Twelve kids in Savasana (Resting Pose) lying quietly on yoga mats with eye pillows in a sunlit studio

When Resting Pose Becomes Real: Safety, Breath, and Deep Rest for Kids

by Sedef Dion, E-RYT 500, RCYT

I love what I do. Every teaching experience fulfills me and gives me joy. I want to share what happened a few weeks ago during Resting Pose.

I have been going to one of the homeless shelters in metro Atlanta to teach children ages 4 to 12. These kids are exhausted and deal with so much on a daily basis. Life for them is very challenging on many levels. I was told by the shelter director that they truly look forward to our 45 minute yoga sessions. 

A Simple Mantra for Self-Regulation: “Inhale I AM, Exhale OK”

During our yoga class we did some heart opening back bends, as well as some heart melting poses. Then it was time for Resting Pose. They were on their backs settling just like sand would be on the bottom of the ocean. Yes, even for Resting Pose there is a certain effort that then leads to total surrender and relaxation. I was directing them to pay attention to their breath and repeat a short but powerful mantra. Inhale I AM, exhale OK.

Within minutes 16 kids were in Resting Pose. They all fell into a very deep sleep. After about 6 minutes I began trying to bring them back so we would finish our class. None of them were able wake up! Two of the other shelter teachers and I tried super hard to wake them up. It looked as if I had drugged them! They weren’t even moving. It took about 10 minutes for them to come out of Resting Pose.

Reflection for Caregivers and Teachers: Why Rest Builds Resilience

So, when hearts open and emotions flow; when one feels safe and secure, resting and sleeping become easy and natural. I witnessed that. It happened right in front of my eyes.

May all the children feel safe and secure

May all the children have a place to call home.

May all the children know that home is within.

Inhale I AM; exhale OK.

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More to Explore

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    TerrificCharlotte’s Web is a celebration of the quiet virtues. It reminds us to keep a soft tender heart, accept our true nature, and value the unique gifts of our friends. The two main characters of Charlotte’s Web, Charlotte and Wibur, highlight the awareness of our own unique inner story.

    Charlotte, the spider, represents our highest self who provides wisdom and help from above. She reminds us that we are never alone. She provides a higher, bigger perspective from her vantage point high up in the rafters. She brings a calm wisdom into an anxious situation, bolstering Wilbur’s self image by spelling out his best aspects. She represents our INHALE.

    Become sensitive and aware of your breath.

    Wibur, the pig, represents our vulnerable self that is at the center of our awareness. Wilbur is consistently caring and engaging. He forms a bond with Charlotte because he sees her beauty. He is accepting and compassionate and joyfully celebrates life. He represents our EXHALE.

  • Shames, Shames, Go Away! And Don’t Come Back Another Day!

    Inspired by Yoga Sutra 2.16 Heyam dukham anagatam

     

    Avoidable is the sufferingshames regrets doubts
    that has not yet to come~
    That feeling of shame
    That sticks like chewed gum.

    How do we get through places
    That are stuck deep inside?
    Where the holdings, the collections
    The patterns reside?

    The patterns of feeding
    Our suction cupped shames~
    With secrets and silence
    And judgements and blames.

    Attract the energy of movement~
    And comfort with movement~
    Comfort with change~
    Comfort with improvement.

    Create space between impulseZI60-Hands-Button
    And action that binds~
    The stuck feelings that resists
    Our meetings of minds.

    Space is the experience
    Of minds open and bright
    The Wisdom of Grace
    Is filled up with light.

    Grace is the knowing
    Our mistakes serve an aim~
    Instead of allowing
    Our mistakes to serve shame.

    So to prevent future suffering~
    And the feeding of shames~
    Create a steady practice
    Of breath work and aims.

    Here’s a mantra for you
    To embody and embed~
    Press thumb into each finger
    And say in your head~

    {I inhale to prepare~shames 2
    I exhale to share~
    I inhale to release blame~
    I exhale to transform shame~*}

    {Repeat 11 times}~

    Keep your sitting bones rooted.
    Slowly rotate your core ~
    Counterclockwise 3 rounds
    Your breath? Don’t ignore!

    Inhale going backwards,
    Exhale going forward .
    Your movements ride on your
    breath~

    TS24 big

    It’s pretty straight forward.

    Pause and move clockwise.
    Repeat 11 times.
    Close eyes and listen.
    To your heart beat like chimes.

    Find someone you know,
    You love and you trust
    Show them your shames
    And watch your blames turn to dust.

    May we have what it takes
    To transform all our shames~
    To allow our mistakes
    To serve our Great Aim~

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