I have a 7 year old and an 8 year old. We live in Washington, DC.  I
would like them to learn meditation.  Are there any places in the area
for them to learn this as children?

Hi r2-ga,

I called several Meditation Schools in the DC area and was told by 3
reputable schools that the closest place with Children's classes is in
Takoma Park at the "Willow Street Yoga Center."

Depending on your exact location, this might not be too far. I went to
the geobytes "City Distance Tool" (
http://www.geobytes.com/CityDistanceTool.htm ) ...and determined this
school is approximately 13 miles from DC.


Willow Street Yoga Center
6930 Carroll Ave.
Takoma Park, Maryland. 

Call Luisa (301) 891-2780
email: luisam@starpower.net
 
or, call Lynn (301) 530-4363
email lkelly@mail.nih.gov. 


Transcendental Meditation is available through The Consciousness-Based
Education Association (CBEA), started by the principal (Dr. George
Rutherford) at Fletcher-Johnson School in Washington D.C. See
information here:

The Consciousness-Based Education Association
http://www.cbeprograms.org/index.html 

Please note there is an "after school program":
http://www.cbeprograms.org/action/afterschool_program.html
It's possible this is your best bet, possibly there is an after school
program already started and ongoing in your area, or, or can start one
yourself.


Meditation in Washington DC
http://www.meditation-dc.org/meditation.htm
These folks are very helpful. They are thinking about starting a
meditation program for children... The man I spoke to here told me
about their "sister school" --that I mentioned above (Willow Street).

Vajrayogini Buddhist Center
3829 Warren Street NW 
Washington, DC 20016

Tel:   (202) 537-7075
E-mail: vajradharma108@yahoo.com


In addition to the above, this link should be very useful:
http://www.speakeasy.org/~tchilders/mgl_html/group2a.html

And this page should prove useful:

Insight Meditation Community of Washington
http://www.imcw.org/calendar.html

Also, you might consider these ideas:

Children's Meditation Series
http://www.learningmeditation.com/children.htm
The Home Page: http://www.learningmeditation.com/

Children's Meditation Tape: Dolphin Song, Relaxation Games & Guided
Imagery
http://www.insight-books.com/new/999113865x.html


I hope this has been helpful for you!

--Cynthia

Search terms used at Google:
Meditation and children and "Washington DC"
"childrens meditation" and "Washington DC"
children and meditation and DC

Hi r2-ga,

I e-mailed the Shambhala Center of Washington DC inquiring for
meditation classes for children that are 7 and 8 years old.
http://www.shambhala.org/centers/washingtondc/contacts.shtml

I received the following response from Kathy Idziak at e-mail:
kidz@comcast.net

“We have a gathering of children that meets once a month - not really
a class per se.  Just a very small group and informal -if you are
interested I can hook you up with the organizer
Thanks for the inquiry 
Kathy”
 
Shambhala Center of Washington DC
http://www.shambhala.org/centers/washingtondc/contacts.shtml

Best Regards,
Bobbie7

Hello again r2-ga,

Yesterday I was working on your question but because of a power
shortage I was not able to finish my research. I had sent out a couple
of email inquires and today I received this follow-up response from
the Shambhala Center:

“Yes we do have programming, introducing meditation, at the Shambhala
Center, and the age group fits ideally where our current children are
at.  We'll meet Saturday afternoon through the Spring, the 3rd
Saturdays of the month, at 2:30 to about 4:30.
Please give me a call if you like so I can brief you further.
Ira Zukerman
301-681-7018”

E-mail : ira.zukerman@starpower.net

Shambhala Center of Washington DC 
http://www.shambhala.org/centers/washingtondc/contacts.shtml 

I hope this helps!

Best regards,
Bobbie7-ga