Five Elements & Mindfulness
Sponsored by the Hampden Rec Department
What are the Five Elements?
The five elements are all around us, and are a part of who we are. When we are out of balance with ourselves, sometimes getting into balance with the five elements can help.
Earth - associated with muscles and bones.
Water - associated with joints
Fire - associated with digestion and sight
Air - associated with lungs and circulatory system
Space - associated with connective tissue, invisible connection
Now, What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is simply being aware of where you are, what you are doing, and how it feels. It is being in the "here and now" - not looking back at things that make us feel bad, or that we wish could happen again, and not looking forward to things we are scared of or excited about. When we are being "mindful" we are just seeing the moment we are in. Why is this important? Well, we can't do anything about the past. We also don't actually know what the future is going to bring. So to be stuck in the feelings and emotions associated with the past and future (things we cannot control) tends to make our mind spin, and we can act out in unhealthy ways.
INSTEAD, if we can just know that RIGHT NOW we are alright, RIGHT NOW we know exactly what we are doing, and how it is feeling, it is easier to stay calm and steady. A lot of times, this is easier said than done, so making time to "practice" yoga and to "practice" meditation, helps us to"practice" mindfulness and expand it out into more parts of our lives. We can let our lives unfold as we move forward through each moment. We don't have to guess or figure anything out, we can just experience it!
Why mindfulness for kids? The quick answer: mindfulness is something can help with stress reduction, it can help with self-esteem, it can help with interpersonal connections, it can help with focus, it can help with many of the things we all struggle with, and things that isolation and underlying stress can really exacerbate.
Kid's Five Element Yoga Schedule - Summer 2023
Tuesday 6/20 - Let's Get Grounded: Introduction, getting "GROUNDED" to the Earth - Mountain Pose, breathing from the ground, balance, guided body scan (click through for a link to the video).
Tuesday 6/27 - FLOWING Like Water: - moving our joints, balancing, frog, alligators and fish poses
Tuesday 7/11 - BURN Like FIRE: We will build heat AND learn how to cool down with breath and body, Chair pose (also called FIERCE or LIGHTNING pose)
Tuesday 7/18: FLOATING In AIR: How can we feel light? Bird postures, taking flight with balance.
Tuesday 7/25 - SPACE: Being a part of the universe, feeling space in our bodies & minds.
Tuesday 8/1 - BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER: - a little grounding, flowing, heat, lightness, and spaciousness. Beautiful!
Kid's Mindfulness Series Logistics
WHO: Kids 7 - 14. Parents and caregivers are welcome.
WHAT IS NEEDED: Just you and a blanket/yoga mat. Exercise mats will be provided by the Hampden Rec. If you want to bring your own mat, feel free.
WHAT WILL WE BE DOING: These sessions will incorporate: movement to warm up, discussion about mindfulness (finding ways to be more aware, to be more "present"), doing yoga postures, breath work, and brief meditation/concentration.
WHERE: Shehan Center, Hampden
WHEN: Tuesdays 11:15 - 12:15
REGISTRATION
You can register through the Hampden Rec HERE.
Sponsored by the Hampden Rec Department
What are the Five Elements?
The five elements are all around us, and are a part of who we are. When we are out of balance with ourselves, sometimes getting into balance with the five elements can help.
Earth - associated with muscles and bones.
Water - associated with joints
Fire - associated with digestion and sight
Air - associated with lungs and circulatory system
Space - associated with connective tissue, invisible connection
Now, What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is simply being aware of where you are, what you are doing, and how it feels. It is being in the "here and now" - not looking back at things that make us feel bad, or that we wish could happen again, and not looking forward to things we are scared of or excited about. When we are being "mindful" we are just seeing the moment we are in. Why is this important? Well, we can't do anything about the past. We also don't actually know what the future is going to bring. So to be stuck in the feelings and emotions associated with the past and future (things we cannot control) tends to make our mind spin, and we can act out in unhealthy ways.
INSTEAD, if we can just know that RIGHT NOW we are alright, RIGHT NOW we know exactly what we are doing, and how it is feeling, it is easier to stay calm and steady. A lot of times, this is easier said than done, so making time to "practice" yoga and to "practice" meditation, helps us to"practice" mindfulness and expand it out into more parts of our lives. We can let our lives unfold as we move forward through each moment. We don't have to guess or figure anything out, we can just experience it!
Why mindfulness for kids? The quick answer: mindfulness is something can help with stress reduction, it can help with self-esteem, it can help with interpersonal connections, it can help with focus, it can help with many of the things we all struggle with, and things that isolation and underlying stress can really exacerbate.
Kid's Five Element Yoga Schedule - Summer 2023
Tuesday 6/20 - Let's Get Grounded: Introduction, getting "GROUNDED" to the Earth - Mountain Pose, breathing from the ground, balance, guided body scan (click through for a link to the video).
Tuesday 6/27 - FLOWING Like Water: - moving our joints, balancing, frog, alligators and fish poses
Tuesday 7/11 - BURN Like FIRE: We will build heat AND learn how to cool down with breath and body, Chair pose (also called FIERCE or LIGHTNING pose)
Tuesday 7/18: FLOATING In AIR: How can we feel light? Bird postures, taking flight with balance.
Tuesday 7/25 - SPACE: Being a part of the universe, feeling space in our bodies & minds.
Tuesday 8/1 - BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER: - a little grounding, flowing, heat, lightness, and spaciousness. Beautiful!
Kid's Mindfulness Series Logistics
WHO: Kids 7 - 14. Parents and caregivers are welcome.
WHAT IS NEEDED: Just you and a blanket/yoga mat. Exercise mats will be provided by the Hampden Rec. If you want to bring your own mat, feel free.
WHAT WILL WE BE DOING: These sessions will incorporate: movement to warm up, discussion about mindfulness (finding ways to be more aware, to be more "present"), doing yoga postures, breath work, and brief meditation/concentration.
WHERE: Shehan Center, Hampden
WHEN: Tuesdays 11:15 - 12:15
REGISTRATION
You can register through the Hampden Rec HERE.
