Inspiring Our Kids

Anytime I post a picture like the one above, my inbox gets flooded with “How did you get her to do that?” questions. And I can understand why.

If you’ve practiced yoga yourself, you know its benefits are many – enhanced body awareness, increased focus, improved health and well being, an ability to relax and be still. Who wouldn’t want those things for their kids?

But, you also know that there are some hurdles to overcome. Kiddos, especially toddlers, have short attention spans. They might have other things they want to do. They might not be in the mood to practice yoga when you are.

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to tell you how I share this practice with kids. While I’ve had the pleasure of teaching kids in a yoga class setting, this series is going to focus on what it looks like to share yoga with them in our homes, as parents.

I’m not going to put a great deal of time into specifics like pose sequences or step by step pose instructions (check out the “Family” section here for some of my favorite resources for that kind of information). What I’m going to focus on is the bigger issue of how we inspire them to have an interest in the practice. What do we say, do, and model?

I often get wives calling me to schedule private yoga lessons for their husbands. I tell them all the same thing. “I love how you love him enough to want this for him. But, he has to want this himself. If he does, have him call me personally.”

That’s what this series is all about – inspiring our kids to want to practice yoga. This series, while focused on yoga, is really about how we intentionally use our influence to inspire the choices that our kids make.

The truth is I didn’t make AE do the pose pictured above. I wasn’t even in the room when she got into it. She chose to do it all on her own.

I do hope yoga is a practice she will love and benefit from her entire life. And, I’ll do my best to inspire that commitment in her, but I’ll simultaneously remember that the choice to practice yoga is hers alone.

So here’s what’s coming up:

1. Inspiring Calm…Teaching Yoga Relaxation to Our Kids

2. Inspiring Movement…Teaching Asana to Our Kids

3. Inspiring Awareness…Teaching Yoga Breathing to Our Kids – coming December 19, 2011

Do you practice yoga with your kids? Do you want to, but aren’t sure how to get started? What other things would you like to inspire a love of in your kids? I’d love to hear your story or questions below.