Movement
Children's Resources
Teaching The Mystery Of God To Children
A Book Of Clues
As we continue our journey into the mysteries of God these words from an ancient mystic ring out: "Oh, God, who may well be loved but not thought" and usher us into experiences of movement. This method of teaching challenges the assumption that children can only know God when they can think and talk about him logically. Children know through their bodies.
The body can be used to express and explore otherwise inexpressible things. Children are better and freer in the uses of their body than most of us as adults. Some spontaneous movements are common to all children. They jump up and down when excited, crouch when afraid, fling their arms wide when they are happy and content. These movements come naturally and are untaught. As we age, we seem to stiffen -- become more frozen and statue-like in our movements. This rigidity may extend to our theological ideas as well. Again, here is an area where the children can teach us. Agility and vitality are two gifts children bring.
The stirring up of love is one of our tasks as teachers. This can find expression through our physical bodies. How does it feel to know a God of love? A warmth? A fire? A surge throughout the body? A wild abandonment of joy? We can invite children to pay close attention to the messages from their bodies in the form of feelings and sensations. Bowing the head, folding the hands, perhaps kneeling without saying a word can remind us that we are in the presence of God here and now in our lives. These different and definite physical acts slow us down and open us to God.
Begin with breathing. Air and wind are familiar and powerful images for the Holy Spirit. Talk about wind. It is something children know and adults have too often forgotten, at least in its aspects of fun and beauty.
Do some breathing exercises alone or with your class. As you breath in think of a great light that grows brighter and brighter. As the air goes out imagine the world is being warmed with your light of happiness and love.
Choose one thing you love most. It may be a person, a parent, a pet, an interest such as music or a sport or God. Whatever you love most hold in your mind. Concentrate on that one thing. All thoughts are directed upon it. Breathe deeply and rhythmically letting the power of love flow through you and out into the world.
Then, filled with the spirit of love and God, welcome a new day. Stand tall. Take a deep breath and raise your arms overhead. Then stretch out your arms in welcome of a new day. Finally, bending slightly, swing your arms down behind you, palms up. Return to the beginning position and repeat moving rhythmically. Allow these movements to awaken something within the heart that is beyond words -- a deep satisfying feeling in being alive in a new day -- a bedrock feeling of joy no matter what the circumstances.
A yoga position called "Salutation to the Sun" uses every part of the body in twelve positions. Applying these postures or positions to the Lord's Prayer gives new understanding to the words.
Standing tall you begin:
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Position 1: Palms together in prayer position (Our Father)
ï¾¥
Position 2: Locking your thumbs, stretch your arms high overhead beside your ears; look up (who art in heaven)
ï¾¥
Position 3: Bend forward keeping your knees straight; look at your knees (hallowed be thy name)
ï¾¥
Position 4: Stretch your left leg back, your left knee on the ground; right foot remains bent between your hands; lean slightly forward and look up (thy kingdom come)
ï¾¥
Position 5: Move right foot back to meet your left foot, straighten legs to make a tent of your body, buttocks high in the air, head between your arms; heels of your feet gently pressing toward ground (thy will be done)
ï¾¥
Position 6: (This position is a tricky one) Your knees, chest, and chin in that order, come to ground; your pelvic area is kept a few inches off the floor; your fingertips are in line with your shoulders, arms are in close to ribcage and elbows point upward (on earth)
ï¾¥
Position 7: Lower your pelvis to the ground as your upper body slides forward; slowly raise your head, then your chest off the ground; try to rely on the strength of your back muscles, using your hands mainly to support the weight of your body (as it is in heaven)
ï¾¥
Position 8: Raise your body back into Position 5 -- a tent (Give us this day our daily bread)
ï¾¥
Position 9: (This is a reverse of Position 4) Your right knee comes to the ground; try to bring your left foot up between your arms; lean forward and look up (and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors)
ï¾¥
Position 10: Move right foot forward to meet the left; stay bent at the waist; keep your knees straight as in Position 3 (Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil)
ï¾¥
Position 11: Begin to slowly raise your body, stretching your arms high overhead, locking your thumbs as in Position 2 (for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory)
ï¾¥
Position 12: Lower your arms; place your palms together in prayer position as in Position 1. Shut eyes. (forever. Amen)
Though this may seem complicated, most children easily learn to do these postures. If possible, have someone demonstrate the complete body exercise. Then work on individual positions and phrases of the prayer separately with the exception of Position 6 and 7 which need to be practiced together.
As we praise God, we stretch our bodies upward. As we recognize our humble place in the universe we bend forward. As we implore God's help we kneel and look up. Every muscle in our body seeks to know and praise God, and our bodies become conduits through which spiritual insight may arise.
The feelings of this prayer may become, not just a mental flash but a full-body experience.
Hands alone can be used to express a feeling of God's presence. Have you ever noticed the stylized hand positions in Italian paintings before and during the Renaissance? In many of these pictures the thumb and index finger are connected. Its meaning is that the ego (the index finger) is bowing to God (the thumb) in unity and love. The gesture is called the kissing of the thumb and finger -- a sign of love.
Another common gesture in religious paintings is the palm turned upward. This pose suggests openness and inquiry.
Sometimes we think childhood is a carefree time, but many children are burdened with guilt. They often have strong feelings. There are friends they like and enemies they don't. These feelings toward "enemies" can block their channel to God's love. By physically enacting we directly confront these feelings.
Try this: Children sit with hands in lap, palms up. Ask children to imagine they are holding themselves in one hand and their "enemy" in the other. Instruct them to hold their hands outward and ask God to bless each with love. Then gently entwine the fingers as a sign of your willingness to be at peace and ease with this "enemy." Do this slowly and prayerfully.
The body can help us understand a Bible story in a new way. In reading the Bible we hear a story. How can we "get into" the story? We strive for the experience, not words about the experience. In the same sense that no one can swim just by reading the word "swim" we long for more than stories about Jesus. We long to be in his presence.
Use this game as an entry point to experiencing a Bible story.
Divide the class into partners facing each other and play the game "Mirrors." One child does some physical movement such as patting his head or raising his arm. The partner facing him mirrors the identical movement. Continue this for a few movements and then swap and let the other child begin the movements.
Now read Mark 3:1-6.
Working in the same pairs, instruct the class to produce a piece of mirror movement which presents this story. One partner is the man with the withered hand. The other is Jesus, the healer. Start with the man's hand held tightly into his body. Jesus puts his hand in a similar position. Then Jesus slowly opens his hand. The man mirrors Jesus' movement.
Do this exercise in silence, seeking to produce a realistic mime. Does it look like the opening of something that has been closed and lifeless for years? The movement of the body and the hands invite us into emotional participation -- woundedness focused on Jesus.
You can decide whether or not to comment or have the class comment on this experience. You certainly do not want to over explain it.
A Time To Reflect
Consider movement in your life and class.
1.
Recall your childhood. What was your physical life like? Can you remember running just for the sheer joy of it? Did you swing or play on a see-saw? Try to remember the physical feeling. Did you skip? Hop? What physical games did you play? Who did you play them with?
2.
Do you feel comfortable using your body in worship? In the privacy of your own home experiment with moving your body as an act of praise to God.
3.
On a busy, rushed day try shaking your hands and arms to help release the day's accumulations of stresses. Did you have a sense of shaking off tension? Consider how this might be helpful in your classroom.
4.
What is your level of comfort with movement in your class? On the scale of one to ten, one is very comfortable and ten is very uncomfortable.
The body can be used to express and explore otherwise inexpressible things. Children are better and freer in the uses of their body than most of us as adults. Some spontaneous movements are common to all children. They jump up and down when excited, crouch when afraid, fling their arms wide when they are happy and content. These movements come naturally and are untaught. As we age, we seem to stiffen -- become more frozen and statue-like in our movements. This rigidity may extend to our theological ideas as well. Again, here is an area where the children can teach us. Agility and vitality are two gifts children bring.
The stirring up of love is one of our tasks as teachers. This can find expression through our physical bodies. How does it feel to know a God of love? A warmth? A fire? A surge throughout the body? A wild abandonment of joy? We can invite children to pay close attention to the messages from their bodies in the form of feelings and sensations. Bowing the head, folding the hands, perhaps kneeling without saying a word can remind us that we are in the presence of God here and now in our lives. These different and definite physical acts slow us down and open us to God.
Begin with breathing. Air and wind are familiar and powerful images for the Holy Spirit. Talk about wind. It is something children know and adults have too often forgotten, at least in its aspects of fun and beauty.
Do some breathing exercises alone or with your class. As you breath in think of a great light that grows brighter and brighter. As the air goes out imagine the world is being warmed with your light of happiness and love.
Choose one thing you love most. It may be a person, a parent, a pet, an interest such as music or a sport or God. Whatever you love most hold in your mind. Concentrate on that one thing. All thoughts are directed upon it. Breathe deeply and rhythmically letting the power of love flow through you and out into the world.
Then, filled with the spirit of love and God, welcome a new day. Stand tall. Take a deep breath and raise your arms overhead. Then stretch out your arms in welcome of a new day. Finally, bending slightly, swing your arms down behind you, palms up. Return to the beginning position and repeat moving rhythmically. Allow these movements to awaken something within the heart that is beyond words -- a deep satisfying feeling in being alive in a new day -- a bedrock feeling of joy no matter what the circumstances.
A yoga position called "Salutation to the Sun" uses every part of the body in twelve positions. Applying these postures or positions to the Lord's Prayer gives new understanding to the words.
Standing tall you begin:
ï¾¥
Position 1: Palms together in prayer position (Our Father)
ï¾¥
Position 2: Locking your thumbs, stretch your arms high overhead beside your ears; look up (who art in heaven)
ï¾¥
Position 3: Bend forward keeping your knees straight; look at your knees (hallowed be thy name)
ï¾¥
Position 4: Stretch your left leg back, your left knee on the ground; right foot remains bent between your hands; lean slightly forward and look up (thy kingdom come)
ï¾¥
Position 5: Move right foot back to meet your left foot, straighten legs to make a tent of your body, buttocks high in the air, head between your arms; heels of your feet gently pressing toward ground (thy will be done)
ï¾¥
Position 6: (This position is a tricky one) Your knees, chest, and chin in that order, come to ground; your pelvic area is kept a few inches off the floor; your fingertips are in line with your shoulders, arms are in close to ribcage and elbows point upward (on earth)
ï¾¥
Position 7: Lower your pelvis to the ground as your upper body slides forward; slowly raise your head, then your chest off the ground; try to rely on the strength of your back muscles, using your hands mainly to support the weight of your body (as it is in heaven)
ï¾¥
Position 8: Raise your body back into Position 5 -- a tent (Give us this day our daily bread)
ï¾¥
Position 9: (This is a reverse of Position 4) Your right knee comes to the ground; try to bring your left foot up between your arms; lean forward and look up (and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors)
ï¾¥
Position 10: Move right foot forward to meet the left; stay bent at the waist; keep your knees straight as in Position 3 (Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil)
ï¾¥
Position 11: Begin to slowly raise your body, stretching your arms high overhead, locking your thumbs as in Position 2 (for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory)
ï¾¥
Position 12: Lower your arms; place your palms together in prayer position as in Position 1. Shut eyes. (forever. Amen)
Though this may seem complicated, most children easily learn to do these postures. If possible, have someone demonstrate the complete body exercise. Then work on individual positions and phrases of the prayer separately with the exception of Position 6 and 7 which need to be practiced together.
As we praise God, we stretch our bodies upward. As we recognize our humble place in the universe we bend forward. As we implore God's help we kneel and look up. Every muscle in our body seeks to know and praise God, and our bodies become conduits through which spiritual insight may arise.
The feelings of this prayer may become, not just a mental flash but a full-body experience.
Hands alone can be used to express a feeling of God's presence. Have you ever noticed the stylized hand positions in Italian paintings before and during the Renaissance? In many of these pictures the thumb and index finger are connected. Its meaning is that the ego (the index finger) is bowing to God (the thumb) in unity and love. The gesture is called the kissing of the thumb and finger -- a sign of love.
Another common gesture in religious paintings is the palm turned upward. This pose suggests openness and inquiry.
Sometimes we think childhood is a carefree time, but many children are burdened with guilt. They often have strong feelings. There are friends they like and enemies they don't. These feelings toward "enemies" can block their channel to God's love. By physically enacting we directly confront these feelings.
Try this: Children sit with hands in lap, palms up. Ask children to imagine they are holding themselves in one hand and their "enemy" in the other. Instruct them to hold their hands outward and ask God to bless each with love. Then gently entwine the fingers as a sign of your willingness to be at peace and ease with this "enemy." Do this slowly and prayerfully.
The body can help us understand a Bible story in a new way. In reading the Bible we hear a story. How can we "get into" the story? We strive for the experience, not words about the experience. In the same sense that no one can swim just by reading the word "swim" we long for more than stories about Jesus. We long to be in his presence.
Use this game as an entry point to experiencing a Bible story.
Divide the class into partners facing each other and play the game "Mirrors." One child does some physical movement such as patting his head or raising his arm. The partner facing him mirrors the identical movement. Continue this for a few movements and then swap and let the other child begin the movements.
Now read Mark 3:1-6.
Working in the same pairs, instruct the class to produce a piece of mirror movement which presents this story. One partner is the man with the withered hand. The other is Jesus, the healer. Start with the man's hand held tightly into his body. Jesus puts his hand in a similar position. Then Jesus slowly opens his hand. The man mirrors Jesus' movement.
Do this exercise in silence, seeking to produce a realistic mime. Does it look like the opening of something that has been closed and lifeless for years? The movement of the body and the hands invite us into emotional participation -- woundedness focused on Jesus.
You can decide whether or not to comment or have the class comment on this experience. You certainly do not want to over explain it.
A Time To Reflect
Consider movement in your life and class.
1.
Recall your childhood. What was your physical life like? Can you remember running just for the sheer joy of it? Did you swing or play on a see-saw? Try to remember the physical feeling. Did you skip? Hop? What physical games did you play? Who did you play them with?
2.
Do you feel comfortable using your body in worship? In the privacy of your own home experiment with moving your body as an act of praise to God.
3.
On a busy, rushed day try shaking your hands and arms to help release the day's accumulations of stresses. Did you have a sense of shaking off tension? Consider how this might be helpful in your classroom.
4.
What is your level of comfort with movement in your class? On the scale of one to ten, one is very comfortable and ten is very uncomfortable.
