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The Capitol - Annapolis Online Around
Crofton By JENNIFER GINN, For The Capital Co-owner of Crofton Yoga and certified instructor Emily
Gretz recently collaborated with fellow instructor Steve Wolf to produce
"Yoga Nidra for Kids of All Ages," an audio CD featuring four
tracks designed to guide the listener toward relaxation or sleep. Emily, who is also mother to daughters Lily, 12 and Grace, 10, said she used Steve's previously recorded CDs a few years ago to help her own children when they had difficulty sleeping. Soon after, she and Steve agreed that they should put together a CD designed specifically for children.
Each meditation on the nearly hour-long CD guides the listener through the relaxation process while they listen to stories. One track invites the listener to relax on the beach, calling the child to feel the sand beneath their elbows and under their heels while taking in the sounds of the shore. "It's very calming when I am stressed out," said Amanda Oyler, a sixth-grader at Crofton Middle School. Her mom Arlene agreed saying, "It's perfect for nights when she can't fall asleep." Amanda sometimes asks her mom to stay with her for a few minutes while she listens to the CD before bed. "I can't stay long or I will fall asleep too," Arlene added. Arlene also likes that there are confidence builders included in the recording, beckoning the listener to think about their positive traits and then repeat them silently as affirmations. |
"Many
kids generate anxiety and have a hard time settling themselves down
in the evenings," said Emily. "We are consistently finding
that once kids start listening and are called to systematically pay
attention to their bodies, their minds can relax and they can go to
sleep."
