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 3 (March 30-April 3): Social Awareness
What is Social Awareness? Social Awareness is the ability to tune into the heart, having empathy and awareness for diversity among cultures, and creating respect and caring among ethical behavior and social norms. It is opening the mind, heart, ears and eyes beyond the individual, to connect with the local and global community around us.
Breathing Exercise: Heart Breath
Begin in a comfortable position (either sitting or standing in Mountain Pose). Bring your hands together and rub them to create some heat. Then place your hands on your heart (option to keep your eyes open or closed), and take 3 deep breaths. As you inhale, breathe in love for everyone you care about, and on the exhale breathe out love for everyone in the world. Continue to repeat this breathing exercise until you feel satisfied.
Mindful Movements of the Week:
Whether your new or seasoned to Yoga Asana (movement), the following 5 poses are great to get the heart rate up, create clarity in the mind, and grounding in the body. Do all 5 together, mix them up or just Stop, Drop and Yoga and strike a Pose! A Pose a day keeps the doctor away! Physical movement helps to reduce fear/stress/anxiety and boosts immunity!
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
Heart Opening Poses for Social Awareness
Seated Cat/Cow
Camel Pose
Crescent Lunge
Star Gazer
Warrior 1
Mindful Mudra: Garduda (The Eagle
Bring your hands together, and hook your thumbs together and stretch your fingertips! This Mudra cultivates compassion and empathy for others. How can we take flight to help each other soar?
Healthy SELfie Activity: Tune in this week for DAILY HEARTWORK (arts and crafts) activities for your Healthy SELfie! Unleash your creativity with using materials from around your house! http://amysyogabilities.com/daily-heartwork-crafts-for-social-awareness/
Monday: Edible Empathy: Making Edible Malas & Breathing Tools
Tuesday: Yoga Slime
Wednesday: Less Mess Glitter Globe
Thursday: Macaroni Mandalas
Friday: Plant Positive Power Play Dough
Meditation for Relaxation: Create this week’s Mudra into a Moving Meditation to share this peace within yourself and with other! Click the Video Below to learn this Moving Mediation with the Mantra,
“Breathe In, Breathe Out, Touch Peace”
When you are connected to yourself, you are able to connected better with others!