Pose (Tadasana); Triangle Pose (Trikonasana); Cobra (Bhujangasana); Downward Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana) (you’ll have them falling about laughing if you tell them to lift their leg in this pose - and then ask them what they think the dog’s doing??); And don't just do the Cobra pose with them - but be the most venomous, dangerous snake around!! Oh … and don’t forget the Owl Pose (with sound, of course :-)).

At the end, even if it’s only for ONE minute, make sure you lie together in ‘Floating on a Cloud Pose’ ( Savasana, or Corpse Pose). Encourage your child to close his eyes, be still and calm, and pretend that his body is floating on a cloud.

And finally … CONNECT!! Give your child a hug :-) and thank him for practising with you. Get his feedback by asking him what he enjoyed the most. And … be open to your child's response.
Namaste

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Permalink Reply by Alina on March 15, 2009 at 10:57pm

Angel, thank you! It's very much of an answer! I have to need it sink and see in practice what I will use. I noticed that children do some yoga-things naturally. We talked once about trees and than they just stood spontaniously in the Tree pose!

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Permalink Reply by angel Hudepohl on March 16, 2009 at 12:06am

yes Alina ... and I found they just love all the animal poses :-)..

Just enjoy it.

Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Alina on March 22, 2009 at 11:23pm

We tried today some yoga together, it just have to come spontaniously. We ended up thinking own exercises up - combination of my yoga and boys' Aikido. They were really disapointed I didn't want to crawl backwards the whole length of the room... But the Lion and the Dog were absolutelly succes!

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Permalink Reply by angel Hudepohl on March 23, 2009 at 9:18am

aah, come on Alina :-) ... if they'll do the Dog and th Lion with you, then YOU have to crawl backwards (to anywhere they suggest! lol

Have fun. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Alina on March 23, 2009 at 10:35pm

You sound so enthousiast! Do you want to join for some crawling backwards:-)?

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Permalink Reply by angel Hudepohl on March 25, 2009 at 3:46pm

thank you for the invitation, Alina - can't think of anything I'd rather do:-)). You always learn something from the children, eh? And your kids sound like natural teachers! With their sense of humour, they might like the Owl pose. Are you familiar with it?? It's such a beautiful, gentle twist for the spine. I think they'll like it if they hear you adding the sound effects (hoot, hoot) :-))

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