What I Learned From My Niece

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about. ~ Angela Schwindt

In short... enthusiasm, directness and fun. I'll explain. I've been meaning to write this for a while. Since the original lesson on Halloween night (pictured above), and the time that it took me to get around to writing this, my adorable little (20 month old) niece taught me a few other things. I also gained a second adorable niece in that time :) 

Before taking her out, she was well versed in Halloween phrases... Trick or Treat and Happy Halloween. However, when she was brought up to the first door, after being reminded what she was to say when the door opened, her exclamation was only "Candy!" This got some laughs. She was reminded again and again of what to say, but it continued to be expressed as "candy!" When a lady showed up to the door with no bowl of candy in her hands, her phrase evolved to "Where's the candy?" Again, laughter. At another door, she had a conversation with a man and had us all laughing again. Someone said to her, "You're awesome." To which she replied, "Ya, I'm awesome." lol. Eventually, her phrase evolved further to "Gimme candy." She knew exactly why she was there and probably didn't understand why we kept telling her to say Trick or Treat.

Besides the laughter and ab workout I received from it, I gained the simple insight of speaking up for what you want and being direct. The idea of getting right to the point also comes to mind and I was reminded again how enthusiasm rubs off. Like when I speak about Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy or yoga.

The next insight she offered me was a few days before her baby sister was born. I went with her and my sister to the doctor and then the hospital to check on the belly dweller that was enjoying her stay. While mom was busy with the doctor, I watched Tiana play with the curtain that was blocking the open door to the room. She was having so much fun going around it and under it... letting it rub on her face and head as she played peek-a-boo with me. Her giggles and sometimes screams of enthusiasm had to be quelled with the statement that there may be babies sleeping nearby (of course then we had to go visit one lol). Who knew you could have so much fun with a hospital curtain lol. I later taught a Hatha class and brought the theme of play in from my life lesson with Tiana. We had fun with yoga, breath, music, our bodies, movement (inspired by Tiana) and of course Lion's face.

I loved the reminder of all this from my favourite little person. I love honouring the child within with play. Maybe why I love teaching kids yoga lol. It's great that other things can also be learned from watching those who have not forgotten how fun life can be and that it's great to speak your mind, be direct and enthusiastic. I'm off to play with Contact Yoga and see what kind of fun I can find as well as direct communication with a partner.

Core assests... have fun! Be direct. Play with enthusiasm.