Flying:

Part one-

Begin by warming up the group with a little standing exercise, or tensing and relaxing the body several times, and some basic stretching. From the very beginning, focus on creating harmony between breath and movement. (When we inhale- energy rises in the body and when we exhale, energy is moving downward, so ask the children to inhale as they raise their arms overhead, or as they stand up after a forward bend etc. Have them exhale as the arms come down or when the bend forward into a stretch. Stretches that flex the body forward and back and side to side can help children become more aware of the inner energy flow if they practice with that focus. Ask them to feel what is happening inside.

Have them begin the meditation by standing tall. Try to shift your own energy into a more meditative, and calm state as you lead this portion. Guide them into slow deep breathing. Have them close their eyes and visualize the sky all around them and pretend they are very large birds gliding above the earth, gradually rising toward the clouds. Ask them to use their arms like huge wings and to raise them when they inhale and drop them down a bit as they exhale (very slowly because they are so big). Guide them to keep the breathing in synch with the movement in every way.

Let them go at their own pace for a time and continue guiding them to feel the wind as it blows past them, viewing the beautiful colors of the earth from above and to really feel that they are moving forward and upward into the sky. Suggest that they feel light and free as they continue to rise, and for them to smile as they joyfully soar upward.

Part two- (optional)

Have the kids sit down with upright posture. Close the eyes and lift the gaze and feel their own breath. Have them try to feel as if they are flying without using their arms. Explain that this is a more advanced meditation technique where the body is kept very still and it may not be for everyone, but if they want to try you’ll give it a go with them. Ask them to be very still and just try to fly in their own imaginations. Guide them to relax their breathing and toward letting the breath come and go as it pleases and to really feel it -without controlling it. They may keep focusing on gliding forward and upward into the heavens and silently rising higher and higher until they are surrounded not just by clouds but eventually by the very beautiful stars and planets and even galaxies that shimmer in space! Help them to feel the increasing stillness and quiet of space where there is no wind and no sound.

Help them to experience all they see as part of their own selves.

Singing Bowl:

Guide the kids into proper posture without unneeded tension. (important at least to suggest as it will hopefully help them develop the habit of healthy posture during all activities, not just meditation over time)

Give them the arms-length-thumb-high-as-top-of-head target: Have them extend one arm, make a fist and hold the thumb pointing upward and raise it so the thumb is even or slightly higher than the top of their own head and look at it to get used to this position and then close the eyes and pretend they are still focused on the thumb. This is the eye position for closed eyes during most all meditation exercises I would recommend. Or explain it some other way, like “imagine you are looking at a star just over the horizon at night.” This isn’t exactly the same but I think it’s close enough.

If their faces look contorted ask them to relax their faces and eyes.

Guide them through a few slow deep breaths (this can be omitted or greatly expanded depending on the age and energy of the group, time available, and what the leader is trying to accomplish)

Ask them to begin listening in their right ear for whatever sounds they can hear.

Then explain you will make a noise and they are to listen to it very carefully (especially in the right ear) then softly begin to play the bowl but try not to bang it, or play it too strongly. Remember that kids can hear things that adults can’t. So after you stop hearing the tone, the kids may continue listening for a time, so don’t interrupt them. Let them listen as long as they can hear it.

You’ll have to decide how long and in what way you want to play the singing bowl. Eventually though, let it fade out into nothing and meditate on the fading sound with the kids and ask them to enjoy the stillness for a moment or two if you like following this exercise.

There are many types of singing bowls and other sound makers that can be used for this meditation. I like using a large crystal bowl because the sound lingers for a good amount of time.