Yoga with Children

Frog’s Breathtaking Speech
by Michael Chissick, illustrated by Sarah Peacock
( Singing Dragon)
Frog,sits by the river feeling troubled. He has to give a speech at Frog School assembly next day, and the topic is breathing, about which he knows very little. However along come four of his friends in turn, wanting to know the reason for his sad face. Each then offers his own special way of breathing to help cope with calming oneself, relaxing the jaw, headaches and dissipating anger, respectively. Armed with notes on all four techniques, Frog goes home and prepares his speech.
    Next morning in assembly, the sight of a hall full of faces causes anxious feelings in Frog but then he remembers what Crocodile, Lion, Bee and the woodcutter had told him about breathing and goes on to deliver an amazing ‘Breathtaking’ speech for which he receives a special certificate. But more important, he now has the knowledge that will help him deal with some of the problem situations he might find himself facing.
   As somebody who works with young children and who has also been teaching yoga to some of them for over ten years using a story approach, I have come across many yoga books that offer story ideas. However, amusingly illustrated in watercolours, this is the first picture book proper that I have seen dealing with breathing techniques in particular. In addition to the main narrative, there is an introductory “Guidance for Teachers’ section pointing out how the book can be integrated into a school PSED curriculum (though it can also be used in a family setting) and a final section on the actual animal postures. Well worth seeking out.
(reviewed by Jill Bennett)
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Integrated Yoga
by Nicole Cuomo
(Jessica Kingsley)
Subtitled Yoga with a Sensory Integrative Approach, this highly readable, practical and helpful book is written by a school-based paediatric occupational therapist who is also yoga practitioner and teacher. Thus it is based on a wealth of experience, which as the author says, is intended to enhance, rather than take the place of, work with a qualified professional therapist. It is aimed primarily at educators and parents who care for or have, children with sensory processing difficulties. Having said that the book could also be very useful for any teacher or parent who wants to share yoga with a group of children or an individual child.
   There are six parts, the longest being that concerned with detailing breathing exercises (pranayama)and the basic postures (asanas). Each physical posture is further broken down into adaptations for different age groups: 3-5 year olds, 5-8year olds and 8-11 year olds and where appropriate, age-specific instructions are given for breathing exercises. There are also numerous black and white photographs.
   Other sections discuss what yoga actually is, provide a brief overview of sensory integration including how it may manifest in individuals, explain the synergistic effects of yoga and sensory integration, and provide information on timing, surfaces, age guidelines and different ways to use the postures.
(reviewed by Jill Bennett)
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