Yoga and Parenting. Some thing to think about.

 I was recently asked how I felt about teaching kids yoga within family life, and if I had any helpful advice to offer. The following was my response.

"Here is my "2 cents" on parenting kids with yoga.
I believe that children follow by example. I am also a firm believer in Vasanas and Karma.
I believe that enlightened souls find the parents they are meant to be with.
My mother was practicing yoga, she had 5 kids and she would some how find time to do her practice. She would shoo me out of the room, but because of my vasanas (tendencies) my young mind was curious and I copied what I saw my mother doing. When I left home I made my own journey into a life of Yoga and healing arts.
 My daughter chose to come to us, Me and a Japanese father of a traditional Shinto family, he was a Dr. of Acupuncture.
She was born into watching her mother meditate, pray and practice asana. We helped her through her life with alternative medicine and she ate pure clean food.
I never forced any thing on my daughter all of this was just "Normal" to her. I let her be involved if she "Wanted" to. I believe this is how it sticks with them. I feel this way because of how I grew up.
 The teenage yrs are the most challenging, all the goodness we teach them seems to fly out the door for a while, I temporarily wondered what I did wrong and then it comes back. I learned that we can not insist that they do any thing it will only be met with resistance. Their vasanas will move them as karma gets burned.
So I continued by example, faith, unconditional love, always open, watchful and present. Gentle suggestions and guidance. She saw what the options were out there in the world,  home was her sanctuary, peace, love and all needs met.
The storms past and she blossomed into one of the most amazing young women I have ever known. She and her husband practice yoga, positive thinking, and unconditional love as a quiet" Normal" in their lives.
I hope this has been of some help."

I was later graced with the following lovely response.



 Brenda, that is beautiful, and absolutely the truth. So simple to hear however takes great peace and restraint to do as our lovely children pass through the teenage stage. Your approach is so much more than two cents worth, society should teach and foster this "way", there are just too few examples to follow. I wish I could have been your "best friend " through out life. I would have come into this clear and successful path much longer ago...however there are so many others out there that have not even become "aware" that a better life is possible,or that they can embrace, at any stage of their living, this bright light of peace and harmony.
I can see some personal karma here...to reach out to schools, inmates, and veterans to bring this knowledge to others as you have here .
Again thank you, your light lit up my heart and soul.
Joan 

 

Sincerely
Brenda Bell

"How well can you be?"
  www.brendabell.ca    416) 738-7208