Weekly Circle of Joy
Ananda Washington is providing “Circle of Joy” Sunday School every Sunday at the Blue Lotus Temple, 10:15-11:10 (approximate).
Who may participate: Children 4-10
Parents have the option to join us downstairs or stay in the Sanctuary.
How does it work? Children will stay with parents upstairs in the sanctuary until after the first chant; then they go downstairs with teachers to the large classroom. Children will be brought back upstairs to join their parent/caregivers in the sanctuary for the “Touch of Light” blessing during the Festival of Light.
Activities on a Sunday morning
- Getting acquainted games
- Ananda children’s songs
- Short yoga/relaxation time
- Storytime – based on character values, stories from teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and saints like St. Francis
- Simple snack
- Art/craft time
Topics
- Stories of Paramhansa Yogananda’s life, Jesus Christ and saints such as Saint Francis
- Spiritual values: kindness, will power, truth, love, positive attitude, higher consciousness
Summer Family Fun 2026
On Sundays July 26 and August 16 at 12:30 – 3:30pm
at Ananda Community, 20715 Larch Way, Lynnwood WA 98036
- Bring a family picnic and your picnic blanket (outdoor tables and chairs also available)
- Swimming in our community pool – bring your bathing suits (there will be changing tents outside)
- Play badminton and other games
- Enjoy crafts
Ananda Community welcomes families. Our intention is to share a friendly place for parents and kids to get to know each other. Please email me with any questions at ellen@anandawa.org
In Joy,
Jyoti (Ellen Morris), Children’s Program Coordinator
Who are the Teachers?
Jyoti (Ellen) Morris
Lead teacher and coordinator.
She directed the Kid’s Yoga Day Camp summer 2023, at the Lynnwood Ananda Community. She is a retired Montessori teacher and Ananda meditation teacher.
Shakti (Sharon) Traeger
Co-lead Teacher.
She is a retired pre-school teacher and Ananda meditation teacher.
Support for Parents
Books:
- Education for Life by Swami Kriyananda
- Calm and Compassionate Children by Susan Usha Dermond
- Awake and Ready by Susan Usha Dermond
- Sharing Nature with Children by Joseph Bharat Cornell
- How to Talk so Kids will Listen and How to Listen so Kids will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
- Siblings without Rivalry by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
- Trauma-proofing your Kids by Peter Levine
- The Whole Brain Child by Daniel Seigel, MD and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD
- The Explosive Child, a New Approach by Ross W. Greene, PhD
Website:
Education for Life Home
Resources:
Sharing Meditation with Children
Other Sunday school teachers will be part of a rotating team and they will be trained by Ellen Morris. If you would like to be one of them, please contact Ellen Morris at ellen@anandawashington.org.