Making it Personal

Jedi Warrior Pose builds confidence!

One of my favorite aspects of my work is the family interactions during private yoga sessions. The students and the families give me such insight and it is a great thing for me to learn something unique and personal from every family I work with.

Last summer, I created a customized, adaptive yoga program for a young man based on "Star Wars", something he loved and understood. He responded so well to many of the activities and characters, especially the imagery of the "Stormtroopers" (disrupters)  "Jedis" (restorers of Peace). I made up a daily sequence for him to practice to help him build strength, balance and to feel more in control of situations and transitions.

The set was a series of  "Warrior" poses, and I called it the "Jedi Sequence".  There was a poem that went with it that we called the Jedi Chant. Jack has used this set and its imagery in situations at school, as a familiar way to maintain or regain a sense of inner calm during turmoil or when he needs time to process a situation.

Sometimes, when working with children on the spectrum, its a challenge to explain the deeper concepts and self-evaluation that goes along with the asana (pose) practice. This is where family support is so vital to the process of learning yoga or any therapeutic/educational activity.

Jack's mother was recently telling someone about a situation:

"Monday afternoon, Jack explained to me that kids at school were being mean. Kids were butting in the bathroom line. I asked him if he told them to stop, they were being rude. He said no. I told him to stand up for himself, that it's okay to assert himself and say that something isn't right. If that doesn't work, then go to the teacher.

I was reminded of his 'Warrior Poses' from Barbara, Jack's "Jedi Sequence & Chant":

"I am Strong, I am Bold, My Own Power I can hold, I open My Heart, I protect My Soul, I spread Peace Wherever I go."

We've discussed this as a family many times before, but I think it's a mantra that can work for many of us, not just those with Special Needs.

We've explained it like this:

• I am Strong (in my brain and body)
• I am Bold (without fear, courageous)
• My Own Power I can hold (I can keep my emotions appropriate & not let anyone take my power from me. If I let a bully or a negative situation get to me, I am letting him take my power from me)
• I open My Heart (be loving)
• I protect my Soul (don't let anyone take advantage of you)
• I spread Peace Wherever I go (talk nicely, respect others).

This is what it means to us and our family."

This mom was able to help Jack understand a stressful situation, ways to navigate it and reduce his anxiety about it by beautifully personalizing the "Jedi" imagery.

The important thing to understand about yoga or any other method of  learning, for adults as well as children, is not so much to learn the activity, (in this case the poses) or even the rhyme. The "Chant" is just a way for the poses to be remembered in order. The poses or movements are a way for the body to understand the words. But the most powerful thing of all is that this family sat and talked about what it personally meant to them. They applied it to their life and a specific situation in such a way that the child could effectively use these tools.  This adds much more value to a generic lesson. Without that support and insight, the movement sequence is just that-another movement sequence. It must be meaningful to the individual practicing/doing it or they will not be engaged nor motivated to try/do it again.

This week, in every aspect of life, look for more ways to 'make it personal': build personal meaning into the activities, lessons and tools that you give to yourself , your students and children. This is ultimately how they will learn to broaden their problem solving skills and understand how to better navigate through the rough spots and overcome life's bigger challenges.

*I would be happy to send a copy of the "Jedi Sequence" to anyone who would like one. Please e-mail your request to:

barbara@bodylogique.com


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Breathing Games for Kids



Proper, steady & deep breathing makes all the difference in the way we move, think, recover, heal, & interact with others. In yoga, the breathing component is called pranayama.
When we hold or constrict the breath, we hold on to physical muscle tension, as well as mind tension & emotions that no longer serve us. When we release our breath, we also release physical tension, and emotions like fear, frustration, anger and resentment that prevent us from healthy growth, moving forward and enjoying our experiences and relationships. Yoga teaches us how to properly move and breathe together for optimum body/brain function, relaxation and to prepare the mind for extended periods of concentration.

From a sensory standpoint, breathing "into the belly" can help develop the sense of proprioception, (outer body awareness) and interoception (inner body awareness-what's going on inside of the body.) It can also be used as a tactile exercise: blowing on the hands after hand sanitizer has been used will give the skin a "cool" feeling.)

The other benefits of proper breathing are numerous. Here are just a few:

•improves oxygen flow
•Improves functioning of all body systems
•relieves congestion
•addresses muscle (and mind) spasms
•increases energy
•reduces fatigue
•enhances concentration
•eliminates toxins from the body more efficiently
•builds body awareness and self-control


The breath is a vital tool we all have with us at all times and it can be directed to self-regulate when needed. Teaching kids how to use their breath for relaxation, smooth transitions, concentration & stress management does not have to be boring. It can be very easy and fun, with a few simple props and a bit of imagination. 

*Here are some tips and ideas for 'Breathing Games' for kids:

Puff Ball Race
Photo ©2009 B.Gini

*(The following activities are designed to help teach children breath & energy control.

Remember that with bigger/stronger breath, energy will increase. With smaller/lighter breath, energy will calm.

Use "Strong/Big" breath for motor activity, & "Light/Little" Breath for calming/concentration.

Please take care that the children use their noses to breathe. The nose will warm, moisten and filter air as it goes into  the body, and it will also stimulate the appropriate receptors in the nasal cavity for energy/focus/calm. Deep

breathing should be rhythmic and taken a few breaths at a time to avoid dizziness & hyperventilation.  Keep some tissues handy when you play! )

•blow cotton balls (or colored pom-pom balls) through straws -(as in a 'snowball race' or racing over a 'goal line' )

•blow soap bubbles - teaches how to direct the breath and improves oral motor skills for language

•blow dandelion seeds off the stem or blow gently so NO seeds fly off the stem

•pretend you are blowing out one tiny little birthday candle (you can sing "Happy Birthday"-singing also helps develop breath control too!)

•pretend you are blowing out 10 BIG birthday candles...(or even 20!!)

•smell a flower or cookies baking (use real flowers or pretend. Please do not put artificial fragrance on the flowers as his can cause allergic reactions!)

•have a puff ball race (pictured above)

•hum or sing! (loudly and then softly)

•blow on wind chimes or pinwheels

•play wind instruments or kazoos

Breathing Ball
Photo ©2009 B.Gini

•breathe very quietly-(like a little lizard or a butterfly)

•use a "Breathing Ball" pictured at right  (See video here)

* Download a copy of our Breathing Ball activity here!

Breathing Ball Photo Card Download


We welcome your feedback! Tell us how you use breathing games in your classroom or therapy room by leaving a comment below!



.Contact Barbara at: barbara@bodylogique.com

Connect with Your Inner Groundhog



Punxsutawney Phil

February 2 is Groundhog Day in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog comes out of its burrow, then spring will come early. If it is a sunny day, the groundhog will (supposedly) see its shadow and go back into its burrow, and winter weather will continue for six more weeks.

The celebration started as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries and has its origins in ancient European weather lore. A badger or sacred bear was central to the prediction of weather, based on their hibernation habits. How the Groundhog got caught up in it is unclear.

The Groundhog custom is similar to the Pagan festival of Imbolc, (the seasonal turning point of the Celtic calendar,) which is celebrated on February 1, halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

Groundhog facts:

 •"Groundhog" and "woodchuck" are different names for the same animal, from the ground squirrel family.

•Using only their teeth, claws and strong limbs, groundhogs dig  burrows up to 5 feet deep and 45 feet long.

• Their noisy reactions to being disturbed, includes whistling, squealing, barking, chattering and grinding their teeth.

•While most squirrels eat seeds and nuts, groundhogs mainly graze on grass and leaves, & sometimes insects, snails and bird eggs

•Groundhogs are one of the few true hibernators, relying entirely on body fat to make it through winter. Their heartbeat slows from 75 beats per minute to as few as 4, and body temperature drops from the 90s into the 40s (F).

•Groundhogs have an average lifespan of ten years in captivity and six years in the wild, with a maximum lifespan of 14 years in captivity documented

•An internal biological clock controls when wild groundhogs wake up from hibernation, but coming out of the burrow depends more on temperature than intuition.

• Groundhogs have been known to be aggressive & usually try to avoid contact with people.

•According to records kept since 1887, Punxatawney Phil's predictions have been correct 39% of the time

Native American Legends

Native American lore tells us that the Groundhog is a symbol of understanding the power of cycles, knowing when to hibernate, building & the ability to go underground. Groundhog inspires us to pay attention to our dreams, dig beneath the surface to get to the truth, study a specific subject or area of interest, such as yoga, or  meditation and learn to relax. He is a reminder to not  paint ourselves into a corner and always have several ways to exit from negative situations, add more vegetables to our diet, study the seasonal changes and apply the wisdom of changing cycles in daily life.

Groundhog Pose
Photo ©B.Gini 2008

To help you find your inner Groundhog, I've included a 'Groundhog Pose' image (at right) a resting posture for you and your students to practice between activities and to settle nervous energy after recess or tests.

To modify, you can practice this posture by remaining in your chair, & setting your head on your desk. Arms can relax at sides (in this photo the Groundhog was "digging".) Close your eyes and breathe deeply into the belly and then breathe deeply into the back of the body. Breathe in relaxation and breathe out all the thoughts that don't serve you any more.

Imagery:

Imagine you are a little groundhog, safely hibernating in your warm, comfortable burrow.

Benefits of this pose:

•Gently stretches the hips, thighs, and ankles
•Calms the brain and helps *relax stress and fatigue
•Relieves back and neck pain when head and torso are supported on pillows

*(Enhance the relaxing effect of this posture by playing nature sound music or Native American Flute music such as N.Carlos Nakai or Mary Youngblood. Students may rest foreheadon hands, and use shawls or warm, heavy blankets to cover themselves to create their own"burrow". Blankets help create a sensation of body awareness, and of safety and security, which further relaxes the body and brain.)

 
*Download a free "Groundhog Pose" Photo flash card here!


Tell us your "Inner Groundhog" experience in the comments below!
 
 
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Social Strategies: Goals & Expectations for Play

Photo by Barbara Gini ©2011

I've been writing lesson plans for the upcoming adaptive yoga session with Lisa (KidsPlayWork) that begins later this week. This 8 week series will focus on basic social skills, calming anxiety and  movement sequences to improve concentration.

Its easy to get enthused and caught up in all the things that  we want to teach our students. Yoga is such a versatile and wide reaching activity that its sometimes hard to pick just one or two things to teach each class. Working with children on the spectrum has given me a great opportunity to understand the importance of selecting specific goals & to learn to narrow my focus to objectives that are challenging, obtainable and provide meaningful achievement for each child.

A common question I am asked when working with parents is: "how many skills should I teach at any one time?"

The answer will depend on the ability of the student, but in general, between 1-3 and one at a time is recommended. Any more than three is way too much for everyone involved.

Place a list of one to three learning objectives on your refrigerator or blackboard and focus on helping your child learn each one before the next one is tackled.  The goals should be relevant and meaningful to thechild's daily routines and activities. Some examples:


■ Learning three new vocabulary or spelling words

■ Thinking of three new ways to use vocabulary words

■ Learning how to play with a new toy or game

■ Making 1 new friends

■ Learn how to play with 2 new people

■ Or any combination of new ideas or skills-but remember, 3 is enough

Put a star or a sticker next to the achieved skill so the child can see his or her accomplishment.

You children will most likely learn more than 1-3 things a day, because that is the nature of our Life experiences. Skills, numbers, math facts or vocabulary words that you were teaching last week will naturally work their way into the here and now, presenting an opportunity of reinforcement of learned skills.

If your child seems resistant to learning the set of skills you have chosen, try breaking them down into smaller more meaningful goals, teaching them in a more interesting, fun way or select different skills to work on. Remember that progress is progress, no matter how slow or tedious. Some children witll learn slower than others and that is okay. The important thing is to see progress!

Games

Games are a naturally engaging way to teach children a variety of sensory and social skills. In our group session we use movement games (and modified board games) to teach not only yoga theory and postures, but also health, self-control, social courtesy, character development, problem solving and more.

Lizard Faces
Photo ©2010 Brian Mengini for BodyLogique

Games can be adapted, modified and simplified so that all children can be included in play. (You can always adapt & play games that are easier with any child.) Most kids love "Chase and Tickle" games or "Make a Funny Face" games where they get silly reactions from grownups. "I Spy" games both indoors and out are also a simple way to start to build the foundation of a connection between the players.

Keep in mind, that the reason children with autism have difficulty in social play is often because the play partner is playing at a higher level and the child becomes confused. Start simply-and with pairs or triads (1-3 players) and gradually add more elements & players to games (but not at the same time) as skills are obtained. Many games can be made to be more difficult by adding variations after a specific skill is mastered. (Example: Simon says: stand up. Then Simon says stand on tippy toes....stand on one foot...stand on tippy toes on one foot....etc.) This makes it possible for you to introduce a child to a simple game and then add a challenge to keep them engaged in learning new skills over time.

Competition

A word about competition: many educators, children & those of us in the yoga community have been taught that competition is bad for children and I disagree. While I don't condone behavior that implies that one child is "better than" another, I feel that  if we don't challenge children, and let them overcome and master those challenges, they will not learn. They will not stay motivated to improve their skills and become more independent.

By over-accomodating & taking away challenging, competitive opportunities, we take away the child's chance to interact in a meaningful way. We limit their opportunity to build confidence. Its as if we are saying to them that we don't trust them enough to handle themselves. This is a bad message to send any child, especially one trying to build skills and gain social confidence.

Special Olympics
Photo ©2010, Barbara Gini

If every game we play with them is cooperative, and every game allows everyone to win, we are setting them up for failure & an unrealistic interaction with the rest of the world. Its not very pleasant to think of, but in reality and for the most part, we do not live in a very accommodating society. There are rules and laws that we are expected to abide by, whether or not we agree with them, and there are expected and appropriate behaviors that we follow. Children need to be taught this lovingly, and that sometimes its our turn to 'win' and other times its someone else's turn to 'win'. They need to be taught that winning doesn't make you better than another person, and losing doesn't make you less. I think its much better for them to learn this in a caring, nurturing & supportive environment, with  a teacher, friends or family around them, than from a total stranger, in an environment and situation that is foreign and possibly very scary to them. 

Don't be afraid to use games that encourage cooperation, but also that teach and challenge them to overcome obstacles & do their very best!


Some tips for selecting games:

■ Use simple 'Beginner' Games for children who are not yet verbal or are just learning their first words. Keep the duration short and as few players as possible to start.


■ Use 'Intermediate' Games for children who are putting at least a few words together. Be clear with instructions to build on vocabulary.

■ Use 'Intermediate/Advanced' Games for children who are starting to put sentences together. Facilitate play along side while allowing the players to communicate and apply skills among each other.

Broaden the Experience

When selecting games and activities, we can strive to strike a balance between a child's current interests and helping him broaden those interests to include new experiences. Play can be used creatively and on purpose to expand & broaden interests. A wide mix of different kinds of play allows a child to learn much more than even the most creative play of a single activity. (You might want to consider making a simple video model of the selected game. It is amazing how fast most children learn after watching. )


One of my students was very much into trucks, buses, cars, etc. I was told to not allow him to discuss them or perseverate on them. Instead of censoring him, first I used his love of trucks to gain his trust and then to expand his interests.

Got Large Bugs?

My first session with him I mirrored his play along side of him and let him direct the truck activity.

On the 2nd & subsequent sessions I added interesting and different elements to this 'game'. I brought a bag of huge plastic bugs, and hid them around the room. I told my student that we would definitely play with the trucks, but first we had to find the bugs because they all wanted to go for a ride.  This was not taken well at first, but after a brief discussion & transition phase, he thought this "Hide and Seek" idea made sense, so he played along, a bit reluctantly. We reassured each big bug that he or she would be going to ride on a truck/bus/airplane as soon as we found all the others.This reassurance helped him sustain the activity. I started with 3, and each week I added a few new bugs.

Over the next few weeks, I introduced car, truck, airplane and bug poses, created a yoga sequence just for him and played guessing games with him. We added art (tissue paper mosaic bugs) and then a labyrinth (maze) where he had to get to each bug. The activities became a much better mixture of interactive games and less about the cars and trucks as this child learned to confidently enjoy a variety of activities, movement games & toys.

* In an upcoming post, I will take you through the steps of helping your child set up a sucessful play date.

Tell us in the comments below what types of games you find to be effective  for helping children learn social skills.

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