An old Cherokee Indian chief was teaching his grandson about life. He said, “A fight is going on inside me,” he told the young boy, “a fight between two wolves.
The dark one is evil—he embodies anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The light wolf, on the other hand, is good—he represents joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you, grandson… and inside every other person on the face of this earth.”
The grandson pondered this for a moment and then asked, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee smiled and simply said, “The one you feed.”
I love parables and life lessons but is it often a challenge to put these valuable lessons in to practice in our own lives. The Tale of Two Wolves resonates deeply as we guide our kids in their yoga practice. As they learn new poses and focus on their breath, they also begin to explore their emotions and thoughts. Yoga provides a wonderful opportunity for us to help them identify these “wolves” within: the encouraging, positive thoughts versus the negative ones that can create doubt.
In our yoga classes, we can encourage mindfulness, allowing the children to observe their feelings without judgment. Together, we can celebrate the positive wolf by embracing gratitude, kindness, and self-love. Through breathing exercises and meditation, we can support them in quieting the negative wolf, creating a sense of calm in their minds.
By embracing this lesson, we enhance our collective yoga experience and empower our kids in their daily lives. Together, we can choose to focus on positivity, cultivating resilience, empathy, and joy—qualities that benefit us all both on and off the mat. So, as we step onto our mats, let’s remember the two wolves and the power we have to nurture the one that brings light and happiness into our lives.
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