by Jen Davis

Can you be present with what is, knowing it will change? This question is asked from time to time in yoga classes, usually during a particularly difficult pose. We are challenged to pay attention to the running dialogue in our minds and begin to change it so we can stay, breathe and find peace in the truth it will be different soon.

Needless to say this is not easy on the mat, nor out in the world. I know for myself, I fight to get away from uncomfortable feelings, and in the fleeing I usually make it worse. I am working to stay with what is off the mat knowing it will change in time; it always does.

I wanted to weave this theme into the kids yoga and art workshop. After a great yoga session, we read the book My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss. In the book, feelings and moods are compared to a spectrum of colors in a way kids can relate to. They were able to identify feelings they associated with different colors in so many interesting ways. We then went on to discuss the main theme of the book –that feelings change from day-to-day and hour-to-hour. I emphasized that a gray day can lead right into a green day, so just stay with the gray trusting it will change.

Like adults, kids can also experience different feelings at the same time. All of these concepts are reflected in the art projects the kids worked on. They create a visual reminder on the canvas that circumstances constantly change — and it is OK be present with what is.

Peace,
Jen