Mandala is Sanskrit for Circle or Center.
When we get absorbed in colouring a Mandala is allows our mind to relax and just focus on the simple pleasure of adding colour to a design or creating a design.
We are tuning into the creative side of our brain and allowing the rule and order side to take a break. By doing this we are actually coming back to our center and getting focused again on what is truly important.
People often have this impression of how a yoga class for kids should be calm and relaxing, everything all zen.
When the reality is we are meeting many needs for kids through being active, releasing stress plus stretching and strengthening the body. In an adult class this is often done in a calm and meditative way, with kids its somewhat more chaotic…
There are times when you are teaching a yoga class when everything seems all but calm but when its almost over and we head to the craft area and get out the coloured pens and pencils the kids are all of sudden calm, focused and totally at peace.
Some days I start my classes with this just so we have a hope of concentrating later on…
Did you ever notice how kids concentrate so hard when they colour? They are completely consuming by this one task.
Then the flip side – ever notice how hard it is to sit and meditate?
We all know how good meditation is for us however the actually sitting still and keeping the mind focused on the breath or just being unattached to thoughts can be really hard.
Meditating can be simply the practice of doing one thing at a time.
Colouring Mandalas is the perfect meditation activity for kids but its also super restful and centering for teens and adults too.
Enjoy these sample mandalas to decorate, colour and meditate. Do one alongside your child or student and just notice how calm and centered this focus can be.
There are so many resources on-line for this here are a few of my favourites but a quick search will lead you to a variety of options for any theme or holiday that is relevant.