Yoga Instructors now are training in the Story Massage Programme to add creativity and fun to their yoga sessions. We talk to Clare Gendy about the positive feedback from a recent children’s yoga workshop held in the Yoga Cafe in Waterlooville, Hampshire.
Who attended the yoga workshop?
There were six children, five girls and a boy, aged between six and nine years old. It was initially a one-off but there is definitely enough interest to run more. It so important to help share the skills of conscious relaxation with children of all ages to help them better manage the stresses they will come across in their lives.
How did you structure the workshop?
It lasted for two and a half hours with a break in the middle. We began with some yoga, then they shared a massage story. And then we did more yoga and finished with a massage story. The Story Massage Programme is an excellent complement for children’s yoga and made a real difference to the popularity of the session. It meant that I was able to break up the workshop with different activities, which kept the children engaged.
The workshop was based on the theme of Spring. I chose a lovely poem called Five Little Seeds and adapted it as a positive touch activity. I gave the children a handout with the story and Story Massage strokes so they could continue at home with family and friends. Story Massage can be easily incorporated into home life.
Positive feedback from the session
Parents have contacted me to say how much the children learnt from the workshop. One Mum told me the her 6 year old daughter has been having a massage story every day. She loved it so much that her Mum gave her the Story Massage book as a present at Easter. She wrote a beautiful poem about sunshine and light for her school homework. It is a wonderful way to encourage children’s creativity and develop confidence.
More about the Story Massage Programme
Story Massage combines positive touch with the fun and creativity of storytelling. Ten simple massage strokes form the basis of the programme. These ten strokes each have a name, such as The Circle or The Sprinkle, and an easy to recognise symbol making it accessible for all (see massage story above). It is a fully inclusive activity. No clothing is removed and no oil is used.
Would you like to train in Story Massage?
Would you like to combine yoga with positive touch activities? Then do consider our flexible online course. All the information is here: Online Training Course.
You will learn how to share the ten Story Massage strokes, adapt familiar stories and even create some sensory stories of your own. Ideal for well-being coaches, therapists, teachers, SEN staff, support staff, Early Years practitioners, those working with people with additional needs, everyone with an interest in sharing positive touch activities with adults or children.
