Meditation has been known to help many children overcome hyperactivity, ADHD, depression and anxiety. Since your kids are likely to have shorter attention spans that adults, it is important to use specific techniques to introduce them to meditation. You know your kids best and you will be able to discern which techniques will be appropriate for your child's personality. Yet, your child is sure to benefit from the ancient art of meditation regardless of which technique you use.
Walking
On a familiar trail that is quiet, begin a walking meditation by showing the children how to match their breath with easy rhythmic steps. Some suggest inhaling for two steps and exhaling for two steps. ask the children to use this as a time not to talk as simply let the rhythm of walking and breathing feel good. Bella Online's meditation editor, Susan Kramer, also suggests asking the children to think of helpful activity they can do after the meditation.
Transcendental
Give your child a mantra or sound to repeat while sitting still with your eyes closed together. Together, as you repeat the mantra or sound, the child becomes able to rest thoughts and mental activity and access the inner space of quiet and stillness. The transcendental technique was first introduced to the West by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and many programs such as The David Lynch Foundation are finding tremendous success with children previously suffering with hyperactivity or ADHD.
Guided Meditation
Since your child is apt to engage imagination easily, using guided visualization can be very useful. when you read a guided meditation to your child they are able to become actively involved in the story through imagination and their minds are more free from everyday thoughts, worries and concerns. You can use the imagery of a waterfall or warm sunshine to guide your child into a state of relaxing meditation. This technique works well for children of all ages.
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