Focus Five: Prepare to Thrive and Feel Alive
Written by
Lillarose, Grounded Student, Age 10
(Grounded elevating student since age 3.)
It was a rainy day… A perfect day to do yoga to set my day straight and to breath in my emotions. Sometimes we feel happiness, sometimes we feel sadness,
Sun and Moon Flow by Ben, Max, Zachary, and Jaden
Four boys, ages 5-8, came together to create a yoga sequenced flow appropriate for when we are in an overly energetic, jumping out of our skin state, but want (or are told) to get to a calm, focused state. They were passionate, patient and proud of their creation and energetically worked together.
Create Your Own Deck of Cards
“Whatever follows I AM will find you.” This sentiment can be expressed in so many ways. “Like attracts like,” “Energy follows thought.” However we choose to express it, the belief that our thoughts influence how we feel, act and interact in the world is undeniable. This idea is a rich theme and one I’ve explored deeply in Grounded classes. The following activity can serve as an introduction, a culminating project, or an ongoing art activity throughout a class series. These beautifully telling photos are from a special 3 hour Grounded gathering with some of my long time students and a few brand new ones. 
Roadmap to Lucidity
Or
The map to LUCIDITY
Inspired by Yoga Sutra 1.33 which reads:
maitri karuna mudita upeksanam sukha duhkha punya apunya
visayanam bhavanatah cittaprasadanam
The map to LUCIDITY?
YES! Have you heard?
Takes four states to get there~
Not that absurd.
The first is of FRIENDSHIP
toward those who are happy.
Even when you feel distant,
resistance and slappy.
The second is of COMPASSION
toward those in distress.
Tough when annoyed,
imposed on and stressed.
The third is of JOY
toward those who are good
through roadblocks of useless
and misunderstood.
The fourth is of EQUANIMITY
toward those who are foul
who are lacking in virtue,
and react with a growl.
Here in our mapping
Four residents are mentioned.
How we perceive them
Is our fierce contention.
Our attitudes we go for
From composure to kind~
Get us closer to LUCIDITY
Where we STABILIZE our mind.
Memorize these four~
And observe in daily life.
During times of quiet,
Noise, and even strife.
So buckle up~
And prepare for a ride~
To align your attitude,
And try the untried.
Close your eyes~
Feel the state you are in~
Soften your heart~
your throat, and your skin.
Drop your breath
right into your heart~
It’s made up of LOVE~
And that’s where you start.
Inhale with the thought~
May I be friendly~
Exhale with the thought~
May I give friendship.
.
May I be COMPASSIONATE
with your next inhale
May I give COMPASSION
with your next exhale.
Inhale with the thought~
May I have JOY~
Exhale with the thought~
May I give JOY.
May I have EQUANIMITY
with your inhale.
May I give CALMNESS
with your exhale.
When someone comes to mind
Offer these prayers
No matter their issues,
Their stains, or their stares.
May you be LOVING~
May you be LOVED ~
May you be PEACEFUL~
May you give PEACE~
Your states of envy and mean
Get smaller each time~
Intolerance is removed
You get closer to SUBLIME.
Once your mind is CLEAR,
And you’re CENTERED and FREE
Skillfulness in ACTION
Will be … Will be~