Shiva Process for Kids

On Sunday 3rd July we held a very successful Shiva Process for Kids workshop at the ashram. In a lively and dynamic session, Usha had the children playing games, doing exercises and yoga asanas to get them present and start to feel what is going on in their bodies.

They learned about Upward Shifts and Downward Shifts – or what makes them feel good and when they feel bad. Everyone was encouraged to express what they found in their inner worlds, and they also had a chance to draw it creatively.

At one point Usha had the group doing very short 'sleeping sitting up' practice, and then after some shares of what they saw inside, she surprised them by announcing that they'd just meditated!

Once Usha had prepared the ground, she moved on to the 'Big Game' - Shiva Process, and taught them about A and B statements. They practiced these in the group, and then had a chance to go away and have an individual session one-on-one with an ashramite or householder. Some kids were feeling great after a couple of minutes, while others went deeper, but they all had good shifts and then went back over to the tables to draw their new inner worlds.

After a moving and entertaining sharing session in a big circle, the kids went into the dining room for a gorgeous feast prepared by Gauri, to celebrate their inner shifts. Throughout the workshop Usha held the kids captivated and introduced them to Swamiji's teachings on meditation and Self-inquiry in a simple and fun way.

Usha working with the kids