An Easy Meditation to Do with Your Kids

When I posted about Sensation Meditations for Kids a couple months ago I got  quite a few emails about meditating with kids. It can be a struggle getting kids to slow down long enough to meditate but it can be so helpful in calming and relaxing kids, especially after a hectic day at school or a tantrum has been thrown but meditation can be so helpful with kids!! I am no expert on meditation but I know I really enjoy it and feel really calm yet energized when I just do it, so kids can reap the same benefits. BUT I find that I need guidance… usually a a voice to follow via my iPod.

Although I stumbled upon a fun meditation of sorts this past weekend all of my own making. I guess it could also be considered an exercise in pretend play too. I was explaining to my daughter that we were not going to the beach on vacation… instead we are going to a resort in the Appalachian mountains in Shenandoah. She was feeling sad that we weren't going to Myrtle beach as she had hoped, so I recommend to her that we pretend we were at the beach.

Basically you need to clear a large spot on the floor right underneath some big windows ideally with the sun streaming in. Lay down a beach or picnic blanket, put on bathing suits, and lay in th sun with your eyes closed. Open the windows to allow the breeze in. You could even go outside for real too, of course. If you have a stereo or iPod sound dock handy then put on some beach/ocean sounds. I fond the iPod method the best because I can download the sounds for .99 cents a pop instead of buying a CD. These days I am all about digital or rental and not buying new.

Then guide your child or children into a "pretend" meditation. Speak slowly and repeat things as needed or add ideas of your own. Ideas will just pop into your head…

Ask them to concentrate on the sounds of the waves. Have them breath in an about many times as they watch the waves roll in and out, in and out. Ask if they hear the birds calling and talking to each other. Tell them to relax their bodies and watch the birds as fly about and imagine what the birds are saying… "We are free, we are happy, we are flying". Tell them to concentrate on the feel of the sun on their skin… the warm sun that we love so much. Imagine that you are soaking it in and the sun rays are energizing your skin and each of your cells. Your cells inflate like balloons with energy and love, direct from the sun. Instruct them to feel the breeze caress their skin and carrying away with it all their worries and problems. Say goodbye to your problems, the wind is taking them away. Now all you have is energy and peace, and the calming sounds of the waves crashing, and the feel of your breath going in and out, in and out, in and out… Just laying their together on the "beach" is very relaxing.

Now of course, as I mentioned before, I am no meditation expert. I do not know if I did things "properly" when coming up with this meditation but it is fun and peaceful nonetheless. If your kids like the beach they might enjoy this exercise to. Enjoy!