Last week we enjoyed a refreshing well deserved break down at a Pemberton farm. My littles loved the hay rides and feeding the animals. We swam in Big Brook Dam, Bush walked, found hidden tracks with water falls and breathed in the clean air and nature that the earth had to offer us.
The trees were so huge and sacred and when the breeze blew it was as if they were talking to us. We took a few moments hugging and honouring these old giants of the forest with some yoga.
Vriksasana (Tree Pose)
Vriksasana, is a lovely balance pose that helps your focus. I find that the children like to use a focus friend, (something to stare at, perhaps a small favourite toy or something from nature such as a seed pod).
This helps the children stay focused and calms the mind as they take 3 slow breaths in before balancing.
Start in Tadasana (Mountain Pose). When you feel steady and quiet, lift up one foot to rest on the other legs ankle. Lift up your arms into the air like the branches of a tree.
If you are balanced and comfortable you can try to lift your foot up and rest it above the knee of your other leg, the strong trunk.
Feel your toes like roots of a tree, firmly resting into the earth. You are a strong, wise giant of the forest.
Think about what kind of tree you are and how important you are to the planet. Be thankful for these trees with every breath you inhale and enjoy the benefits of tree pose. Vriksasana helps develop nervous balance and steady the mind. It also strengthens leg, ankles and foot muscles.
Make sure you always do the other side of your body to help keep it balanced.
By using yoga as a tool to focus there minds allowed my children to take every opportunity enjoying these amazing trees and helping them understand how important it is to protect our earth.
Comments