Mindfulness : an attitude, a way of dealing with life until a few years ago that was still rather unknown in Italy, but which many of us have now begun to know and appreciate. In extreme synthesis it is an inner attitude that helps to fully live the present . It translates into very concrete practices: simple breathing exercises and small gestures . Practices that it is good to start considering personal heritage from when you are young as the volume " Your polar star " (Il Castoro, 2022, pp. 160), by Elisa Castiglioni , for several years a scholar and passionate about mindfulness, points out and yoga.
In the book, illustrated by Carolina Zùniga , the author demonstrates how with depth and concreteness it is possible to help today's kids to live their daily lives with more serenity, autonomy and awareness , through a better knowledge of themselves and their inner resources.
Indeed, "Your North Star" teaches kids in a simple way that mindfulness can be incorporated into their daily life as a great resource: the mind, body, emotions and relationships are intertwined aspects that define our individuality and in this volume are investigated chapter by chapter.Each theme is addressed with concrete examples and practices to be carried out independently.Many small strategies and precautions within everyone's reach, to get to know each other better and fully experience the present.
We asked Elisa Castiglioni how the idea of a book focused on mindfulness specifically dedicated to young and very young people came about:
«During the pandemic, the discomfort of the kids exploded. And so I felt the desire to collect the practices that I have learned and experienced over the years to share them in a book. Anxiety is very present in life today, especially for the youngest. And if you aren't prepared, it becomes difficult to deal with negative emotions. I have always proposed yoga and mindfulness in my meetings with them, but something was missing without a book. Maybe because I write books. Or perhaps because it was through a book that I encountered mindfulness. This is how Your Polar Star was born».
You have written many novels dedicated to young people. Now it comes with a manual. Was it also a different writing experience for you than in the past?
«Reflecting, I realized that I have in a certain sense already talked about mindfulness in my books, even if they were novels. In The Girl Who Reads the Clouds, released about ten years ago, the protagonist observed the sky immersed in her thoughts. That was already a way to propose a meditation. However, with Your North Star I had to find the courage within myself to put myself on the line in a different way. In a novel, the author can somewhat hide behind his characters. In this new book I had to play cards face up. I had to talk about what has become a way of life for me, a way that has brought me a lot of benefit».
How was the reaction of readers to your book?
«Great interest, and not only from the younger audience. As I hoped the book is appreciated across the board. It is also affecting teachers, parents. The proposal made by the book of new ways of relating to be built together, young people and adults is understood. It is, in fact, a book that wants to open channels of dialogue even between generations. A boy told me that he wants to let his father read it, with whom he finds it hard to have a dialogue. A girl, after a presentation meeting told me that after doing the breathing exercises in the book she was fine and it's not usually easy for her to feel fine. These are words that have touched me…sometimes personal well-being is taken for granted, but that is absolutely not the case».
