(Photo: Aurora leading the meditation during her mom’s Yoga class; courtesy of Jen Lantier-Novelli)
I’m Aurora Jalu. I’m 6-years-old. Just a few weeks ago, I gave a meditation at my mom’s Yoga class, “I am Yoga.” I hoped my friends could make it to support me because I was very nervous but as it turned out, I got great feedback from everyone. That gave me confidence, and I felt that I could do so much more.
The purpose of my meditation was to get the kids settled and in the Yoga zone. Before the meditation, I felt scared and anxious, but I knew that even if the children were like, ‘blah, blah, blah,’ my mom would be there to protect my feelings.
The gazing meditation is to get everyone to be more relaxed in life because sometimes it can be scary, and I think we deserve happiness and relaxation. The candlelight reminded me of mostly stars, maybe the sun, or the tiniest newborn baby, or the note of a baby bird’s first tune.
Usually, I am just in the Yoga classes, but I felt sooo cool to be the leader of one instead. It felt like a dream! I felt really grown up, sort of like I was my mom, teaching Yoga. It made me a little sad to be growing up so fast. The next time I lead a meditation, I wouldn’t change too much, but maybe I would use different words. They would mean the same thing as the first meditation.
I hope the kids will feel relaxed, caring, confident, and especially curious to see what’s around the next bend. Maybe do a meditation or two themselves. If other kids wanted to start meditating, my advice would be to relax. If you make any mistakes, cheer for yourself. The only way to learn is to make mistakes. In my family, we cherish mistakes – and that’s good since my dad sure does make a lot! At least, that’s what my mom says.
So, I hope when you read this to your kids they feel as much confidence as I do in the things that might be a little scary for them.
About the Author:
Aurora Jalu often accompanies mom Jen Lantier-Novelli to many of her Yoga classes as Jen’s assistant. She recently led her first meditation during one of the classes, which led Aurora to want to share her experience by writing about it. Aurora spent the summer “working” to make money for charity when she read that the rate of literacy for girls in India was so low. Jen notes, “I feel like I can learn from her every day.” Jen is the owner of Prancing Pony Prana, specializing in classes for kids and babies.
