11 Apr 2013
Be Like a Butterfly~ Becoming Who You Are
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” ~Maya Angelou
Spring is a time of change and this week in my yoga classes, the children explored the life cycle of a butterfly. I began by reading them a Butterfly poem. Then we acted out how the little caterpillar grows inside its chrysalis and undergoes its transformation to become a beautiful butterfly. We sang their favorite Butterfly song and then played a butterfly game with feathers. The children paired up and one child would throw the feather gently in the air while the other tried to catch it carefully in the palm of their hand. They all enjoyed finding creative ways (like blowing on it) to pass the feather.
A butterfly symbolizes transformation and freedom. It represents hope for the future and stepping into a new life.
Sometimes I forget how much I have grown and what I needed to let go of to have the life I have now. As I continue to evolve into the woman I was meant to be, I am shedding old beliefs that no longer serve me, that have kept me from being “fully me”. Every day, I take more risks, I become more comfortable in my own skin and I love who I am a little bit more.
I teach yoga because I want all children to experience the freedom of the butterfly~ where they are not afraid to be who they are and to reach for their dreams.
Like a butterfly, we are always changing…until one day we emerge from our cocoon, spread our wings and FLY!
dulzimordash
April 11, 2013 @ 7:49 pm
Reblogged this on Nature’s Abhorred Vacuum.
Joan Gregerson
April 11, 2013 @ 9:13 pm
It is so cool that you teach yoga to kid! Love this post too! The image of caterpillar seeing a butterfly in the mirror is great!
Do you know of any kids yoga dvds that you could recommend? I teach English in South Korea and could fit in a little yoga, I think! I have the “Yoga Kids” animals and alphabet which I might try using a bit. I’m not a yoga teacher, but have done enough that I think I could share it with them. Maybe starting with some balance poses and other fun stuff!
matthewexeter
April 12, 2013 @ 3:22 am
Good idea!
Easter Ellen
April 12, 2013 @ 6:50 am
How lovely to teach this phenomenon to children. You have reminded me of a poem that I wrote a few years ago on a butterfly I am now inspired to post it again!. Thanks for the lovely metaphors.
Be Yoga Be Love
April 12, 2013 @ 9:14 am
Thank you Ellen! I love that you’re inspired and look forward to reading your butterfly poem. Betty
Easter Ellen
April 13, 2013 @ 7:54 am
Hi again. I have posted the poem about the butterfly that you had reminded me of. It is called Little Caterpillar, if tu would still like to see it. Thanks again for the idea.
Easter Ellen
April 13, 2013 @ 6:15 pm
Re Desert Sun
What a very beautiful poem. What a joyous love to be blessed with. 🙂
Be Yoga Be Love
April 13, 2013 @ 8:15 pm
Hi Joan, I am not familiar with Kids yoga DVDs, but you can use the Yoga Pretzels Deck. Take a look at my previous post that has lots of suggestions for music, books and kids yoga resources!
http://beyogabelove.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/kids-yoga-playlist-and-resources/
Betty
Joan Gregerson
April 14, 2013 @ 12:02 pm
Wow, great Betty! Thank you! The Pretzel Deck might be just the thing for my class. Then we can use one either at the beginning or end, or when we have a few minutes extra. I’ll look at some of the other suggestions too.
The YogaKids DVD’s are great! It’s just that I’m teaching in a school classroom so I can’t do many lie on the floor activities. So, the DVD program isn’t perfect for what I need for my class. But, for kids and parents at home, I think it would be great! It’s got some cute kids, good diversity, fun stuff.
Thanks again!!!
Be Yoga Be Love
April 26, 2013 @ 2:02 pm
Thanks so much, I just found this comment in my Spam. I really appreciate you sharing it on your blog! Betty
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judiesjuice
August 2, 2013 @ 8:20 am
Betty, what butterfly game did you play with the kids? Thank you for sharing! Judie