Have you ever sat or laid on a warm rock and felt its overwhelming powers. Have you taken the time to notice how it feels as if you are connecting with the earth?
Rocks and stones represent stillness. They are as ancient as the earth itself with stories to tell of our ancestors, they carry the spirits of our past, and will continue to outlast us for countless lifetimes to come.
Children seem to be instinctively drawn to rocks and stones, finding little treasures at the beach, in the forest, down by the river and on the side walk. I often find pockets full of pebbles and stones in my little yogis clothes. I remember when she was only just 3 on a walk around the hills, she stopped to admire quiet a large red rock (Duri Crust) squatted down to touch it and have a little chat with it, she then proceeded, with great might, to pick up the rock and told me to put it in my pocket! An impossible task as the rock was bigger than my head.
Since that day she has collected many rocks and stones in our local area, always asks the earths permission before taking them and has a rock tumbler to turn these found items into treasures.
A few months ago we went down to our secret spot near the river where we live.One day on an adventure, she laid flat on top of this large granite rock formation, rested her ear to the rock and listened intently. She explained to me that the message she received was to “Love life, its perfect the way it is” Her words.
Rocks can really help a child feel connected and grounded. We all need a little time to come back home to ourselves so I thought I would share with you this Grounding Meditation.
- Firstly we invite you and your little yogi to search for one or two stone treasures on a mindful walk.
- Then find a peaceful, quiet, safe space either inside or out in nature to sit down comfortably. Relax your body.
- Hold your stones in your hands. feel the weight of the stone, take your time.
- Stroke your stone now with your fingers, notice the smoothness or weather the stone has bumps or spikes. Turn it slowly notice the colours and texture.
- Are there any shapes in the stones or does the shape remind you of anything.
- Take a deep breath in through your nose and sigh out the air from your mouth, softening your body into the earth.
- Now close your eyes/
- Take a moment to make a connection with this stone, thinking about the journey it has been on to make it here into your hand. How the earth has formed this rock with its love and care. Think about how maybe people from along time ago have used this rock or touched it with their own hands. Connect with the thought of what animals and plants have grown up with around this rock.
- Take a deep breath in through your nose and sigh out your breath with a smile.
- Now take a moment to see your rock in your imagination, what does it look like, feel like, how does your rock make you feel and does it have a special message for you.
- Take another breathe before saying thank you to the rock and opening your eyes. Take a moment to see how you feel and maybe draw a picture or write down the rocks message in your yoga journal.
This meditation is great for centering and grounding a child when they need some time to come back to earth. These rocks can also be used to help disperse negative energy or worry. Simply tell the stone your anger and worry’s, then throw the stone into a lake or pond, giving permission for the stone to carry away the negative thoughts.
After all the meditations, your little yogi can either keep the stones in a safe pouch or meditation box or they can create story stones with them, give them back to the earth in the form of a mandala, or they can collect them in a basket.
For more tips on meditations and centering, check out out youtube channel and other blogs found here.
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