Transitioning From August To September Takes Center Stage

Well, it is the time again.  Back to school commercials, letters from the new school teacher and the days of the week getting closer to September and further from August.  Some kids love this time of year and find it exciting.  Others, not so much.

I always fit into the "not so much" category.  Actually there is another category that I really fit into which was the "hide under the bed and maybe they won't find me" category.

Life transitions have always been tricky for me.

I learned while studying choreography that dance is really all about the transitions.   Stringing each movement phrase together takes artistic maturity.  Transitions are important and should be given the same amount of time and attention as the grand leap or sensational spin center stage. 

There are many types of transitions.  Here are just a few:

1. You can pause between phrases
2. You can choose a traveling step to link sections of a dance
3. You can add another dancer

The same transitions that are utilized in dance can be implemented in the life of a school child beginning a new school year, new dance program, new teacher, etc.

Make sure to recognize the importance of your children or students' transitions.  Have them pause and take a few deep breaths.  Maybe have them skip, jump or hop to the bus or encourage them to bring a friend to class (even if the friend is an inanimate object.)  If you acknowledge and create smooth transitions for your little ones you will help ease them gently and safely into new situations. (You will have less anxious, better behaved, more attentive and engaged children.)

When I taught dance regularly at a dance studio I made entering the space a sacred ritual.  It was something to look forward to.  Each child picked their own way of entering the space (skipping, twirling, crawling, etc.) Immediately they got my undivided attention.  They got the attention of their classmates and they had to to attend to their bodies and movements as well.

I don't hide under my bed anymore (I can't fit under my bed) but I don't need to either.  I choose the transition that best fits the experience (like pausing and taking a deep breath, adding a little extra hop to my step or bringing a friend like a soothing phrase, happy thought, or calming image.)  Taking on the new experience becomes accessible and enjoyable.

Explore transitions with the little ones in your life and see if August can roll into September with ease ( it can also hop, skip, slither, etc.)

Sincerely,
Stacey

Guided Mediation Is Not Just About Finding Your Happy Place

Have you ever led your class/children through a guided meditation?  The benefits of even a quick few minutes of guided meditation or relaxation is super beneficial for them and you.

Guided Relaxation Exercise

Give these directions: Lie down on the floor and close your eyes.  Put your hands on your belly and rest them there.  Now slowly breath in and out through your nose.  As you breath feel your hands resting on your belly.  Don't answer my question out loud but only to yourself - can you feel if your hands are rising and sinking on your belly with each breath?  Notice how your shirt feels under your hands.  Is it soft, rough, thin, thick?  Breath in and out at your own pace  Now feel your body sinking into the floor.  With each breath that you take feel if you can sink further into the floor.  Feel as if your body is getting heavier and heavier.    Imagine yourself lying on your favorite blanket.  It is soft, warm and cozy.  What color is this blanket?  Does it have a pattern on it like stripes or hearts?  Is it big and squishy or light and thin?  Feel as if your blanket is giving you a warm hug.  Now notice your hands again on your belly.  Can you feel your belly moving up and down?  Take another deep breath in and out.  Take your attention back to the room.  Do you hear any noises from the hallway or outside?  Start to prepare for our relaxation time to be over.  Slowly move your legs in and out.  Reach your arms over your head and do a big stretch.  Make a big yawn sound.  Slowly open your eyes and when you are ready come to standing.

Here are just a few of the many benefits of this exercise: 

Focus
Visualization is a powerful tool to focus the mind on one specific idea.  If you are seeing the color of your imaginary blanket then you are not thinking about what you are having for dinner.  Closing your eyes helps further take away any distractions.  At first it might be hard for some children to close their eyes.  If this is the case, you might want them to lie on their stomachs so they can not move their head around.

Connecting to Breath
By focusing on calm breathing, inhaling and exhaling, children can feel how their lungs expand and contract, how their bellies move up and down and how the air is drawn in and pushed out through their noses. They can feel how their breathing effects their bodies.  It gives them a sense of body awareness.

Relaxation
When the body and mind have a chance to reconnect it can be very peaceful.  The children are not being asked to do anything except be, breath and focus on your voice.  It is a time to take a break from all the stimulation of the outside world.  This is also a great tool to use to transition from a very active activity to a quiet activity because you are giving the children a chance to change focus and pace.

You might find that guiding the meditation is very peaceful and relaxing for you to.  I always do!  Let me know if you try this out and how your students/kids respond!

Have fun reconnecting with the children in your life!

Sincerely,
Stacey