This children’s program was unique because it was for kids ages 3-8. Maybe because back in the 1980’s it didn’t seem so outrageous to be sending your 5-year old to a sleepaway summer camp for 6 weeks, or maybe because it was just a good program, we had a magical time together. We were up in the mountains, in nature, under the stars… The kids were well cared for, we did hiking, drawing, simple games, singing, crafts. I taught all the kids how to swim, we were only 70 people, but I remember every one of them and many of them still remember me. We created weekly puppet shows called The Punjab Puppet Playhouse, originated by two wonderful men and continued by myself and the director of the camp, Siri Nam Singh. We had Joke Night sometimes during dinner… I don’t know if you have ever heard a 3 year old tell a joke on a microphone but if you haven’t you’re missing a real treat. The tried and true jokes get retold with new twists, I remember laughing til tears came, hearing them innocently share their understanding. “Why did the elephant sit on a marshmallow?” (to not fall in the hot chocolate) became any number of variations from “Why did the elephant fall in the hot chocolate?” (because he ate the marshmallow) to “Why did the elephant drink hot chocolate?” (he never found any marshmallows). And, occasionally, a young child saying ‘Marshmallow” into the microphone and everyone laughing just the same.

Yoga was not a household word in the 1980’s, most people either didn’t know what it was or thought it was wierd. I was doing yoga and meditation with these 3-7 year olds every day with great results. I wanted to offer it out to the world, to the public schools and educational communities. The games and songs I created helped us enjoy the yoga and meditation, and many similar ones were born naturally from the process. My songs were sometimes sang in thelocal Sunday services of the community. It seemed time to try and create something, something to give out to parents and educators. My friend and musician, Guru Prem Singh, agreed to do the music production so I set about turning my little melodies and games into real songs and movements.

Stephen Gardner stepped forward to do the illustrations. I started writing content for the book, carefully crafting it so it would appeal to formal educators and school systems, citing improved concentration, motor skill coordination and serenity as benefits from doing these yoga-inspired movements to music.

As luck would have it, a new regulation passed nationwide, requiring school systems to provide programs for the learning impaired and disabled. I brought my music and games to schools and people bought The Child’s Play booklet and CD. The Special Education departments noticed the most profound improvements and so it found its home there. All the photos on the back cover of the booklet are taken from the Special Education programs in the Santa Fe public schools.

Now that yoga is widely accepted, there are many programs in the schools which offer yoga postures, breathing, and quiet time. But the games and songs offered in Child’s Play are just as fun as they ever were. For children ages 3-8 the games have to be simple, even if the concepts the songs introduce are profound.

The music was sold by itself as a cassette, and many parents called it “The Magic Tape” because the songs and sound of my voice would calm the kids down if they were fighting or too rowdy in the car. This was one of my first indications that my voice could be used as a healing instrument, and led me to my later work in healing with adults and performing The Healing Concert. I hope the songs and games are enjoyable and their teachings reach hearts of all ages.

Praises,

Wah!