I have been working with Ken, this is true. I have found him to be a natural adept; I leave him seated, sometimes in the morning, I come back, he has not moved an inch – he is completely absorbed in the mantra. I asked him what his experience was like, and he just stared at me, said nothing: obviously it is beyond the ability to verbalize at the shtula level. Pure transcendence. I even at one point stuck a pin in his foot and held a BIC lighter to his head – he did not flinch. Incredible. He is an amazing meditator.
For many of us, a new year represents a blank slate, a Tabula Rasa. Imagine being able to “refresh” any or all areas of your life. Now visualize this table with two columns, Yes and No. You create your truest life by thoughtfully choosing what goes in the No column and what is a Yes. Everything you say YES to and everything you say NO to matters. What if your yes’s and no’s were tabulated and at the end of a day, week, year, lifetime, you could see how the data, otherwise known as your life, balanced out?
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.
I think it is safe to say that no one likes whining, but despite that fact, regardless of age we all find ourselves doing it. It creeps up on you suddenly, born out of a desire for something you don’t have, or to leave a place where you don’t want to be, or perhaps to…
There is a huge difference between going deep and going in. Deeply understanding and knowing something is not the same level of experience as ingesting or taking something in and transforming because of it.
(Inspired by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra Chapter II, v. 42 samtosad anuttamah sukhalabhah)
From contentment, Highest happiness is obtained Snow White’s Seven Dwarfs Are invited to explain….
Consider us each a chakra An energy gate of sorts That we open, clean and balance For optimal support.
Work on passing through The seven chakras {or gates} In order to visit the underworld And ascend to blissful states.
Let’s begin in MOUNTAIN with SLEEPY, Awaken abundant roots. Stand with both feet straight Ground heavy in your boots.
Each time you inhale, Think, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HERE. Each time you exhale, Root your feet a little deeper.
Reach up high with outstretched hands FORWARD FOLD and touch the ground. Prepare to balance GRUMPY Who needs some healthy bounds.
Whenever you breathe in, Think, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO FEEL. Each time you breathe out, Circle your hips like a water wheel.
Step your right foot back Into a STRAIGHT LEG LUNGE Here we balance DOPEY Soak up power, like a sponge.
Each time you take breath in, Think, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO ACT. Each time you release breath out, Stretch your belly with great tact.
Step your left foot back Press hips up into DOWNWARD DOG Open up to HAPPY Melt your heart free from smog.
Receive your in breath and Think, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO LOVE. Give your breath out Feel Unworthiness? Get RID of!
Shift forward into PLANK So BASHFUL can get clear. Soften your throat back And open up your ears.
Each time you breathe in Think, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK WORDS. Each time you breathe out Say, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD.
Lower knees, chest and chin GRATITUDE for SNEEZY’s insight and vision. Draw back of eyes toward back of head To focus on decisions.
Each breath in Think, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEE. Each breath out Cross your eyes to a degree.
Stretch your crown forward and up To balance DOC in SNAKE Straighten legs behind you, Connect to what’s awake.
Each time you breathe in Think, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW Each time you breathe out Stretch from head to toe.
Lower back down Prepare to pose in reverse Remember your rights Remember to immerse.
SNAKE back to GRATITUDE Breathe into your poses Up PLANK to DOWN DOG Your rights are like roses.
STRAIGHT LEG LUNGE to FORWARD FOLD And back up to MOUNTAIN Keep moving and grooving Till your rights flow like fountains.
When we know our rights, And pass through chakra gates~ We develop a sense of contentment And more deeply relate.
Happiness is indeed obtainable. When we follow the path of contentment Accept the ups and the downs of our very own presentment.
May we be content with GRUMPY work Or no work at all~ DOPEY or HAPPY states BASHFUL or baseball.
May we be content when SLEEPY Or wide awake~ SNEEZY or Doc It’s our right~For Goodness Sake!
Grounded Kids Yoga 115 Milton Park Court, Alpharetta, GA 30022
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Grounded Kids Yoga provides in-person and online training, professional development workshops, and ongoing support for educators, parents, and clinicians. We specialize in kids yoga, mindfulness, social-emotional learning (SEL), trauma and pain management, emotional regulation, and impulse control for preschool through high school students. Each year, we serve thousands of children and teens through school programs, after-school enrichment yoga clubs, summer camps, Girl Scouts, 4-H conferences, and yoga studios across Atlanta, the Southeast, and nationwide.