Sometimes I almost feel guilty that I receive a paycheck for what I do here at the newspaper. Such was the case last week when, while on the clock, I was practicing yoga, perfecting my relaxation techniques, eating snacks and working on crafts projects. It was hard to believe I was on assignment for the ?R-T Goes Back to School? series, but that?s where I was, taking part in the Yoga Kids class at Kids College on the campus of North Central Missouri College.
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Sometimes I almost feel guilty that I receive a paycheck for what I do here at the newspaper. Such was the case last week when, while on the clock, I was practicing yoga, perfecting my relaxation techniques, eating snacks and working on crafts projects. It was hard to believe I was on assignment for the ?R-T Goes Back to School? series, but that?s where I was, taking part in the Yoga Kids class at Kids College on the campus of North Central Missouri College.
Of course, when I first decided to take the yoga class, I pictured myself in a quiet room in a meditative state, becoming one with myself. I could see myself leaving Building B with a serene look on my face, ready to conquer the challenges of home and work with the calmness of a master yogi. I quickly learned that Kids College is for…well, kids.
Instructor Lori Maphies was enthusiastic and friendly as she greeted her students on the first day of the four-day class. In addition to me, there were Zachariah Kasinger of Billings and Shelby Bethards of Jefferson City, the grandchildren of Jerry and Carolyn Whitney of Galt, who were here visiting their grandparents and participating in Kids College classes in both the morning and the afternoon; Aryan Aikin of Lebanon, who was visiting her father in Hamilton and spending her afternoons at Kids College; Amber Maberry of Trenton; and Mrs. Maphies? daughter, Danielle.
Mrs. Maphies began the class by telling us a little bit about yoga, which means ?to join? – joining together the mind and body to work in harmony for the creation of a more balanced, responsible human being. Each day we spent time bending and flexing our bodies into various poses, imitating animals, trees and objects, enhancing our flexibility and concentration. And making me aware of muscles I had long forgotten. I can?t say that I felt pain, just the awareness that I was neglecting parts of my body related to balance and flexibility.
Of course, most yoga classes are quiet as participants are concentrating on balancing in the various poses and keeping their mind focused on the task at hand. But we?re talking about elementary students who are physically incapable of going more than a couple of minutes without giggling,. So we learned to do yoga in a noisy room. Our concentration skills were put to the test as there was usually one or more students in motion – either in the process of falling or in the process of moving to another part of the room where they thought they would be more comfortable. In the zigzag ?snake? exercise, where we were to lay on the floor with our heads on each other?s stomachs so we could feel each other?s steady, strong breathing, I nearly got whiplash from the laughter that was going on in the stomach under my head. If yoga is supposed to promote a good disposition and happy children, it was successful in this class as there was abundant laughter each day.
After yoga, the class spent about 10 minutes relaxing, which came to be my favorite part of the class. While the soft sounds of nature came from the CD player, class members were on our backs on the floor (feet slightly apart, palms up) while Mrs. Maphies took us through a relaxation exercise. She had us picture ourselves on the beach, on a fluffy cloud or stretched out on the grass. Warm sunlight was always a part of the visualization and we wore our ?eye pillows? filled with lavender to block out the light in the room and provide a treat for our senses.
During this time the room, surprisingly enough, became very quiet and still. It was unreal how the laughter and motion that had been such a part of the class came to an end when relaxation time began. Of course, inevitably, Mrs. Maphies would say, ?When you?re ready, roll over on your right side,? signaling the end of that coveted period of time.
Each day, Mrs. Maphies taught us how to prepare a healthy snack. One day it was trail mix, then yogurt parfaits, fruit kabobs and yogurt fruit smoothies. They were all delicious, but my suggestion that everything tastes better when dipped or smothered in chocolate didn?t get very far.
Our final activity of each day was a crafts project. On the very first day, with no advanced warning, I was required to sew a seam for my eye pillow. I nearly decided to drop the class at that point, but I persevered and the seam is still tight. We also made yoga bands, bracelets and, on the final day, wall hangings with the word ?namaste,? which means ?the best (or the light) in me greets or bows to the best (or light) in you.? We ended each yoga session by sitting in a circle and bowing to each other while saying ?namaste,? so hopefully the wall hangings will remind students of what they learned in yoga class.
I went into the class without any knowledge of yoga as did many of the other students. Some said they took the class because adults had signed them up for it. But each student told me that they enjoyed yoga and feel that it is something they could do on their own after the class is over.
In a society full of ?hurried? children who go from one activity to another, it is seldom that they are encouraged to slow down and breathe deeply. My Kids College experience taught me that yoga is more than sitting around and saying ?ommmm.? It can be a lifetime sport that enhances learning, focus, strength of body and coordination. And, it?s also fun.
Namaste!
by Ronda Lickteig