Mindfulness tool for boys by Incia Palmieri
As a Kids Yoga and Mindfulness business owner, I've been on a mission to change the face of Yoga and Mindfulness from something that is available to "girls" to something that is needed for "boys" as well!
Why is Yoga needed for boys - it's the only non-competitive physical activity that allows them to find flexibility, co-ordination and focus.
Why is Mindfulness important for boys - it allows them to find ways to slow down and appreciate their mind and their body.
A tool that I love for boys to embrace Mindfulness is Affirmations. Affirmations are positive words that bring joy, confidence and love to our hearts and minds.
As a boy Mama, I have practiced affirmations since he was in my belly - we have repeated the most beautiful positive thoughts that are out there - BUT I was looking for more meaningful messaging for him! I wanted him to know and acknowledge his feelings, I want to know it's ok to be vulnerable, to be Mindful, to be gentle, to embrace all qualities of being HUMAN and not just be what we expect BOYS to be!
I didn't realize my power as a mama until I became one, until I had a boy until I saw the impact he could have on issues and thoughts in this world. After having a son, I began reflecting on how I want to a raise my child to be mindful, connected and to challenge gender stereotypes.
Most cards for boys still send the same gender specific and stereotypical messages about how boys need to be strong, powerful, brave... I want him to go, feel, think beyond that about himself and other boys*
I was on the quest to find affirmations exclusively for boys something that speaks to how I want to raise my son! When I couldn't find them, I created them.
Then it was Dream mode ON...What if EVERY boy* was taught how to feel ALL the feels, to acknowledge emotions and to communicate them, to make time to be mindful in many aspects of life!
These affirmations are meant to invoke feelings, mindfulness, conversations, and moments of connections for boys* something we seldom see or encourage but it's important. These affirmations are an extension to the vision - we need boys to be more Mindful, we need them to know that it is important to pause for mental health, we need them to feel all the feels, we need them to understand self-love too!
Affirmations can be used in the morning to set the tone for the day, they can be practiced at night to reflect or said to yourself in the mirror.
Affirmations are my favourite way to introduce boys to Mindfulness. My focus for my business has always been to have boys become more visible in the world of Yoga & Mindfulness. My gift to our future generations of boys is to bring change to our world through Affirmations.
*Self-identifying boys
Incia Palmieri has been teaching yoga to kids and families for 9 years across studios, communities and schools. She formerly owned a Kids Yoga studio in Toronto and is the owner and founder of Once Upon a Mat; bringing yoga, storytelling, relaxation and fun through movement and mindfulness to kids! She has a Kids Yoga Teacher Training program, offers Yoga and Mindfulness training to educators, has developed a mindfulness curriculum program called Once Upon a Rainbow, a toddler program called Calm Me and has developed a set of affirmation cards for boys called Once Upon A Boy. She is an elementary teacher and a Mama to a 3 year old boy.
Incia is a graduate of Political Science from York University and holds a Master of Science in Education degree from Medaille College. She completed her yoga trainings from Rainbow Kids Yoga and Radiant Child Yoga and Postnatal Yoga from Toronto Yoga Mamas, 200 YTT from Karma Teachers & is Yoga Alliance designated E-RYT 200 & YACEP.
Find Incia here: https://onceuponamat.ca
instagram: @onceuponamat