Children's Meditation - Banana Breaths With Miko The Monkey

This meditation helps children calm down by doing 'banana breaths' with Miko the Monkey. They also learn about playfulness and caring about each other and their families. This can be listened to anytime of day. I hope you enjoy it!

Transcript

Hello, Jumbo little explorer. This is Reshma of Safari and Soul. I'm so happy that you're joining me here today. Today we're going to do a little meditation. On doing some banana breaths. And you're probably wondering, What's a banana bread? Well, I'm going to tell you. Find a cozy spot Maybe you're sitting or maybe you'd like to lie down. And let your body be still. Just like a leaf resting on the forest floor. If you would like, You can close your eyes. Shall we take a deep breath in? Let's take an inhale and count to three through our nose. One. Two. Three and hold it at the top and let it out with a soft sigh. Thank you. Should we do that again? One more time. Breathing in as if we're breathing in fresh forest air. One. Two. Breathe. Let our breath float away. Continue to breathe normally. And with your eyes closed. Can you hear something? I hear something. With your eyes closed, Imagine. That you're standing in a forest filled with all sizes and shapes of trees. And up above your head. You can hear the leaves rustling. Can you hear them? Can you hear the little chatter? What is that? Hey! That is Miko the monkey! Miko the monkey swings down from a branch and lands right beside you with a happy little bounce. Nico is a Sykes monkey and him and his family are often seen in the urban forests of Nairobi. His eyes are bright and twinkly. And his tail curves like a question mark. Miko loves to play more than anything else. Miko wiggles his fingers and wiggles his toes. Can you wiggle yours too? Wiggle wiggle. There we go. Wiggle. And now we let them rest. Soft and still. Mikko looks at you and giggles. He thinks you're very good at this. Miko wants to teach you his favorite game. The banana bread. Reach your arms up slowly like you're picking a banana from the tallest tree that has bananas. And as you do that, Breathe in. And now bring your arms down gently as you breathe out. Well done! Shall we do that again? As you breathe in, Reach up high. Breathe in the sunshine and try and get a banana. And then float your arms back down. And breathe out slowly. Miko claps his little hands. Playing together feels good, Doesn't it? When we play. We share our happiness with our friends. Suddenly, Miko sits very still. His ears start to move and twitch. And from not so far away across the treetops comes a loud sound. Do you remember what that is? That's Miko's family. Calling him through the forest. Monkeys called to each other to say, I'm here. Are you safe? I'm thinking of you. Even when they can't see each other. They can hear each other. And their calls keep them close. Miko cups his hands around his mouth and calls back. Softly and sweet. His call means. I'm safe. I love you. I'll see you soon. Mako never forgets his family. Even in the middle of the best game ever. Caring for the people we love is the most important thing of all. Now it's your turn, Little explorer. But instead of Miko's call. It's going to be a quiet call, A secret one. Put your right hand softly on your heart. And maybe your left hand on top of your right hand. Can you feel your heartbeat? It goes dum, Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum. Think of someone you love as you're listening to your heartbeat. Maybe during the next June? Maybe they're right next to you. Or maybe they're really far away. Breathe in. And with your eyes still closed as you breathe out. Imagine your heart sending them a call just like Nico's. I'm here. I love you. You matter to me. Your love can travel anywhere. Over treetops, Across rivers, All the way around the world. Whenever you miss someone, You can send your heart call. And the love inside you will glow warm like the sun in the forest. Miku's family calls again. It's time for him to go home. He looks at you and gives you a little hug. With his fuzzy arms. Almost as if he's whispering to you. Remember, My little friend. Playing with your whole heart. And always answer the ones who love you. Then up he goes, Swinging from branch to branch, Calling happily all the way home. Bye, Mikko. Shall we take one last slow banana breath in, Just like Mikko taught us? Trying to get to the bananas. And hands down. Wiggle your fingers, Wiggle your toes. And when you're ready. You can watch your eyes open. You played, You cared, And you sent your love out into the world. Miko is so proud of you. And so am I. Thank you so much for joining me and Mikko today. Have a great day and remember, Whenever you think of someone you really care about, Just put your hand to your heart. And send them your heart call. Have a great day, Little explorer. Bye for now.