Contribution from Anamda Sly
Children naturally love to do Bhakti yoga that is so easily incorporated into children’s yoga. They express devotion in a simple and natural way, free of the ego. The purpose of this yoga is to merge with Divine Love, internally and externally.
Bhakti yoga uses deities such as Shiva, Vishnu or masters such as Krishna or Buddha or the image of a teacher who represents divine Love and inspiration. Some of the devotional practices include Kirtan – mantras and Japa – devotional songs. Children respond naturally to new songs, chants and rituals and learn new words and absorb the benefit of the mantra quickly.
Mantra – manas – mind and trai – to free from. It means to free from the mind. These high vibration Sanskrit words connect us to the universe, our infinite self. These healing sounds balance the mind, body and spirit and clear subtle impurities from the body as well as improving concentration and creative thinking. Each mantra has it owns quality, rhythm and effect and directs the mind into a high vibratory frequency. They vibrate with the Nad (sound of God) to experience the infinite within the finite. This is a form of mantra yoga.
Bhakti yoga heals the heart and emotions that help all children who carry some hurt of not being understood or heard in this material and stressful world. It brings family together in a natural way. Just 3 minutes of chanting a mantra brings balance and joy.
Children come from different cultural and religious backgrounds, yet Bhakti yoga is a universal way of showing devotion to the elements of nature, people, pets and toys that they love. Devotional yoga classes are soft and uplifting to children. Children love the magical quality of deities, gurus and teachers. They often walk away from a class chanting a mantra and will recite them on the way home, at home or walking with a friend.
One very easy mantra for children to learn is – “Healthy am I, Happy am I, Holy am I.” It is very uplifting for children to do adding hand movements. After all, children are born happy. The rhythm of this chant uplifts and changes the mood of children. Mantras also are soothing and relax the brain and calm the mind.
Another mantra that is also used as a meditation is “God and me, me and God are One.”
It shows the child that we are not separate from the divine and that we are all one, interconnected. This brings a sense of belonging and an open heart to care about others. The child learns to think in terms of “We” not “I.”
Children can show their respect and devotion for the food they eat. They can offer an apple, sitting in their palms to another child who is their partner in yoga. They also love to use candles, flowers and other materials that are commonly used for devotional rituals.
A devotional Kirtan chant that children love is “Guru, Guru, Wahe Guru, Guru Ram Das Guru.” Guru Ram Das was the fourth Sikh Guru of Love and Compassion. It is a mantra of humility, relaxation, self-healing and emotional relief. Here is how to pronounce the mantra: Guroo Guroo Wha-hay Guroo Guroo Ram Das Guroo. This mantra can be incorporated with the offering of the apple.
Posture: Have your child sit in easy pose with hands in Gyan Mudra. They close their eyes and focus on point between the eyebrows and then repeat the mantra for three minutes in a monotone or sing along with a musical version. Your children will love having you join them! Doing this mantra for 3 minutes for 40 days will have wonderful effects for the whole family.
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