No one has control over what is coming to them in life but we can learn to control how we react and how we process our emotions.
Yoga and mindfulness teaches us to love and nurture our inner world bringing an enhance state of calm so that when life becomes challenging we can ride the waves through returning to our inner state of calm.
Most importantly as parents, educators, or caregivers we need to first practice self-awareness so we can be a calm and supportive foundation instead of reactive. Therefore, we model to children positive emotional management.
It takes practice especially in the heat of the moment, so have compassion for yourself. This is where our yoga practice comes off the mat and into life.
Using my three techniques of -Express, Release and Centre.
1. Express the emotion - Give them permission to feel and most importantly accept that all emotions are valid. Using emotion cards or a chart can help them have the vocab to express themselves. As adults we can be supportive by listening acknowledging instead of correcting. “It is ok you are feeling this way I know it is hard right now”.
2. Release – when your child is in an emotional storm (we call this flight or fight – the sympathetic nervous system is activated) is impossible to find the calm centre. Encouraging your child to release the energy and the built-up emotion with movement.
Whether it is jumping up and down, punching a pillow or moving through some yoga poses such as cat or dog pose, warriors or rocking in child pose.
You are supporting your child to not hold the emotion in but let it go in a supportive space.
3. Centre – After your child has been able to release all that built up energy they will be more open to finding their centre again.
This is where we can introduce some mindful breathing , deep slow breathing in and out will guide them back into a parasympathetic nervous system state ( rest/digest state).
Encourage your child to place their hands on their body (tummy or chest). Close their eyes and slowly breathe in through their nose and out their mouths at least five times. Older children can breathe in with a count 3 in 5 out.
Lots of cuddles even while breathing to express safety, support, and connection.
Remember regulating emotions is a life practice for young and old its not going to happen overnight so be patient and kind to yourself and your child.
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