April Showers bring May Flowers
Fun Fact:
*In 1557 a gentleman by the name of Thomas Tusser compiled a
collection of writings he called “A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry”.
In the April Husbandry section he wrote:
“Sweet April showers
Do spring May flowers”
The rhyme was originally a short poem with meaning behind the words….
“April showers bring May flowers” is a reminder that even the most unpleasant things, like the heavy rains of April, can bring about amazing growth and beauty like an
abundance of flowers in May.
“April showers bring May flowers” is a lesson in patience and process and I believe there is a parallel between the rhyme and a yoga and mindfulness practice for children or adults.
A child is a little calmer and thus, more open to peace and the beauty around them after a little yoga and mindfulness. This could mean noticing how yummy their after-school snack is, having more patience with their sibling or noticing the beautiful of the grass, trees and flowers. This is true whether it’s a 5 minute home practice or a longer class at a place like a yoga studio, library or school.
We often begin class with an “Internal Weather Report” which we revisit after
Savasana (final relaxation). Some children may come into class slouching, tired or even bouncy and energetic. Their internal weather report may be cloudy, rainy, windy, partly sunny or full on sunshine. We check in at the beginning so they notice how they feel coming into class. We practice yoga and mindfulness and ask for another internal weather report at the end of class and it’s usually a little clearer and sunnier. We do this to demonstrate that even if you begin a yoga practice feeling like April Showers, you will feel peace, beauty and calm like May Flowers at the end of the practice.
You and your family can do their own Internal Weather Report at Home:
Just sit down, check in and tell each other what your internal weather report is at that moment. Then practice a few yoga poses or do a mindfulness activity and check in again after. Below are poses and mindfulness activities you can do anywhere at any time.
Poses that are Grounding and Earthbound:
Tree Pose
Mountain Pose
Downward Facing Dog
Childs Pose
Butterfly
Flower
Candlestick
Mindfulness Activities:
3 count breath (inhale 3 counts and exhale 3 counts)
Mindful walking (walking in silence for 30 seconds)
Mindful listening (ring bell and raise hand when you no longer hear it’s sound)
Listening to a guided meditation (Insight Timer or Calm)
So when your child comes home and his internal water report is cloudy and rainy or windy and chilly or partly sunny ..…perhaps you can practice a few yoga poses or do a mindfulness activity and see a ray of sunshine coming through.
