We always always always always end class with a Savasana. This may be the only quiet time that they get all day, and they need time to recharge. Two things I know about kids is that they need to play and they need to rest. A good yoga class will offer both of these to the children. We spend most of the class jumping and moving and stretching and singing. The last few moments of class provide time to rest.
It is not always easy, but it's important to do it anyway. There are lots of ways to help the children settle their bones and calm their minds. First thing I have them do is lay down on their backs, legs relaxed, arms to their sides and palms facing up. I tell them to "Get floppy." I tell them to let go of all their strength and be like a floppy stuffed animal. Then I go around and pick up their wrists gently and wave their arms side to side, reminding them again to let go and get floppy. I do the same with their legs.
After everyone is fully flopped, I begin the relaxation time. Sometimes I have calm music playing and I ask them questions about the music. "Who is creating this music? What instrument is making this noise? Where is the person who is playing this music? On a mountain top? In a large building? At the beach? Is anyone else around? Is anyone dancing?" etc.
Often times I create a scene, or "an imagination" as my daughter calls it.
Imagine you are in a jungle, full of the tallest trees you've ever seen. Some of the trees have delicious looking fruit hanging from them. The jungle floor is soft and lush and flowers are everywhere you look. See the vibrant colors of the flowers. Smell the air. Hear the songs of the birds as they fly way up overhead. Imagine you start to walk and take a look around. Go explore. Maybe you find a river and you see bright pink fish swimming about. Maybe you come to a very still pond and you see a shiny green frog waiting patiently for a fly. Look around your jungle. What do you see?
Then you let them lie still for a few moments in silence, imagining their way around their jungle.
Another one is Deer Island.
Imagine you are in the woods and there are Christmas trees and tall green grass all around you. You walk to a sunny spot and take a seat. Next to you is a calm river, full of cool crystal clear water. This is your favorite spot in the woods, because this is where the deer like to come. You have brought apples for them. You have a red, juicy apple in each hand. You see a mama deer with her two baby fawns off in the distance. You know just what to do. You lie back and keep very still. The only way these deer will trust you and come over to you is if you hold still. (Let the kids lie still now for a few minutes.) You hear the sound of the hooves get closer and suddenly you feel the soft silky warm noses of the deer nudge your fingertips. You smile as they gently take the apples from your palms. You begin to slowly move your hands and feet and the deer run off with their snacks.
Any story works, as long as it is peaceful and the children have time to envision what you say. Tell them to see your words in their minds.
Sometimes I do not create a scene, but we focus on the breath only.
Body Points:
Starting at the top of the head, breathe in.
Exhale down to the right leg.
Inhale back to the head. Exhale to the left leg.
Inhale to the head. Exhale to the back.
Inhale to the head. Exhale to the tummy.
Inhale to the head. Exhale to the heart.
etc.
Color Cloud:
Imagine a wispy, fluffy cloud and make it any color you choose. When you breathe in, imagine this color filling up the inside of your nose, then breathe it out. On your next breath in, fill up your nose and your throat. Breathe it out. On your next breath in, fill up your nose and your throat and your chest. Breathe it out. With each breath in, the color fills you up more. Each breath is fuller and deeper than the last, until your whole body is full of your color. And with every exhale, breathe the color out completely.
Flower Heart:
Imagine a flower in your heart. What kind of flower is it? See the color. Smell the flower? With every breath you take, imagine the flower opening petal by petal. With every exhale, see your roots digging deeper into the soil. As you breathe in, the flower grows bigger and bigger with each breath. As you breathe out, your roots grow stronger and deeper down.
You can also tell them to imagine they are resting on a cloud and describe what this would feel like.
The cloud is so fluffy and soft. Feel this cloud under you. It's just like a little bed. A bed that is perfectly floating in the sky. Here on your cloud you have no worries. Nothing to do. The cloud gently floats through the sky, carrying you safely wherever it goes.
Or tell them to imagine they are laying on the sand at the beach.
Imagine you are lying on the beach. The big blue sky and warm sun are above you. Soft sand is below you. Imagine the sand filling up your toes and feet. Your toes and feet get so heavy filled with sand that they relax completely and sink deeper into the earth. You can't move your toes and feet. Imagine the sand filling up your ankles and legs. Your ankles and legs get so heavy filled with sand that they relax completely and sink deeper into the earth. You can't move your ankles and legs. Imagine the sand filling up your hips and belly. Your hips and belly get so heavy filled with sand that they relax completely and sink deeper into the earth. You can't move your hips and belly. Imagine the sand filling up your back and chest. Your back and chest get so heavy filled with sand that they relax completely and sink deeper into the earth. You can't move your back and chest. Imagine the sand filling up your arms and hands and fingers. Your arms and hands and fingers get so heavy filled with sand that they relax completely and sink deeper into the earth. You can't move your arms and hands and fingers. Imagine the sand filling up your neck and head. Your neck and head get so heavy filled with sand that they relax completely and sink deeper into the earth. You can't move your neck and head. You are so relaxed and heavy and peaceful. Let go and sink into the earth.
Use your imagination. Just close your eyes and breathe and imagine. Describe what you see to the children. Take your time and speak softly. Do not point out who is moving if you can help it. Perhaps after class you may ask them what they were thinking of and why they had a tough time being still.
When our relaxation is over, I tell them to wiggle their fingers and toes and return to criss-cross applesauce with eyes closed. Then I close the class by thanking them for coming and sharing their light with me. I always end with a "Namaste." Then we almost always color and most children will draw what they experienced in their minds during Savasana.
