An easy way to teach kids yoga nidra (and improve sleep)
Yoga Nidra is my new favourite practice.
It’s so easy yet so relaxing and it helps me stay in touch with my body which (if I neglect it) becomes sore/achey due to the time I spend at the computer or slouched on the sofa watching Netflix!
It’s such a simple practice of going through different parts of the body and as it’s a practice that is all about lying down (compared to most meditation practices which are about sitting up), it is a wonderful aid to a restful night’s sleep!
Welcome and hope you find this blog useful in this strange and challenging time.
I don’t know about you, but life feels like we’ve been put on a roller coaster (without our permission) and we are on for a ride of ups and downs.
I’ve been practising meditation for over 30 years and even I feel tested to my limit by world events. However I have strong resillience, mentally and emotionally, because of my meditation practice. But I realise that many people (and children) are reeling from everything and don’t have lifeskills to help them through.
So our team of Connected Kids Tutors, Trainers and Students have decided to offer some meditation practices and mindful tips on this blogpost – to be used by you, your family or both.
These are free for you to use and share.
We know how much having this skill helps us (it’s why we teach people worldwide!) and we just want to share and help everyone have a little bit more peace of mind (and resillience) through this challenging journey.
We hope it helps and please let us know via our Facebook group, or Twitter or Facebook page (or ask us a question). We’ll be adding more on as they come through so remember to visit this page or join our social media to be kept informed.
Namaste
Lorraine E Murray – Founder and the Connected Kids Team
Listen to the meditation recordings (more to come). Watch the recordings and decide (or let your family choose) what feels best for you and your kids.
(Please note the quality of sound will vary as each person used whatever device they had to record from home!)
Tree of Protection Meditation for kids – by Connected Kids founder Lorraine Murray
Golden Spacesuit meditation for kids on the Autism spectrum – by Connected Kids founder Lorraine Murray
Straw breath-painting – breath work (create a rainbow) – by Sue Hurst
Mindful Breath ideas for young kids (under 10) to reduce anxiety – by Lorraine Murray
Sound Meditation to help boost immune system – by Gary Posner
A note from Gary... “Before you listen to the Immune Enhancing Tuning Fork Meditation. Close your eyes and start breathing. Feel each breath you take moving through your whole body. Feel your breath waking up in every cell in your body. ”
We would also suggest asking your kids to notice where they feel the sound in their body as they listen and breathe.
It’s the 2nd (the previous one is ‘Jim and the Universe‘) and they are a perfect read to help introduce mindful awareness in a fictional way for kids who have big changes/struggles.
Eva is about a girl (I’m guessing 10) who always gets into trouble at school and then has a big life change where her father dies.
Jim is about a 12 year old boy starting high school and how he meets someone who helps him (mindfully) cope with the pressures.
Both books really touch on the importance of gratitude, energy and how children can bring self awareness to their lives more mindfully to achieve their potential and have more self compassion and self esteem.
I simply loved them and know (having read them to kids we have in our care) how they really like them too.
I hope you enjoy them!
(P.S. I’ve just posted ‘5 mindful tips for the summer holidays’ on our FB page and group)
Getting started…
Take the Foundation course – to teach your kids and teens mindful meditation
Professional Training – to become a certified Kids Meditation Teacher
Teach Children Meditation Books – learn more about the benefits of meditation for kids including those with SEN/Autism/Anxiety/ADHD
Free Meditation downloads for children/teens/autism – created by the international trainer, expert and founder of Connected Kids programme.
