Today we're going to stay right here by the campfire and take a moment to appreciate the sun,
The moon,
The stars,
And the earth.
Ansel's with me today.
Here have a marshmallow.
At best day yet we teach kids tools for peace and a lot of times that means we take a lot of deep breaths.
But today we're going to try something totally different and teach you a way to calm yourselves down using only your thumb and fingertips.
This practice is based on ancient mudras and kundalini yoga but we've adapted it to make it fun and easy for kids.
If you're not seated yet take a seat somewhere comfortable where your spine is straight.
Shift around until you feel still inside and out.
Feel the ground beneath you supporting your weight and if you feel comfortable with it close your eyes.
You can hear the fire crackling and the crickets chirping.
You can see stars above.
Today your thumb is going to do some traveling around and visit with each of your four fingers.
The first finger your thumb will visit is your pointer finger.
Which one is the pointer?
Your pointer finger is the one closest to your thumb.
It's the one you use to point.
Your thumb will gently touch your pointer finger and when they come together you will imagine the sun.
You think of the sun the powerful hot sun that has the energy to turn seeds into trees that makes all life possible.
Pause feeling both fingers touching and imagining sun.
Next your thumb will visit your middle finger.
The two fingers rest gently together and you'll think of the moon.
The gentle nourishing moonlight that guides you in the dark that lights everything up in the night with its soft silvery light.
Pause feeling both fingers touching and imagining the moon.
Next your thumb will visit your index finger.
Which one is the index?
It's right next to your pinky.
The two fingers rest together and you'll think of the earth.
Our sweet calm blue earth.
It's holding us always,
Cradling us and keeping us grounded and near.
Pause feeling both fingers touching and imagine the earth.
Now your thumb moves very gently to your last finger.
The pinky.
Yes the pinky.
When your thumb touches your pinky you'll think of the universe.
The endless expanding universe full of mystery and black holes.
Yes black holes full of magic.
Infinite possibilities.
Pause feeling both fingers touching and imagining the moon.
Now your thumb will visit your index finger.
The two fingers rest gently together and you'll think of the earth.
The two fingers rest gently touching and imagining the moon.
Now lift your thumb up,
Wiggle it around and let's go back for another round of visits.
First it visits the pointer finger.
Yes the pointer finger and you think of the powerful sun.
If you want you can say or whisper powerful sun.
Powerful sun.
Next your thumb moves to the middle finger.
Yes and you think of the gentle moon.
If you want you can say or whisper gentle moon.
Gentle moon.
Next your thumb moves to the index finger.
Yep and you think of the calm grounded earth.
You can say or whisper calm earth.
Calm earth.
Last your thumb visits the pinky.
Yes the pinky and you think of the universe.
The magical mysterious universe.
You can say or whisper magical universe.
Lift your thumb up,
Wiggle it around again because your thumb is about to go back around for a final round.
This time we'll turn this practice into affirmations.
First your thumb visits your pointer finger.
Either out loud or silently you will say I am powerful like the sun.
I'm powerful like the sun.
And pause to feel your own energy and power.
Your thumb visits the middle finger and you can say aloud or silently.
I am gentle like the moon.
I'm gentle like the moon.
And you'll pause to feel the part of you that is gentle and careful.
Your thumb visits the index finger and you'll say out loud or silently.
I am calm like the earth.
I am calm like the earth.
And pause to feel that part of you that is grounded and still.
Your thumb moves very gently to the pinky and you will say I am magic like the universe.
I am magic like the universe.
And think of your own endless possibilities.
How much potential and magic exists inside you right now?
How did that practice make you feel?
Calm and awesome.
I feel calm and awesome too.
Now that you know this practice you can use it anywhere.
While you're waiting in line,
Trying to fall asleep,
Riding in the car.
Our time is up.
The powerful calm magical one in me sees the powerful calm magical one in me.
The calm magical one in you.
And I wish you the best day yet.
You
