As the nights grow longer and the veil between seasons thins, Halloween invites us to pause and listen to the whispers of story and spirit. For children, this season often shines with playful costumes and sweet treats—but behind it lies something deeper: the magic of imagination, courage, and connection.
It’s that time of year again
where I share the Latin-American folktale, Chumbala, at the Boys and
Girls Club with kindergarten through second graders. Through story and yoga, we
explore how light and shadow dance together, how breath can calm fear, and how
the body can be a safe, strong home even when the world feels mysterious.
Each posture flows with the
story—stretching tall like a spooky tree, folding forward and touching the
floor, and breathing deep while reaching toward heaven. Together, we discover
how yoga teaches us that every season, even the spooky ones, carries lessons of
balance, trust, and joy.
Chumbala aka The
Skeleton’s Ball is a lively folk-tale-in-song, where the skeletons gather as
the clock strikes each number. It is so much fun!
With every chime, we move
into a posture—matching each number to a yoga pose that rhymes with it. The
nonsense chorus, Chumbala Ca, Chumbala Ca, Chum bum ba, repeats until the
skeletons have danced their way through the hours.
This blend of rhyme, rhythm,
and repetition offers children a way to celebrate Halloween in a way that is
fun, mindful, and a little bit magical. Through story, song, and yoga, we
discover how laughter and imagination can chase away fear, and how movement
helps us feel grounded and free.
As the skeletons finish their
dance and the clock rests at twelve, we are reminded of the passage of time and
the way all things move in circles—day to night, seed to flower, beginning to
end. Halloween helps us notice these changes with curiosity instead of fear.
Just like the seasons, our lives are always moving and transforming. By sharing story, song, and yoga, children learn that every moment is special, every breath is a gift, and that even endings are simply the start of something new.
Happy Halloween!
xoxo
Kathe and Mel
p.s. If you'd like a copy of the story/song, contact us at movingtale@gmail.com
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