Swimming and rhythmic water activities such as aqua aerobics can be a great time to spend as moving meditations for kids. While getting healthful exercise, they incorporate all the body, and provide a block of time to clear the mind of sticky issues.

Swimming is an individual water activity especially suited to stress relief. It is a time to think about and reflect on problems that may be going on in family, relationships with friends, and school work.

Aqua aerobics may be in a group, but probably follows a routine of repetitive movements, giving time to think and reflect on problems.

How to use swimming for meditation

First, kids need to learn some basic strokes. In practicing the swim coordinated arm and leg movements by holding them in opposition there is the added benefit of developing right - left brain connections, and aiding bodily circulation.

Learning to swim has a lifelong benefit, too. It is a skill we can use at all ages. Even the elderly benefit by movement in water, whether by aqua aerobics, or walking along the floor of the pool, using arms to push the water away - when right leg steps forward, left arm goes forward, and vice versa - another version of the cross-crawling action.

Once the basic strokes are mastered and become automatic movements the technique takes care of itself and the mind in freed up to turn to other issues at hand.

Starting out with slow laps in a pool or while swimming parallel to the water's edge at the beach, give the body a moment to warm up. Take slow strokes and enjoy the feeling of the water moving along the body.

After getting into the regular swimming pattern let the body go along with it's pattern and turn to one issue that needs working on. Think about ways to resolve the problem in a win - win way. That means to find the best resolve, which is where everyone benefits in some way.

I remember as a child the times I would swim back and forth across the cove in front of our house in a relaxed manner, just planning and thinking out situations and about creative projects.

Swimming meditation is also a time to let the creative juices flow - kids have their projects and need time like in swimming to dream, plan and work out the details!

Article by Susan Kramer

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For offsite reading

Meditation for Teens and Adults
More than 70 offerings, from guided meditation techniques to on-the-go stress relief and relationship meditations interspersed with verse, and a section of special occasion prayers. 114 pages.

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Meditation for all Kids
Sitting, walking, dance and group circle meditations, along with positive affirmations, verses and benefits of meditation for kids of all ages and abilities in a 100 page book with illustrations.