In the nursery rhyme that begins "Monday's Child," each day is associated with a trait or feeling. Many of us remember it from our childhood, and some of us even recite it with our own children today. But if you're like me, you probably never considered where the poem originated or thought to question its underlying premise. Only as an adult did I begin to believe that the days of the week really do correspond to certain qualities, or energies, and that we can use this knowledge to improve our day-to-day lives.

I began studying Naam yoga in 2006. Developed by Dr. Joseph Michael Levry, Naam yoga is a spiritual science that merges Eastern yogic practice with the esoteric teachings of the universal Kabbalah. Many people associate the Kabbalah with celebrities or think it's a passing fad, but in reality it's a very old belief system focused on understanding and working within laws of nature and rhythms and patterns in life.

According to one Kabbalistic principle, the seven planets of the sky exert a physical influence on Earth and on our minds in a periodic succession equivalent to the days of the week. By studying this pattern, we can determine what to do — and what to avoid — to increase our chances of success, health, and happiness. I find children to be especially receptive to this idea. Here I've provided a cheat sheet with the days of the week, each day's corresponding planet, and some brief tips to align yourself and your children with the energy of each day: