How Yoga, Chakras, and Breathing Benefit Both Children and Adults

“There is a world inside my body.
I am one with everything.
The seven chakras
help the energy flow,
from the top of my head
down to each tiny toe.
I am nature,
and nature is me.
And when I need to feel anything,
I can close my eyes and breathe.”

We live in a world filled with stress and anxiety. Parents feel rushed, with little to no support in raising their children. Children face distractions from increased screen time, reduced physical activity, less parent time, overscheduling, higher academic expectations, sleep loss, and poor nutrition. They face situations their parents never experienced in their lives and can, therefore, receive only limited guidance. These modern challenges add to children’s anxiety.

How can we help each other find peace and calm? Parents and grandparents can look to nature’s ancient and constant lessons, like those offered by yoga and the chakras, for support. Yoga teaches that the body is organized into seven major power centers, or chakras, which are thought to impact our minds by associating with the endocrine system. 

When parents and caregivers share yoga and Ayurveda practices with children, they support their development with a better sense of awareness and calm. By tuning into the natural world’s rhythms, they can guide from a place of balance and peace.

Vanitha Swaminathan remembers how there were times as a child when it was hard for her to sit in a group and share her thoughts, ideas, and feelings. She tried very hard, but it was difficult for her to voice them. She felt that something was lacking. This book is a panacea for such situations, inviting children to explore their inner rainbow and respond to stress peacefully. 

She was fortunate to have the teachings of mindfulness via yoga that helped her listen to her feelings, listen to what her body wanted and what her heart said, and then integrate those emotions to make her body, mind, and spirit more balanced. 

When children learn to practice yoga and proper breathing early in life, they are better equipped to deal with stressful situations. Mindful activation of the parasympathetic nervous system via yoga and engagement with the chakras allows the body to rest and digest. 

Soothing yogic meditation invites children to explore their colorful inner rainbow to understand their feelings better and respond to stress peacefully. 

The following questions aim to help caretakers and their kids reflect on their overall well-being and energy balance, holistically connecting with their feelings and experiences.

• What makes us feel safe and secure?
• What activity makes us feel the most creative and happy?
• What makes us feel strong and confident?
• How do we show love and kindness?
• What are our favorite ways to express ourselves? 
• What are our favorite ways to listen?
• What imaginative games do we love to play? What stories do we tell? 
• How do we connect to others? 
• Which chakra are you feeling most invited to explore?

The knowledge and tools from yoga, chakras, mindfulness, and Ayurveda, as presented in “A Rainbow Inside My Body,” help children and adults unleash the power of the seven chakras. This helps them care for their bodies and minds and encourages inward and outward reflection.

By breathing in specific ways and eating certain foods aligned with the chakras, we can increase energy and create balance. “A Rainbow Inside My Body” empowers children and adults to regulate their emotions and find peace, starting their journey of harmony and peace early.