Playing Puppy

Children love to use their imaginations, act like animals, pretend to be things that they are not. In the process of pretending, they often tumble into positions that could be labeled as Yoga. Little tykes often do  “Downward Facing Dog,” also known as Down Dog without even realizing it. As adults, we forget how to play puppy, how to pretend, how to use our imaginations, and thus we forget the joy that comes from moving our bodies. For every child that squeals in delight about rolling like a ball on the floor, there is an adult complaining about having to workout. But exercise should be fun and enjoyable.

Doing downward dog should evenly distribute your weight between your arms and legs, building strength in your upper and lower body. Your spine should stay as straight as an arrow, and your heels should press toward the ground to stretch your calves and hamstrings. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and you should find delight in a body that moves and grooves. That each strand of your DNA communicated with your RNA to produce new cells within your mother’s womb is no accident!

You may have been born with troubles; my own daughter was born with a genetic defect in her ureters that really messed up her right kidney. But as a child, she doesn’t let it get her down. In fact, the more pain she was in as a toddler, the harder she would play. Movement was her escape. Make movement your escape. When you’ve had a long, stressful day (or just a rough morning with the kids) find something for everyone else to do, and then take 15 minutes for yourself. Just like flight attendants tell plane passengers to put the oxygen mask on their own face before seeing to their dependents, you need to keep yourself healthy so that you can see to the health of your family. Now go “Play Puppy!” Namaste!