Anarosa the Mariposa; a tale of true love

We thought this story would be a sweet one for the month of February and presented it as a puppet show, since love was in the air and all. Giving this tale a yogic twist we encourage you to look on your relationships and frame them with self love. In reflecting on your relationship with yourself you will learn to love yourself and in kind learn to love others more fully. 

future storyteller

Puppetry is an oral art form similar to storytelling, a valuable means to build oral language skills. It is an entertaining way to introduce children to literature, bringing folktales to life. Both children and adults enjoy a live performance and the puppeteers have a good time too! Children learn the elements of a story, the beginning, middle and the end, preparing them for both reading and writing. 

A puppet craft completes our presentation inspiring children to explore their new found skills as storytellers and puppeteers. 

future puppeteer

Anarosa the Mariposa is our adaptation of Martina the Beautiful Cockroach, a Cuban folktale retold by Carmen Agra Deedy. It explores family relationship and culture as well as romantic relationship. Anarosa has been raised by a loving family and is ready for marriage. She must choose between several suitors while being courted under the watchful eyes of her family. She is reluctant to follow the shocking advice given from her grandmother but out of love and respect does so anyway. Which leads us to the story's sweet surprise of an ending. 

Probably the biggest struggle in life is the struggle to know and accept ourselves. Unlike Anarosa, many of us were raised by parents who were not taught to see their own worth. Therefore they were unable to teach us that we too are worthy. Family face all sorts of challenges and these stresses wear on us making our closest relationships difficult. So what can we do?

We can become more mindful of our thoughts, words, and deeds. Those stories we tell ourselves. We can change our stories. We can change how we think about ourselves. We can learn to accept ourselves. In order to truly unite with others we must first unite with ourselves. This is our yoga, this is our practice. And as we open our hearts to ourselves we become more open and compassionate with our loved ones as well as others.

Ahhh peace and love, what a sweet combination. 

Kathe and Melanie; puppeteers

The Snowy Day and the Lucky Duck

The Snowy Day, a puppet show

We rarely see snow in south Louisiana but that doesn't stop us from dreaming of the fluffy white stuff. We imagine ice crystals dancing in the air and sparkly snow blanketing the earth, so that's how we set our stage for this seasonal story. In this tale Elf is excited about the snow and is determined to get his friend Reindeer to come out and play. Elf is the kind of person who intends to live on purpose with passion, and I want to be like Elf when I grow up! 

Reindeer, cozy in his bed, stubbornly refuses. But best friends don't give up so easily and with a bit of persuasion finally Reindeer relents. Reindeer finds fault with one thing or another before eventually agreeing to a sled ride down the hill, but only if Elf is right there with him. They climb aboard the sled and head down the hill. Unbeknownst to Reindeer, Elf falls off. Reindeer is having a grand ole time til he realizes Elf isn't with him. Upset he starts to trudge home. Elf eagerly joins him and Reindeer soon settles down admitting he did actually enjoy himself. Over warm cups of cocoa they share the adventures of the day. 

  

Creative crafters and their Elf puppets

We always end our puppet shows with a puppet craft and this cute Elf was perfect. With brads attaching his arms and legs he was movable, ready to tell a Moving Tale. As storytellers and librarians our passion is promoting literacy, inspiring children to express themselves through story. Puppets are fun tools to encourage a child's imagination. 

Moving Tale; Kathe and Melanie, tandem yoga storytellers

The Lucky Duck

If you have a friend who can coax you out of your comfort zones you are one lucky duck. They get us to try new things. I am a lucky duck in more ways than one. I work with my sister who is also my friend. We encourage one another with a playful shove now and again. Months ago Mel and I registered for Mahabhuta II, a three day yoga festival held in Pensacola each November. Mel wanted to try Aerial Yoga. It looked fun but...I must say I was initially reluctant. Kinda like Reindeer, comfortable in my cozy yoga routine. But I figured what the heck, and we signed up. I trusted it would be an adventure and believed it would be entertaining even if I decided to sit back and just watch. So I let my concerns go. 

In Aerial Yoga slings are attached to tree limbs and you must trust the sling to hold and support you. Much the same way we must trust life. Trust comes from a deep knowing that we are here for a purpose. Do we believe we are supported? Do we believe there is a source bigger than ourselves that upholds us? Without belief we cannot do anything. Everything starts with believing, believing in ourselves, believing in our abilities. 

Once in the sling you have to rely on yourself to move into the yoga pose. Then comes letting go, letting go of expectations. After you flip over you expect you’ll slip right out of the sling and fall on your head. Sorta scary, it can happen but fortunately for us it didn't. Not a solemn class that’s for sure yet yoga none the same. The sling allows you to take inversions and splits with effortless ease. Much like we hope to move through life. When we trust life, believe in ourselves, and let go of expectation life unfolds in just this way, with effortless ease. 

Om Shanti

The Frog Prince and Reluctant Teens

“Why are you crying my honey, my heart, why are you crying my sweet darling?”

The Frog Prince

Moving Tale presented “The Frog Prince,” as a puppet show. A classic fairy tale, the princess makes a promise then is reluctant to keep it. The story unfolded and the audience hushed. About halfway in still no peep could be heard. For a moment fear reared his head. We looked at one another, thinking “do they not like it?” When suddenly truth materialized, the kids were enchanted!

How often do we say we will do something but when it actually comes down to getting the job done we slack off? We change our minds or make excuses. Much of life is appears difficult. There are things we would rather not do. But are we spectators or participants in the stories of our lives? Unresolved issues often keep us sitting in the stands. We avoid dealing with unpleasant situations, and the fears we are unwilling to confront.

So the princess comes face to face with her promise and must let go of her aversions. And in doing so acceptance of the situation emerges. Then before she knows what is happening unconditional loves comes in and fills the space. Letting go is not an overnight affair but once it begins moving you’ll be surprised at the rapid results. Becoming a participant is easier than we thought, and the frog is transformed before our very eyes.

Moving Tale; Kathe and Melanie, tandem yoga storytellers

Reluctant Teens

Today I introduced 8 high school students to yogic breathing and the sun salutation. All males ranging in age from 16-21, these students are part of the public school system’s Community Skills Training Program. The program integrates the classroom in the community by assessing its resources. “Health and Wellness” was their theme and I was asked to give them a short presentation on yoga.

Not knowing what lay ahead, I casually prepared and determined to let things come what may.  We began by sitting on the floor, which was a riot. A few sat right down and I heard a comment or two that I let go in one ear and out the other. Two young men sat on a bench, so resolute a wrecking ball could not have moved them.  Stern of face and shoulders hunched, their demeanor told a stoic story.

I began chatting a bit about library cards and library materials establishing the foundation of the session. I followed this by telling them about the many free programs offered, such as this one. We opened with the meaning of yoga and its benefits for body and mind. I explained that most of the yogis of times past were men, attempting to set them somewhat at ease. Now it was time to remove our shoes and sit in easy pose. Another mutiny almost ensued, looking about I noticed a few who silently refused. Young adult males asserting their independence, who would have thought!

We sat up tall, heads high reaching towards the sky. A demonstration was in order; we placed our hands on our ribcage and belly and gave yogic breathing a try. Glancing around the room I noticed everyone participating. Even the aloof ones now were on the floor. Breathing in and breathing out, becoming aware of our breath. A sense of calmness came over the room. Ahhh…

Ready for a warm up we stood in mountain pose and took a few sunbreaths before these big strong guys balanced on tip toe. Energy quickly accelerated as we moved through a salute to the sun. One young man stated, “This is a workout,” while another said, “I thought yoga was just about meditation and om.” All took part to a certain degree and several were truly paying attention. We closed with the meaning of Namaste,and ended with a bow. 

Everyone went home with a handout and if only one student practices any one thing he was introduced to today, hip, hip, hurray!

Mahalo, I serve.