Why we love Balloons as Yoga Props!
It give the mind a focal point, pin pointing their attention to a physical object in each pose. This then becomes a foundation layer for later techniques where the focal point or our awareness is directed within the body, or more subtlety to the breath or to the mind.
It brings an additional layer of control and mind-body awareness within the postures. The balloon can be a physical representation of weight distribution in a pose, it helps with directional cues and steadiness within balance postures. Young minds understand balloons, when you put too much pressure on them, they pop. If your mind drifts away, the balloon might do too!
Balloons can be unpredictable, and so can life! A sweet littler metaphor and reminder that sometimes things don’t go the way we planned, but thats ok because yoga teaches us to remain calm and steady when unexpected changes arise.
Balloons are fun! When we lose our balance and the balloon floats away, it makes us laugh because of the unpredictability of the balloon and where it might go next. laughter is the ultimate medicine and joy is the whole point.
It adds a level of challenge that comes with stability, balance and deep concentration. Turning what might be a simple posture into something that requires a little more control and focus. Reminding us that the most impressive expression of the pose isn’t the point, but the version of the pose that we can achieve with steadiness and a calm state of mind, is.
We love to include ways to teach the depths of yoga in a super fun and enjoyable way. At a mental level they don’t need to know the logic behind it, the most important thing is that they are moving with joy. At a cellular and soul level, these activities can help to balance out the wiring of our brains from movement as competitive, to movement as joy.
As a parent it eases the mind to know there is always a method behind the madness. Kids yoga isn’t necessarily meant to look the same as an adults class on the outside, however energetically we follow the same progression and share the same wisdom (sugar coated in fun).
