Full of Joy Yoga

Yoga for Children. Joy for Life

  • About
    • The Story of Full of Joy Yoga
    • Our Teachers
    • Benefits
    • Friends of FOJY
    • Information
    • FOJY Partners
  • Book
  • Kids
    • Preschool Yoga Classes
    • Birthday Parties & Special Events
    • Private Classes
  • Teachers
    • Upcoming Trainings, Workshops, Webinars
    • Become a FOJY Warrior
    • 20 hour Kids Yoga Teacher Training
    • Find a Trained FOJY Teacher
    • Teacher Tools
  • Community
    • IRIS – Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services
    • Yoga Reaches Out
    • Africa Yoga Project
    • Amal Alliance
    • United We Om
    • In the Press
    • Mindfulness Month: Yoga for Kids & Families
  • Mindful Yoga Breaks®
  • Shop
    • Mindful Yoga Breaks
      • Products
      • Online Videos
      • Workshops
    • FOJY Products
    • Lesson Plans
    • Books and Cards
    • Peace Corner & Teaching Props
  • Blog
  •  

January 30, 2015

I am Patient…I am Kind

These are 2 of my new affirmation/mantras I’ve been using while on my 40 day meditation challenge. My friend Giselle of Kids Yoga Stories shared her own 40 day meditation challenge last year and I decided to start my own. I’m on day 25 which I almost can’t believe because of how many times in my life I’ve tried to incorporate meditation into my daily life. It’s never stuck and I hadn’t found something that works with me until now. I’ve dabbled, but never have done 25 days straight! I’ve read that it takes 40 days of doing something to form a habit and I’m a believer! After 25 days of this, I can’t imagine my morning without it. 

I read 2 really great articles about meditating with a mala and you can find them here and here. 

I had a beautiful mala I bought years ago and decided to start using it to help me meditate. While the pink was soothing and symbolized fertility (I bought it when I was trying to get pregnant with Zephyr) I just don’t feel that connected to it. I decided that as a self proclaimed “diy-er” I would learn to make my own mala. Something that personal would make me want to use it every morning. Here is my first go at it- and I absolutely LOVE it. It came out beautiful for my first try. I had gone to a bead store and picked out stones that connected with me. I loved the process from beginning to end! I plan on making a few more, as I would love to make some for friends and maybe sell some too. Years ago I made necklaces and sold them, so this seems like the perfect next step on this path. 

So what does my morning routine look like? It consists of a 10 min bootcamp video, a 10 min yoga video (as part of a 90 day challenge I’m participating in!) and then I sit with my mala and just chill. 

Zephyr is usually sitting on the couch watching his cartoons, but more often then not, he makes his way over to me, to correct my form (!!), do some yoga with me, or just sit in my lap while I meditate. Sometimes he talks to me, plays with his toys, climbs on me- but its all part of it! I do what I need to do to bring focus, peace and joy to my day. It has been working. I feel happier, more focused and so much more ready to start my day. 

I weave in my mantra at the beginning and end, while counting the malas in between. I go through the mala twice which is about 15 min. Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes not. I’m still looking for music I like in the background – I’ve found a few Krishna Das songs that work for me.

I’ll say to myself- “I am patient, I am kind, I am thoughtful, I am peaceful, etc.” (whatever comes to mind that morning) and it resonates with me all day long as I deal with 3 yr old tantrums over everything and nothing, balancing my teaching and all the projects I want to complete, and especially my relationship with my husband Chris. Even the best marriages take patience & thoughtfulness – 2 things I need to work on and this is a perfect reminder to myself. Not only am I trying to be patient with others, but most importantly, with myself as well! 

Do you meditate? Or struggle as well? I’d love to hear what works for you! Join me on this path if it’s something you are interested in. We can do this together!

Article by Lani Rosen / children, childrens yoga, classroom, kids, Kids Yoga, kids yoga classes, Lifestyle/ Family, mala, mantras, meditation, namaste, Peace, yoga for children 3 Comments

Comments

  1. kasey says

    January 30, 2015 at 4:49 pm

    I tried to meditate before getting out of bed this morning, but halfway through my mantra I felt a tap on my shoulder as someone reminded me it was time to get up and start getting ready! I have been trying to work this practice into my routine, but I need to find the right time and place 🙂

    Reply
  2. Lani Rosen-Gallagher says

    February 5, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    Kasey – its such a challenge with the kiddos. I find Zephyr on my lap or crawling all over me half the time. Getting up earlier is one of my main goals in making this work without rushing!!

    Reply
  3. Bianca says

    April 8, 2019 at 6:00 am

    Cute mantras. I’m going to try it myself. Although, I might replace kind with energetic because I don’t want to completely fool myself.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Full of Joy Yoga Newsletter

Full of Joy Yoga (Kids Yoga Teacher Trainings & Kids and family yoga classes)

(Teacher Workshops & Classes)

Latest from the Blog

This is Your Brain on Stress
We all know that reasoning doesn’t work during a meltdown. Christyn of KidPowerment Yoga chatted with me about what is happening
Read more.
Peace Begins with Me
How are you a peaceful warrior? What do you stand for? In this class for kids ages 3-9yrs, Lani shares
Read more.
Why YOU, Yes YOU Should Start a Gratitude Practice
and how a gratitude practice can bring more joy to your life. The definition of gratitude is the quality of
Read more.

Recent Posts

  • This is Your Brain on Stress February 21, 2021
  • Peace Begins with Me January 20, 2020
  • Why YOU, Yes YOU Should Start a Gratitude Practice October 31, 2019
  • How to Create a Mindful Glitter Bottle September 5, 2019
  • School to Summer Transitions May 29, 2019

Shop by Category

Good to Know

  • Contact
  • Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Become a FOJY Warrior
  • Registration and Waiver Form

Yoga Alliance

yoga alliance, yoga badges

Keep in Touch

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Copyright © Full of Joy Yoga 2019. All Rights Reserved.
Developed by Renaissance Web Solutions