Download the Wuf Shanti mandala for a mindful activity in the classroom or at home. A mandala is a circular structure with radial symmetry, meaning that the design radiates out symmetrically from the center. Children love to draw and paint with colors, and mandalas are a great way to teach kids meditation, to help them focus attention, and relieve stress and anxiety. The mandala “represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself—a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends beyond and within our bodies and minds.”~The Mandala Project website.
To start a mindful art activity in the classroom or at home:
1. Explain to kids what a mandala is, and that it can be found everywhere in nature and around them. A mandala is a circle, and it can be seen in flowers, sunshine, snowflakes, etc. Ask them to name some things they see around the room that are circles.
2. Give instructions for them to take their time, breathe, and try not to talk. Simply focus on coloring their mandalas whatever beautiful colors they want. Give them 30-45 minutes, plenty of crayons or colored pencils, and a peaceful environment (maybe some soft background music).
3. Hint: You can also have them kids make their own mandalas! They can either do it as an individual project or as a group with one big circle. They’ll love it!
To download the Wuf Shanti mandala:
***You can also find the mandala in our Wuf Shanti coloring book and/or on the Wuf Shanti Yoga Fun Machine mindful mobile app on android or apple devices.