Part 2 - Self Compassion
Part 2 - How to practice Self Compassion
So to put these precepts into practice, there are things we can do on and off the yoga mat (or the meditation cushion) these are as follows:
Heart Space
Find time before starting a yoga session with yourself or your child/children to sit down and check in with yourself. Close your eyes, and place one hand or two on your heart. After a few moments of quieting the body and the mind, notice what comes up, notice any resistance, discomfort, peace, stillness - just notice and try and meet it without judgement, just conscious awareness. Maybe ask yourself: 'How are you today/How are you feeling right now?' take a moment to notice the answer (if any). And then respond with 'I love you, and I am listening'. Although this may seem abstract to begin with if we haven't tried this before, we may find that there is something very powerful in saying such words to a deeper part of ourselves. After sitting for another moment or two, open your eyes, and notice now how you feel. You can practice this with your child/young person once placing your hand on your own heart, then placing your hand on the child's heart or their own hand on their heart to help them feel the energy in their body.
River Flute by Kevin MacLeod
Link httpsincompetech.filmmusic.iosong4713-river-flute
License httpcreativecommons.orglicensesby4.0
Part 2 - How to practice Self Compassion
So to put these precepts into practice, there are things we can do on and off the yoga mat (or the meditation cushion) these are as follows:
Self Hug
Now give yourself a hug. Again, as parents, teachers, adults and practitioners some of us can be resistant to such practices, but when we feel the power of giving ourselves some care, we tend to feel more emotionally resilient. There is science behind this as well, as we use the power of touch through our hands and give ourselves a warm embrace, it releases Oxytocin - the feel good hormone that helps us with well-being, love and bonding. So try wrapping your arms around yourself, taking some breaths, relaxing the shoulders and neck, rub the arms, the shoulders and you can recite the words again 'I love you' or 'I really care about you' etc. or choose your own words that feel right for you. You can then squeeze your arms, shoulders, legs, feet anywhere that feels comfortable, this not only soothes us but helps us to get back into our body and heart and out of the head or perpetuating thought habits and cycles.
Once you have given yourself a hug, try exploring this with your child, either wrap your own arms around them in a way that isn't invasive, but comforting, or support them to wrap their own arms around their own body. Use your breath in and out through your nose consciously breathing slowly and deeply making gentle eye contact with the child - now you are communicating through the power of touch, eye contact and calm energetic breathing, these are all ways that are extremely helpful in helping the child to calm their nervous system(s).
River Flute by Kevin MacLeod
Link httpsincompetech.filmmusic.iosong4713-river-flute
License httpcreativecommons.orglicensesby4.0