Mindful or Mind Full
Mindfulness has become the latest buzzword on the streets. It has become fashionable to practise mindfulness. We hear about it in the media, in schools, in the corporate world, for busy mums and dads, for busy kids – the list goes on.
But what exactly is mindfulness?
According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, “mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgementally.”
So, how do we practise mindfulness?
Mindfulness is nothing new. Human beings have been practising this naturally for thousands of years.
Our very little people haven’t forgotten.
You only have to watch a two-year-old at play. They are fully immersed in the moment – whether they are putting a lid on and off a container, mixing potions in a mud kitchen, or moulding shapes with playdough.
They are not thinking about what happened yesterday or what they are going to do tomorrow. They are simply there.
But sadly, within just a few years, our children can lose touch with this natural, inborn state of presence. Our modern, fast-paced lives certainly play a part. Smartphones, iPads, smart TVs and everyday conveniences available at the click of a button can all contribute to both our children and ourselves becoming distracted and finding it difficult to focus for very long.
Mindfulness sounds simple, but with our monkey minds and so many distractions, it isn’t always easy.
The most effortless way I find to become fully present is through my breath and by bringing my senses into play – just like our two-year-olds do naturally.
These are tools we have at our disposal 24/7.
The Little Warrior Yoga Cards for Kids include some fun and simple ways to help children practise mindfulness, including:
Balloon Belly Breathing
Take 5 Breath
Salute to the Sun
Breathe and Draw
Humming Bee Breath
Om
Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation
Switching Channels
For anyone who is blessed enough to work with or spend time with children, there are so many opportunities in everyday life to practise mindfulness together – and for ourselves.
Bring your senses into play.
What can you see?
What can you hear?
What can you smell?
What can you taste?
What can you feel?
And don’t forget your breath.
If your mind wanders, simply notice where it has gone and gently bring your awareness back to whatever you are doing.
Can you bring those beautiful child-like qualities to your practice – being curious, open, non-judgemental and playful with no expectations?
Here are just a few simple ways to introduce mindfulness to your children through everyday life – and you might find yourself becoming more mindful too:
Having a bath or shower
Eating a meal
Setting the table
Washing the dishes
Drinking a cup of coffee, tea, juice or hot chocolate
Taking a walk in a forest or on the beach
Walking the dog
Doing housework – vacuuming or washing the floors
Playing with your child or pet
Listening to music
Brushing your teeth
Dancing
Collecting treasures in nature
Chopping vegetables
Baking
Colouring in
Creating art – painting, knitting, building
Having a conversation
Planting or watering the garden
Start small.
A little progress every day can lead to big results.
For the next couple of weeks, practise being mindful yourself and with your child. Then pause and check in. Simply observe how you feel.
You have nothing to lose – and potentially so much to gain in the form of greater inner peace and happiness.
Perhaps mindfulness isn’t about learning something new.
Perhaps it’s about remembering something we already know.
And perhaps our children can teach us a thing or two.