Australian Yoga Journal — January 2018

(Jacob Rumans) #1
With 20 years of experience,Loraine Rushtonis a leading
authority on yoga for children and teens. Worldwide, she
has trained thousands of people how to teach children’s
yoga in a way that is educational, meaningful and fun.

Have them teach fi ve poses and one breathing exercise,
then play a fun yoga game and end with a relaxation. One
seven-year-old boy in our yoga classes loves to write his own
relaxations for his friends. He always starts his classes by
telling his friends, “Your bodies will get stronger. You will
feel calm and peaceful. Now let’s get started!” I assure you,
it will be your Christmas holiday highlight. For ideas go to:
http://www.zenergyyoga.com

DONATE
This is a really fun one to do with children. Decide on an
amount to donate then make a list of charities and choose which
ones and how much to gift. Perhaps it could be as simple as
choosing toys, teddies or clothes that your child no longer uses
then taking them to the local charity shop, children’s hospital or
drop centre. Supermarkets usually have a charity collection for
families in need at Christmas time. How fun to put something
in each day for 12 days leading up to Christmas. I call it the 12
days of gifting.
Finally, on Christmas Eve, take a moment to revel in all the
good you have done together. Notice how you feel individually
and as a family. Focusing on others in the lead up to the holiday
season will make for a rewarding and deeply cherishing time.
This is the true spirit of Christmas and a ritual you can continue
together even when the kids have grown up.

Top 5 Yoga Poses to open the


heart for Christmas & Summer


Open the Curtains
Sit on knees. Bring your fingers
into the centre of your heart.
Exhale take right arm out
to side, inhale centre.
Exhale take left arm out
to side, inhale to centre.
Exhale take both arms out
wide, pulling the fingers back,
inhale to centre.


Half Cow Face
Lift the right arm up and drop
the hand behind head.
Press down on the elbow with
the left hand.
Leave the right hand where it
is, and release the left hand,
bringing it to meet the right hand
and clasping the fingers together.
Repeat on the opposite side.


Fish Pose
Lying on your back, make hands
into fists and bend the elbows,
pointing fists to the ceiling.
Push down with the elbows
and lift the chest high, dropping
the head back.
Focus on keeping the chest high.
Roll shoulders back and lift the
heart to the ceiling. Flex feet.


Exhale lift one leg (or both).
Inhale down.

Wheel
Lying on the floor with knees
bent, bring palms to the floor
above your shoulders (fingers
facing towards shoulders).
Exhale, press into the hands
and lift the hips to the sky.
Straighten the arms as much
as possible and let the head
hang.
Keep feet facing the short edge
of the mat and breathe long
and deep. On an exhale,
slowly release back down.

Roly Poly Bear
Lie on your back with knees
bent.
Arms are in strongman position,
with hands in fists, the elbows
in line with the shoulders
and the wrists in line with the
elbows.
Keep the arms pushing into the
floor and squeeze
the knees.
Exhale, drop knees to side,
inhale knees to centre, exhale
drop them to the opposite
side, inhale back to centre.

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