Without knowing the art of relaxation, children are not able to take time out of their busy days to decompress, de-stress and connect with their inner knowing, which strengthens their self-esteem. 

Learning the art of relaxation helps children feel good about themselves.  Because they are able to meaningfully connect with and explore their feelings, children are able to sit with themselves and just enjoy what is.  Daily restorative relaxation helps children unplug from life's hectic scheduling and have a moment of peace and quiet, which as it turns out, they need just as much as adults do. 

The art of relaxation is a learned skill much needed in today's society.  As technology makes advances and we continually plug in for entertainment, learning, and even relaxing, we cannot forget the true value in the inner, quiet calm that relaxes our minds and bodies as it releases us from the binds of stress and negativity.  Relaxation, in short, re-balances us. 

Daily restorative relaxation is easy to do and only takes about ten minutes.  It can easily be incorporated into any busy schedule.  It also provides the positive effects of strengthening family bonds as you spend time together in calm and contemplation.  As children feel this calm, and the eventual joy that comes in reconnecting with their inner nature, their confidence in themselves will grow as they begin to understand their true inherent value. 

There are many paths to relaxation.  One easy technique I suggest to begin with is one that calms the mind and the body, and is easily taught to even very young children.  It's called the "Balloon Breath."  This is repeated deep breathing as you and your children imagine a big balloon inflating in the belly as you inhale.  Inhale deeply and allow the balloon to inflate, and then slowly exhale and release all the air as the balloon deflates.  Breathe in again slowly and deeply through the nose and allow the warmed air to flow down into the belly again, inflating the balloon, and again exhale.  This imagery teaches deep yogic breathing.  You  may be familiar with this breath if you practice yoga.  It is true breathing, not the shallow breathing practiced by so many today which tends to keep the body in a contracted, ready-to-go state.  The wonderful consequence of this breathing technique is that it signals to the body that all is well -- the heart rate slows down, the muscles retract, and the body begins to deeply relax.  You can do this even throughout the day, visualizing the balloon in your mind and practicing the deep breathing.   

Another favorite technique of mine is the "Number Relaxation Technique."  In this technique, you simply count down from five to one, and in between each number, instruct the body to r-e-l-a-x.  This technique works in conjunction with deep breathing and relaxes the mind and body quickly. 

With either of these relaxation techniques, you can then help your children by using mental imagery, like blowing big bubbles far away, to release negative events of the day, or writing down, crumpling up, and throwing away negative feelings (after they've been discussed, of course) and even visualizing success to achieve goals!   

By working with your children to learn the art of relaxation, you are giving a gift that they can refer back to throughout their lives.  Encourage your children to use relaxation each and every day as their special place to go inside themselves.  As they begin to do this on a regular basis, they will come to understand their inherent value.  They will also learn that their refuge from the world resides inside of them -- not in exterior material things or people. Your children become independent and confident in knowing that they can discover the answers to their lives inside of themselves.