Namaste! During these uncertain times, one thing is certain: You ALWAYS have your breath! Each week I will offer Students, Educators and Families a variety of Yoga & Mindfulness activities that connect to a competency in the CASEL Framework for Social Emotional Learning! This is a free resource to support everyone’s mental health during a time when anxiety and stress levels may be higher than usual.
Implementing these activities as Brain Breaks, or part of your family’s Daily Routine, from a Morning Meeting, while you are doing Household Chores or before Bedtime! No mat is required! All you need is an open mind and open heart!
Week 5 (April 13-17) : Responsible Decision Making
What is Responsible Decision Making? Responsible Decision Making is the ability to make responsible and ethical choices for oneself and with social interactions. This includes managing individual behavior, along with the making productive and constructive decisions for others. It is having the ability to use logic and reason in a positive mindset to make healthy choices. Rooted in character development, responsible decision making is a life long skill to create connection and compassion in and out of the classroom.
Breathing Exercise: Lion’s Breath
Stick out your tongue and say “HA” or Roar! Lion’s breath clears out the clouds in the mind so we can have more clarity, and clears out the clouds in our lungs so we can breathe better (and it gives more oxygen to the brain to make Responsible Decisions!
Mindful Movements of the Week: Mid-line Movements
Challenge: Show off exploring these poses around the house! Stay connected to our Green Wave Community by using the Hashtag: #LBfamilyYoga and Tag Amy @amyzambranoyoga
This week’s poses focuses on the Mid-Line Movement in the Brain
When the Mid-line Movement is strengthened (movement that crosses the right side over left and vice versa) you can make clear choices because these movements enhance concentration and focus. Be sure to practice each pose on both sides!
Eagle
Dancing Elephant
Peaceful Pinwheel
Seated Eagle Circles
Sleeping Pigeon
Mindful Mudra: Moving Mudra with the Mantra, “I Can Do This”
Bring each finger to the thumb. This movement activates the nerve endings in the finger tips which sends a signal to the Brain for the body to come to calm! If you are stressed and nervous with decision making, this is a simple technique to create focus in the mind. Add a Mantra so that each word coordinates with the finger tip Movement:
Pointer Finger to Thumb: “I”
Middle Finger to Thumb: “CAN”
Ring Finger to Thumb: “DO”
Pinky to Thumb: “THIS”
Healthy SELfie Activity: How can you put your yoga and kindness into action to help others? Karma Yoga is the Yoga of Service. In Sanskrit, the word “Seva” means Service-how can you take your yoga off the mat to make responsible decisions to help others, especially during this time? What organizations or cause can you support with Social Distancing? Research local & global non-profits to see how we can support one another!
Meditation Relaxation Station: Mindfully Make Your Own Eye Pillow for Relaxation: Create your on eye pillow for mental and physical clarity to make responsible decisions!
Materials:
- 1 Knee High Sock
- 1 1/2 Cups of Rice
- Optional Essential Oils (Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Cedarwood)
Directions:
- Tie a knot at the heel of the Knee High Sock
- Slowly pour in 1 1/2 Cups of Rice
- Option to drop or spray in Essential Oil
- Tie the other end of the sock in a knot
- Use as eye pillow, neck pillow or breathing buddy tool!
Using an Eye Pillow for Meditation helps support the Parasympathetic Nervous System for relaxation! When the body and mind are calm, you are able to make better decisions!
Remember to take a Brain Break at least every hour or as often as needed! Wash your hands, drink lots of water, move your body! In yoga, we practice “Saucha” which means cleanliness: Cleanliness with our body, as well as our thoughts! Limit exposure to the Media & Social Media for current events. This becomes a mindfulness practice of Self Awareness.