8 Limbs of Yoga for Kids - Week 2: Niyamas

This week we go a little more internally with the Niyamas. The Niyamas are all about self-awareness. When we practice yoga, it is most important that we listen to our bodies. When reaching for our toes, it's okay if we don't quite make it. Sure, some kids can reach the bottom of their foot in a forward bend, but that's not important. All that matters is that we are on our mats moving and breathing how we feel comfortable. We do yoga to feel good in our bodies! Not to push ourselves into poses that don't feel good! We may really want to get into a pose, but we won't always get there on the first try. Yoga is a practice - a self study. It is not to be rushed.

When we practice yoga, it is good every once and awhile to stop when we're in a pose, and do a body check - How am I feeling? Am I going too deep or not deep enough? How is my heart beat? Am I breathing? We want to feel happy and content in all of our poses. When we learn to figure out ways to be happy and comfortable on our mats...we ultimately learn to find ways to be happy and comfortable off our mats. And perhaps we need some aid along the way...on our mats we learn to use props - blocks and straps - to help us find comfort in the poses. Just like in life, we learn to ask for help when we need it.

It is so important for use to pay attention to our bodies in everything we do. How we place our feet. How we place our hands. And for the littlest yogis...we started that small. Our Yoga Hands are most important in this world.

"I spread my fingers wide and place them gently. Watching how I move, I do so quietly.

My hands will help. My hands will care. My hands will rise above.

My hands will always do good things because they're filled with love."