What child doesn't love chocolate? This Valentines Day inspired kids yoga meditation combines that love with a mindful practice that will leave your children feeling full of chocolaty bliss! I use this meditation every year around this time (and usually again at Easter and Christmas). the children who have done the exercise before get SO excited and the ones who haven't beg to do it again as soon as we're finished! Before we go into the details, I have to send a huge shout out to Rainbow Yoga Kids (www.rainbowyogakids.com) for introducing me to this amazing meditation. Thank you for your creativity and inspiration!
Now, here it is!
"Okay boys and girls, I am going to share something very special with you now, but before we begin there are a few rules we need to cover. One, you must keep your eyes closed at all times - no matter what happenes & two, no chewing! Sitting with your legs crossed, hands on your knees - roll your shoulder back and be as tall as you can be. Now close those eyes and keep them shut! Open your mouth just a little bit. I am going to come around and place something into your mouth, I promise it is very tasty and you will love it! Once you feel it in your mouth you can close your mouth around it, and remember no chewing! Just let it melt."
Now, here it is!
"Okay boys and girls, I am going to share something very special with you now, but before we begin there are a few rules we need to cover. One, you must keep your eyes closed at all times - no matter what happenes & two, no chewing! Sitting with your legs crossed, hands on your knees - roll your shoulder back and be as tall as you can be. Now close those eyes and keep them shut! Open your mouth just a little bit. I am going to come around and place something into your mouth, I promise it is very tasty and you will love it! Once you feel it in your mouth you can close your mouth around it, and remember no chewing! Just let it melt."
| As a side note, we typically use Hershey's Kisses for this exercise, as they are nut free & slightly larger for a little mouth so they take a while to melt completely. Also, if you are doing this with a class of children be sure to ask parents first if there are any allergies and confirm that it is okay to give them chocolate! You could also have a hard candy like a Werther's just in case :) | 
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Once each child has a chocolate in their mouth....
"As you let it melt, let your mind melt into it. Keeping your eyes closed, notice all the things about it that you might have missed before because your mind was somewhere else. Notice the texture, the temperature, the flavour. No chewing! Breathe! Simply let it melt, and as it melts let your mind melt into it. Smell it. Taste it. Feel it. Let all the sensations penetrate even deeper. (After a minute or two) Now slowly, you can begin to chew, no swallowing yet! As you chew, swirl the flavours around in your mouth and notice how different or how the same it tastes all over. If you need to continue chewing, go ahead, but if you are done you can begin to swallow slowly. Now stay in silence for a moment longer - enjoying the bliss from within."
After the exercise is done, I ask the children to share their experience. Here are some thought jogging questions: What was it like having a chocolate in your mouth, and knowing that you were not allowed to chew it? What did you find challenging about this exercise? What did you find easy about this exercise?
I hope that this meditation will serve your children well! It really is quite amazing to what it all unfold. Happy Valentine's Day!
Always remember, be bright, be bold, be you! Let your light shine!
Love,
Vanessa
"As you let it melt, let your mind melt into it. Keeping your eyes closed, notice all the things about it that you might have missed before because your mind was somewhere else. Notice the texture, the temperature, the flavour. No chewing! Breathe! Simply let it melt, and as it melts let your mind melt into it. Smell it. Taste it. Feel it. Let all the sensations penetrate even deeper. (After a minute or two) Now slowly, you can begin to chew, no swallowing yet! As you chew, swirl the flavours around in your mouth and notice how different or how the same it tastes all over. If you need to continue chewing, go ahead, but if you are done you can begin to swallow slowly. Now stay in silence for a moment longer - enjoying the bliss from within."
After the exercise is done, I ask the children to share their experience. Here are some thought jogging questions: What was it like having a chocolate in your mouth, and knowing that you were not allowed to chew it? What did you find challenging about this exercise? What did you find easy about this exercise?
I hope that this meditation will serve your children well! It really is quite amazing to what it all unfold. Happy Valentine's Day!
Always remember, be bright, be bold, be you! Let your light shine!
Love,
Vanessa
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