Yoga is a low-cost, non-competitive form of solo exercise which is of increasing interest for children. In 2009 and 2010, the White House's Easter Egg Roll included yoga classes for children. Classroom teachers have found the rich educational content and stress-reduction potential of yoga to be natural inclusions to their curriculum. Practicing yoga encourages focus and concentration, flexibility and balance, and overall coordination. Children and families alike can benefit from this practice.
Yoga Card Play
Buy or create a deck of yoga pose cards, which can be used to inspire practice while retaining a playful sense of purpose. Pick a yoga "pose of the day," or try to find a pose that links to your kids' school curriculum (i.e., "Breath of Fire" for studying volcanoes), season (i.e., "Lotus Pose" for spring), or interests (i.e., "Triangle Pose" for kids interested in math, "Cobra Pose" for kids interested in the rainforest).
Be a Zoo
Turn your home into a zoo. Many yoga poses have animal names, such as "Eagle," "Frog," Lion" and "Fish." Each of these animals lives in a different environment and makes different noises. Encourage your children to meow and gurgle while they stretch, and ask guided questions to increase their physical awareness: Can you fly in "Eagle Pose"? How do fish sleep? Maintaining a playful, creative atmosphere can engage children of varying ages and abilities.
Start a Sequence
Encourage memory, coordination, focus and endurance through yoga sequences, which move through several poses in a row and can be practiced on both sides of the body. The "Sun Salutation" is inspired by the movement of the sun across the sky and can be practiced in the morning to relieve stiffness, tension and restlessness.
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