Fathers and Family Yoga
One of my greatest joys as a family yoga instructor is seeing the interaction between parent and child, especially that between a father and child.
Father and Child
While the role of a father in a child’s life is infinitely vital, when then the children are young, his active roll can seem minimum. He takes the kids when mom is frazzled, maybe gives them a bottle, MAYBE changes the occasional diaper, but many men find it difficult to truly bond with a child before they’re able to toss a ball around in the front yard.
At one of my classes we have a father who comes with his twins. Wow. What a beautiful thing to watch. Having twins is like working double shifts that never end. Parents are often just in “survival mode” and affording the opportunity to have a few moments to connect with one, let alone both, is rare.
This father takes our family yoga time to bond with both children. He’s not chasing them around a playground (which is important, but not usually restful) but stopping, pausing and communicating love and health. He takes this time to focus on both children in a beautiful time of bonding.
Longterm fruit?
When he has life moments that require him to look at his children, get their attention, talk seriously with them, they will easily slip back into that trusting gaze, focus and listen. These father/child moments will not be foreign. They will be natural. This posture will be well practiced and they will feel safe in the gaze of their father. Not threatened, not uncomfortable. They have built a strong foundation of trust.
It also establishes a restful mood with their father. This is an important dynamic for the whole family. Time with dad will not just be associated with playful mayhem, but peaceful repose. When dad relieves mom from her stressful daily activities with the kids, they are familiar with times of rest with their dad – it provides a calm mood within the home.
The importance of family yoga cannot be overstated. It is a practice that builds up the body, mind, spirit and strengthens the family unit. It is a beautiful life practice for care takers, mothers AND fathers.
Photo: http://www.exposureguide.com/inspiration/comical-series-entitled-worlds-best-dad/
