It’s hard to know what you can do until you try. In my book, Watch Me Do Yoga, a young girl challenges herself to try yoga postures that may seem difficult.
Trying. Trying again, and gaining confidence. It’s all part of growing.
Martín tests his balance at Natural Yoga in Bogotá, Colombia. That’s my drawing on the wall over to the right.
Knowing the wall is close by can help you to find your balance…
Iyengar yoga trained Suzie Dodd teaches yoga to schoolchildren in County Galway, Ireland. She sent in this photo of a 15-year-old boy who practices tree pose on a balance board while wearing an eye mask. Now that’s quite a challenge.
…but some like a bit more of a challenge.
Brigitta Ortner’s granddaughter Charli Jane, gets a lift. Brigitta began studying Iyengar yoga in 1994, and is certified to teach at the J1 level.
It’s true that we all need a helping hand (or bolster!) sometimes…
Another of Suzie’s students: “a boy who is normally not very physical or involved, was surprised and delighted to be able do Bhekasana with the rest of the class”.
…but sometimes a little extra effort yields big rewards.
Suzie’s granddaughter, Fern in her version of Padangustha Dhanurasana (an intensified version of Dhanurasana).
Fern’s super vibrant drawing.
Fern, again, working hard to lift and curve. Bhujangasana II. This pose is preparatory to Rajakapotasana.
Pull, lift and curve: Dhanurasana. This is Vickie Ewell’s granddaughter Marley. Vickie is director at The Yoga Loft in the Village in Sheffield, Ohio.
With only 20 pupils at rural Carron National School, County Galway, Ireland, Suzie Dodd has them all practicing shoulder stand together. When they’re not practicing yoga, the children are teaching Suzie (a city girl) the difference between the “moo” of a cow, the “moouo” of a calf, the “muuuuuooo” of a cow about to be milked, and the sound of a bull, which is apparently “uuuuuuuuuu.”
After all that effort, it’s time for a little restorative Supta Baddha Konasana.
Thanks to everyone who has sent me photos of their kids who were inspired by Watch Me Do Yoga; please keep sending them in. I try my best to correctly credit all the photos, but if I’ve forgotten your child’s name, or the parent or grandparent who sent in the photo, please send it to me, and I’ll update the post.
©2017 Bobby Clennell.
Bobby Clennell 