Louis Hay has long been a 'go to' on my book shelf. Her amazing book, 'You Can Heal Your Life,' has been an inspiration for me so I am always looking for ways to incorporate her teachings in our Zen Club sessions. In a world where children are increasingly navigating big emotions—stress, anxiety, self-doubt—Louise Hay’s timeless wisdom offers a way forward. Known for her work in emotional healing and affirmations, Hay believed that our thoughts and feelings directly affect our wellbeing. At Zen Club, we take this philosophy and make it child-friendly, helping young hearts feel safe, loved, and empowered.
So how do we adapt ideas like “You Can Heal Your Life” for children? Gently, playfully, and with lots of fun!
Affirmations as Emotional Anchors
Hay’s foundation was simple but profound: “Every thought we think is creating our future.” For children, this can be transformed into daily affirmations that shape self-belief. At Zen Club, we help children create and repeat phrases like:
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“I am loved, just as I am.”
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“My feelings are okay.”
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“I am safe and strong.”
These aren’t just cute sayings—they’re neural imprints. Repeated lovingly, they become anchors in moments of worry or low confidence.
Mirror Magic & Self-Love Rituals
Inspired by Hay’s mirror work, it is so powerful to ask children to look in the mirror and say something kind to themselves. At home, this might be paired with drawing their reflection, decorating it with positive words, or placing handprints around their image to “hold” them with love.
It’s emotional resilience in action—building up the inner voice so it speaks kindly in tough moments.
Body Maps: Feelings Live in the Body
Hay believed emotions could manifest physically—a stomachache might be fear, a sore throat unspoken sadness. For children, we explore this through colourful body maps. They identify where their feelings “live”—tight chest, butterflies in the tummy—and then gently place their hands on this area and visualise a colour or the energy getting smaller and releasing. Sometimes we use crystals and lie down with a crystal on the area.
It's not diagnosis—it’s self-awareness. Children learn to listen to their bodies as gentle messengers.
Reframing Thoughts with Creativity
Hay encouraged reframing limiting beliefs into empowering ones. For kids, this might mean turning “I’m bad at this” into “I’m learning something new.” In Zen Club we encourage children to recognise their strengths and turn the negative inner voice into a positive and empowering one.
From Philosophy to Practice
Louise Hay’s legacy reminds us that healing is possible with love, intention, and compassion. At Zen Club, we’re nurturing this idea from the roots up—helping children build inner strength not by “fixing” emotions, but by embracing them.
When kids say “I am enough” and believe it… that’s the magic.
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