5 Poses to connect with your child on a deeper level

5/21/2023

5 Poses to connect with your child on a deeper level

The feeling of being disconnected and stuck in a never-ending to-do list can be overwhelming. As a parent, it can feel like you're just surviving rather than truly living. The weight of responsibility can be suffocating, leaving you feeling trapped and unfulfilled. It's like being stuck in quicksand, every step forward feels like a struggle. The days blur together, and it's hard to remember the last time you did something fun together. The constant demands of parenthood can leave you feeling drained and disconnected from the things that used to bring you joy.

It's a feeling of being lost in the chaos of daily life, desperately searching for a way out.
The good news is that there is a way out. It just takes some going back to basics, uncomplicating life and focusing on the here and now. If we allow ourselves to rest and have fun and play, even when the house is a mess, even when there is loads to do, we can come out of this rut of feeling disconnected and overwhelmed. I have not found the secret to keeping a tidy home with young children, but I have found a way to feel connected with my children, have fun with them and care for our well-being - even when life feels chaotic and there is so much to do!

I want to share 5 of our favourite poses to practice together for more connection and quality time together. Let me know which ones you'll be practicing together!
When we do poses together, it's like a team-building activity. We learn how to be gentle, kind, and respectful to each other. We even learn how to communicate and work together better, not just with words but non-verbally too.

Caution: Practicing yoga can be a beneficial addition to one's physical and mental health routine. However, it is important to note that practicing yoga carries risks and individuals should obtain consent from their doctor before beginning any new physical activity if they are unsure of anything. The liability for any injuries incurred during yoga practice lies solely with the individual practicing or the adult caring for minors. It is important to listen to your own body and not push beyond your limits.

In this video I explain a little more about how to practice each pose. I'm not demonstrating the poses - only talking about them. Take a look: here.

Pose One: The Paddle Boat

To make a paddle boat lay down on your backs, joining your feet together. Press your feet together so that as you push your foot forward, their foot that is connecting to yours, moves back. All the while your other foot is moving back as their connecting foot pushes forward. Keep peddling!

Pose Two: The Strong Tree

Stand side by side with your child and hug each other around the waist or shoulders. Lift one foot and rest it on your calf, thigh or toes on the ground with your heel resting on your opposite ankle. Join your free hand with theirs, pressing flat, open palms together. Breathe here for 3 to 5 breaths. When you're ready, switch to the other leg. Can you do it with your eyes closed? You got this!

Pose Three: The Cheeky Monkey

The parent/adult stands strong, focusing on grounding their feet in to the earth. The adult and child hold onto each others forearm/ wrist area. This allows for a greater grip than just holding hands. The child then starts to walk up the adults body until they are hanging upside down like a monkey. To get out of this pose your child can wrap their legs around your waist as pull them up for a hug. This can a tricky one to get in and out of so really just listen to your own bodies, play with the pose and make it work for you. Never do anything that doesn't feel safe for you or your child.

Pose Four - The Ladder

The adult lays down and has their hands up in front of them ready to support the child's ankles. The child brings their hands either side of the adults ankles and then lifts their legs one at a time and places them into the adult's hands. Child then holds a strong plank pose. Why it is called a ladder is because you can keep building onto this pose but I'd recommend only doing that in the guidance of a class with people their to act as spotters/catchers.

Pose Five - Lizard on a rock

The adult comes into a child's pose, a version that is comfortable to them. It could be knees together, knees wide or supported with a bolster. The child then sits on the adults lower back and then slowly leans back into a laying position. It could definitely help to have another pair of hands to help guide this one, especially in the beginning.

There we have it!

5 Poses you can practice with your child for deeper connection. Just remember to focus on being together, communicating and playing around with these poses. Ask them what they would call the pose or if they have any ideas as an alternative. You could also try creating a story with these poses! For example, peddling the boat out to a desert island, finding a strong tree with a cheeky monkey. Having to climb a ladder to get the monkey a banana. Then having a rest in the lizard on a rock pose - You could call it sunbathing pose- at the end; Or maybe seeing a lizard on a rock and then coming into that pose. There are so many possibilities, try them in a different order even.

Comment below if you and your child make up any fun stories using these poses, I want to hear them!