The Yoga rules

At times, everyone feels a little depressed about life, andchildren are no exception. Just like you, children oftenexperience "the same old grind." They get up for school, daycare, or camp to travel the same road each weekday. Somechildren even look forward to weekends in the same way theirparents do.

How can you put some excitement into life and teach your childto be successful? Sometimes, parents have to be spontaneous andbreak the routine up a bit for "family time." Make it a point toeat together and spend quality time doing new things.

Never say negative things about your life or how boring life isfor you. Children can really tune into this, and they alwayscopy their parents. They reflect negative thinking and can holdthemselves back by worrying about the risk of failure, just likean adult. Instead, teach them about the endless opportunitiesthat arise in every day life.

Life is full of challenges, and your child has to learn toovercome the fear of failure. This is where you come in - bymeasuring your child's progress. You should always point towardhis, or her, past successes for positive reinforcement.

Remember the story of the "Tortoise and the Hare?" Teach yourchild that slow and steady always finishes the race. As anadult, you know that finishing anything is a "bench mark" alongthe road to progress. A child will give up on a challenge, whenthey are too far out of their "comfort zone."

Giving up is a last resort. For example: Look down the road atthe many challenges your child will face in college, militaryservice, or at work. You want to establish a "track record" ofsuccess now.

Even when challenges and problems have your child in a state offear, you are obligated to encourage your child to move forwardand do their "personal best." Every successful person has had toface their own fear, in order to see the endless dailyopportunities that life has to offer.

Teach your child that life is full of excitement - by making thechoices of exploring and trying new things, as long as they arereasonably safe activities. The experience of learning is moreimportant than the chance of failure.

The end result will be that your child has positive memories ofaccomplishment, and the knowledge that he or she can alwayscount on you.

About the author:Paul Jerard, is a co-owner/director of Yoga teacher training atAura Wellness Center. He has been a certified Master Yogateacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts.He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults,and seniors. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Rightfor You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new careeras a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org