“The Sleeping Bear” – a lovely story for your next kids’ yoga class.
“Once upon a time, in a quiet forest by tall mountains, lived a big, peaceful bear named Baloo. Winter was near, and Baloo needed to find the perfect resting place. But first, he had a journey to prepare his body and mind for the cold season ahead.
Baloo woke up early and stretched his paws and back. He placed his large paws on the ground, lifted his hips high, and stretched out his back, feeling strong and ready for the day. “Ah, what a wonderful stretch to start my journey,” he said. – Adho Mukha Svanasana, variation “Bear pose”
Soon, Baloo came to a sparkling river. To get across, he crouched down and pushed his body up like a strong, sturdy bridge so he could walk to the other side. “I’ll be as steady as the bridge over the water,” he thought. – Setu Bandhasana
On the other side of the river, Baloo found a patch of juicy berries. He squatted low to pick them carefully, one by one. “These will be perfect for my winter stash,” he said, filling his paws with the delicious berries. – Malasana (pretending to gather berries)
With his paws full of berries, Baloo noticed a tall tree nearby. He stood on one leg, balancing carefully, and leaned against the trunk to take a short rest. “Even the tallest trees need balance,” he thought. – Vrksasana
As the sun began to set, Baloo found a hidden cave beneath some vines. He lay down on his belly, stretched his chest forward like a curious snake, and peeked inside the cave to see if it was safe and warm. “This could be the perfect place to sleep,” he whispered. – Bhujangasana
Baloo curled up snugly inside the cave, placing his head on his paws. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, feeling peaceful and calm. “Now I’m ready for the long winter,” he thought as he drifted off to sleep. – Balasana”
You can close the session by reminding the children that, just like Baloo, we can prepare our bodies and minds for rest by moving, stretching, and breathing deeply.
