Grounded at the skate park…and I’m seven!
Last week my seven year old son participated in a Grounded Quest for Elevation Yoga camp and was asked to contribute a blog post on how Grounded has changed his approach to situations….here it is…in his own words…
Last week was a week filled with yoga camp and the skate park. I went to the skate park almost every day after camp. This was my first time skating at the park. My first day there I mostly observed. The second day I was feeling scared but brave at the same time. I went to the top of the ramp. My friend was cheering me on. Suddenly, my skate board slipped out from under me and got stuck to another skater’s board. I said to him, “It’s almost like they’re getting married.” He didn’t say anything back. He walked away with the two boards stuck together, then threw my skate board on the floor. Grounding Tip: I didn’t say anything back to the focused, but ungrounded skater. Instead, I stayed grounded and walked away. I picked up my skateboard and walked back up the ramp. I told my friend, “What’s up with him?” With my friend cheering me on, I decided to give the ramps a try. Finally, I went down the ramp. I asked my friend, “Did you see me?” He said, “Yeah!” He said, “Go do the bigger ramps.” I did and they were so much fun. After going down all the ramps I felt really good. I am no longer afraid. Grounded lesson: I walked away and I didn’t allow the skater dude to keep me from trying the ramps.
Chakra-Man: The Official Grounded Super Hero
In celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday we learned how to work our feet and our hands. Just as Suess’ Mr. Brown Can Moo!, Mrs. Cat can MEOW! In “Mrs. Cat Can Meow! Can You?” A Poem of Wacky, Wonderful Noises – While Clawing the Mat we allowed our inner animal out on the mat while paying close attention to our hands and feet. Are they wacky? Are they flat? Are they clawing the mat? When practicing this wacky flow while making Suesserrific noises you too will learn the importance of clawing the mat. In playing “Stop Foot, Go” (a zany spin on the all time favorite game, Musical Chairs) and studying the 4 corners of our feet we checked on our left foot and our right foot making sure they were fuzzy fur feet. While “Roaring”, “split – splatting” and “meowing” along with Mrs. Cat we learned that when our four paws are aligned we feel more steady, more grounded, and in balance with the universe.
Have you ever felt not worthy? Maybe you lacked Self-love or maybe you didn’t surround yourself with goodness at the time. Who we surround ourselves with is who we become. If we surround ourselves with downers we begin to feel down. If we surround ourselves with happy, joyous, and delightful people we become more happy and joyful. If we were to eat junk food every single day we would begin to feel down and ucky. When we eat healthier we experience delight and Self-love. Honor Your Self! Surround yourself with goodness. “The first step toward awareness is being willing to look at yourself and your life without judgment or self-criticism.” (Iyanla Vanzant) Awareness opens the heart to new possibilities.