All About the Breath

  

YOGA THERAPY

 for the anxious child 

For any human adult, child, or animal for that matter; pent up energy and emotion when suppressed, is volatile.  We often see cases of children who have chronic pain, skin conditions, insomnia, night horrors, anxiety, or any number of maladaptive behaviors, that regardless of professional help, careful dietary regimes and love, continue to suffer and in-turn, diminish the souls of these precious and sensitive creatures.

Our bodies tell the story of our pain. For some children, daily life is a simple routine of eating, schooling and playing. For others it is a constant negotiation of their environment, interactions and physical being. It is heartbreaking to see a child retreat from a bright star into an insecure shadow.  Needless to say it is also heartbreaking for them as they helplessly observe their decline into fear and frustration. The frustration at their own inability to, "pull their socks up, to try and go to school today", and the endless blood tests, play therapy appointments and parent-teacher meetings. 

Very much like adults, it is difficult for children to identify the cause of deep-seated fears, or reoccurring pain but they do bear witness to it.  They are on hyper-alert, extra sensory and extra sensitive. This makes them more awkward and different. Feelings of worry and fear become trapped in their little bodies until they must be purged. Usually purging these fears manifests in unhealthy ways.

This is where yoga comes into play.  The core essence of yoga is Pranayama; a Sanskrit word for life force. The life force of a child is disrupted in times of emotional and psychological stress. In yogic terms the chakras my be partially or even fully blocked which can lead to shallow or irregular breath.  As a result a child could suffer from uncertainty and approach the world with unrealistic negativity or caution. Pranayama practice serves to lengthen and regulate the breath, which then nourishes the body, the mind and quietens the soul.

By learning to breathe, a child has the ability to facilitate their own healing, their own recovery. A child can learn to take back control. Benefits also include, increased vitality and an expansion of the spirit, like a desert flower in the rain. It brings mental clarity and perspective.  Nothing in life is simple or clear cut and I am not advocating that practice of Pranayama will be the cure all but I would certainly suggest that learning to breath creates harmony between the overactive mind, the sick body and fatigued spirit.

Try some yoga therapy and Pranyama with your child. Perhaps a yoga teacher could introduce the whole family to fun techniques such as Shining Skull Breath, or Alternate Nostril Breathing.

Be strong little ones

Rise and shine

Breathe deep and pray 

I am not my thoughts

I am not my thoughts

I am not my thoughts

or

I am everything I need to be

I am so much more than I can see

I am everything i need to be

you can order this set of 12 mantra's for beautiful children at my website www.veroniqueotooleyoga.com