It seems like a perfect time for a contest, leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a copy of this beautiful book I’m going to review today. Mushroom Hollow Press sent me two free copies of this book, one to review and one to give away, but other than this, I’m not an affiliate of this product. Contest closes Sunday, December 6/09 at midnight so leave a comment for a chance to win.
Illustration for the First Chakra
from Seven Spirals, A Chaktra Sutra for Kids
by Deena Haiber and Aimee MacDonald
When I opened up Seven Spirals a couple weeks ago I was first in awe of the drawings. There’s rich colours and a simple format, a story for each chakra and then a big picture on the next 2 pages (like the picture above for the first Chakra).
What surprised me when I read it, was the minimal focus on the technical aspects of the chakra system. Instead, this book tells stories of what the chakras mean in our lives. It’s a departure from the typical chakra books out there, but I think it works – especially for kids.
Our book follows seven everyday-kids through a weekend
of their lives, giving us a glimpse at the meaning of the seven chakras,
and how they affect us every day.
Mushroom Hollow Press.
In my ten plus years teaching kids yoga, I have to admit that I rarely teach the chakras. It’s complicated to explain the concept quickly and in a way that kids will understand. Whenever I’ve covered this topic, it’s been in longer classes or day camps. So I brought Seven Sprials into five different 30 minute classes recently to see how the kids would react to the story-telling approach of this book.
Here what I found using the book in a kids yoga class:
- the book is easy to divide into small parts: In a 30 minute class we covered the first three chakras in one class, then the next weeks we did a quick re-cap and added another chakra, and so on till the finish.
- the stories were memorable, the kids were excited about the book and even a week later, the kids remembered the stories,
- You’ll need to give some time for the kids to comment, the stories are short but they lead to conversation,
- There are no yoga exercises in the book – so you’ll have to choose these on your own, there is a short chakra meditation at the end.
I recommend adding this book to your kids yoga library as a welcome addition to other more technical books on the chakras. The simple stories and pictures captured the kids attention in my classes. The book highlights poignant moments that give meaning in life, it creates a sense of balance.
If you would like to win a copy of Seven Spirals leave a comment by Sunday on this blog post. One person will be chosen randomly from all the comments to receive a copy of the book.
And if you don’t win you can always pick up your own copy at www.MushroomHollow.com.
Good luck to everyone!
Aruna Humphrys
[email protected]
© K. Humphrys
Namaste and Hello, everyone! I just wanted to tell you all how much you’ve warmed my heart this morning with your wonderful comments on my book. My illustrator, Aimee, is in the unfortunate situation of just having moved and not having internet set up yet (pure torture!) – but I have read some of your comments to her and I know I speak for her too when I tell you what a gift it was to be able to create this book for all the children in our lives. We never imagined that our book would go far beyond the local level and be embraced by kids everywhere, but, sure enough, that’s becoming the case more and more every day. The idea of kids all over the world enjoying and learning from our book is just… indescribable. Pure joy. 🙂 Thank you so much. 🙂
Aruna,
This would be a perfect addition to my Kindergarten yoga program. I am currently in 5 public schools with over 400 kids and I rely on donations and grants to keep it going. I do a short rainbow meditation that briefly mentions the aspects of the chakras, but this would be a wonderful tool to go more into depth. The illustrations are beautiful and I bet the kids would love it!
Thank you for your wonderful website! Children are our future and we are very lucky to be able to give them the gift of yoga.
Namaste
It sounds like a lovely book and one that is easily used in kids yoga classes. Thank goodness someone wrote about the chakras at the kid level. For more information on chakras visit http://yogainmyschool.com/2009/11/25/what-the-heck-are-chakras/
PS I really want to find this book under the tree this holiday season – PICK ME!
I appreciate receiving your emails with the Yoga News and information. As for the book, the illustration looks magnificant and vibrant, and that you are mentioning that the book tells how it applies to our lives, I think it is a great approach, amazing book for kids and the kids inside all of us.
I think it would be a great book to read with children, and also apply the knowledge to yoga for children and adults classes.
wow! you could almost dance into the picture, dive into the mountains and swirl into the tree. sounds like a great book, i love the idea of being able to explain to children about the chakras, especially through the example of other children…kind of like follow the leader, things are easier to follow with an example.
thanks for the suggestion!
lissa
In my mature class, I have been using character themes and affirmation themes for the 8 to 12 year old yogis and yoginis. This book of chakras would be a great way to introduce the chakras to the children.
Love your website as it is very clear on teaching methods.
Thank you Aruna
SatNam
Gisele
I have been teaching children yoga now for three years and love it. I have only touched on the chakras, using the rainbow. I am very excited about this book and look forward to reading it. Thank you for sharing this information. xx
Hi Aruna,
I cannot thank you enough for your website. It is the best resource that I go to for teaching kids yoga. I don’t know what I’d do without you! I could spend hours on this site and still feel like there are so many gems to uncover. Thanks again! Lisa
The book looks wonderful. In the New Year I am starting some new classes at my daughter’s school and would simply love to have access to such a wonderful looking book to help me to guide the children on their journeys. Here’s hoping the universe thinks I need the book too!!
This book sounds wonderful and I would love to share it with my daughter.
This would be a wonderful resource to add to my knowledge. My 3 1/2 year old loves doing yoga with me, so I’m interested to see what the chakra’s could mean to her.
gaileee
The book sounds great and I love the illustration above. I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the recommendation.
I love the illustration. If the rest of them are like this one, it must be a beautiful book. I would love to read the book to gain a more simple explanation of the chakras for myself!
This book is sure to be a wonderful tool to help me introduce the Chakras to the Yoga classes I teach at our village elementary school ~ thanks so much for reviewing it and sharing with us!
I teach yoga to children and almost gave it up until my daughter reminded me why I wanted to teach in the first place. I read a story every class and have a discussion about the topic. This book sounds wonderful to use in my classes. And I love your website. Thanks so much for sharing so much of yourself with me.
The illustration posted is beautiful! I would love reading this with my children.
Speaking as a mother, a writer, and dedicated yoga chick,this book sounds wonderful . . . can’t wait to pick it up.
This is perfect! My 6 year old daughter has been listening to an interactive CD with me in which you draw what you feel after meditating on each of the Chakras. This will help bring things to her level.