The Power of Energy Awareness in Teaching Meditation

Energy awareness and kids with SEN

Meditation for children and teens has been embraced by the worldwide community. But one essential tool often goes unnoticed: energy awareness.

This is the essence of our work here at Connected Kids and is especially important when working with children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) or trauma. This level of understanding can help harness the subtleties of energy and can profoundly enhance our teaching and their learning experiences.

How can energy awareness make a difference?

At Connected Kids, we’re passionate about imparting the art of meditation to children, empowering them with tools for self-regulation, focus, and emotional resilience. Our approach isn’t just about teaching techniques; it’s about fostering a deep awareness of the energetic dynamics at play within and around us during the personal journey of learning meditation.

The meditation and medical community are dedicated to establishing the logic and reasoning behind the benefits of meditation for young people. However the subtle awareness of energy brings an advanced level to the experience:

Sensitivity to Individual Needs: Children with SEN often have heightened sensitivities to their environment, including energetic stimuli. By cultivating energy awareness, we can attune ourselves to their unique needs, creating a safe and supportive space for their practice. Whether it’s adjusting the pace, tone, or sensory inputs, this heightened sensitivity allows us to tailor our approach to suit each child, fostering a sense of inclusivity and empowerment.
Facilitating Emotional Regulation: Emotions are energy in motion, and for children with SEN, navigating this energetic terrain can be particularly challenging. Energy awareness equips us with the ability to recognise and respond to the subtle shifts in a child’s emotional state, guiding them towards greater self-awareness and regulation. Through practices such as grounding techniques, breathwork, and visualisation, we can help children channel their energy in constructive ways, fostering emotional resilience and inner calm.
Creating Harmonious Group Dynamics: Teaching meditation to children often involves working in group settings, where the collective energy of the space significantly influences the learning experience. By cultivating energy awareness within ourselves and guiding children to do the same, we can create an environment where harmony and coherence prevail. Techniques such as mindful listening, empathetic communication, and group energy-balancing exercises help foster a sense of unity and mutual support, enriching the collective journey of self-discovery and growth.

Top 3 tips to become energy aware

Personal Practice: Cultivate your own energy awareness through daily mindfulness practices. Tune into the subtle sensations within your body using the senses and step beyond this to observe how your energy interacts with your environment (people and places) – pay particular notice to when you are feeling ungrounded.
Observation: Observe the energetic dynamics present in your teaching space and the children you work with. Notice any shifts in energy and how they impact the learning environment. Pay attention to colour, shape, clutter and your own emotional state as you enter the space.
Intention Setting: Set clear intentions for your sessions, focusing on creating a harmonious and supportive atmosphere. Infuse your teaching with integrity and gratitude and if that isn’t possible, notice the response in children when you don’t feel the energy of gratitude or integrity.

Why does energy awareness matter?

Energy awareness is not just a concept; it’s a transformative practice that holds the power to deepen our connection with ourselves and the children we serve. By cultivating this awareness, we can create a nurturing and empowering learning environment where every child, regardless of their abilities, can thrive.

In the Connected Kids programme, in addition to explaining the researched benefits of meditation, we incorporate awareness of energy through the Chakra system – to aid both the children we teach and the accredited meditation teachers we train.

“several scholars in the West have attempted to link the chakras with anatomical locations in the physical body. For example, the chakras have been theorized to align with several major nerve plexuses and endocrine glands.”

YogaU Online, January 2020

“These studies, though few in number, suggest that the chakras may be scientifically delineated, similar to acupuncture points and meridians which have unique electrical properties (Ahn et al., 2008) and possible anatomical correlates (Bai et al., 2011). “

Is there scientific evidence for chakras?2022

Interested in an ‘energy awareness’ meditation?

If you would like to try one of our energy awareness meditations that we practice at Connected Kids (and which connects into the essence of the work we do, you can listen for free.

How our Meditation Teacher Course Helps Professionals

For educators or professionals seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of meditation skills for children, the Connected Kids Professional Course offers a comprehensive and accredited learning experience. This certificated course provides professional tools and strategies to train you as a meditation teacher for children and teens.

Professional Resources