A successful kids yoga class uses yoga poses that are fun, challenging and presented in a playful manner. Writer and yoga enthusiast Jaimal Yogis emphasizes that yoga should be made available to children, but not forced upon them. To encourage children's interest in yoga, incorporate games, music and let them create some of their own yoga poses. Also, take a few moments to talk about breathing, as PBS.org suggests. Breathe in and out evenly, through the nose.
Lion Pose
Most children are fascinated by animals. Lion pose introduces children to a traditional, stress-relieving pose for facial tension and may set a playful mood at the beginning of a yoga class. Sit on your knees and place your hands, palms down, on your upper thighs. Take a deep inhale through the nose. Next, open the mouth, exhale and stick the tongue out, making a whispery "ah" sound. Allow your eyes to gaze upward with the exhale.
Giant Beach Ball Pose
With a take on the standard prayer squat pose, children can have fun with their strength. Stand with your feet wide apart. Bend the knees and sink your hips down until they are roughly level with your knees. Reach your arms straight out to your sides and turn your palms up. Imagine that you are holding up a giant beach ball that is the length of your arm span. Next, imagine that the beach ball is growing larger so you have to strengthen the legs even more. Enjoy the pose for a few inhales and exhales.
Flying Warrior Three
Cue up some theme songs from recent super hero movies for a variation of warrior three pose. Balance on one leg as you lean forward to raise one leg up until it is parallel to the floor. Bring your arms out to your sides or out straight in front of you to pretend that you are flying. Ask children to describe what they see on the Earth below them as they fly around the world.
Crab Walk Table Top
Use a variation of upward plank pose for a quick game of crab soccer. Make two lines of children, one on each side of the room. From a seated position, lift the hips up toward the sky and balance the body on the hands and feet, forming a table shape. Walk in table top position toward the center of the room. Try to kick a balance ball to the other team's side.
Super Hero or Locust Pose
If the children enjoyed the flying warrior three pose, then they might like super hero pose. This time, start on the belly. Lift the feet and chest off the floor. Pretend that you are flying. Reach the arms straight out in front of you to fly faster and to your sides to glide. Travel around the world as you strengthen your lower back muscles.
Wiggling Bug Pose
Lie on your back. Raise your arms straight up and keep the knees bent in a 90 degree angle. Lower an arm and an opposite leg down to a hover above the floor, then raise them back up before switching sides. Try to keep your back pressing into the floor or yoga mat. This pose can help children with their lefts and rights as it strengthens their core muscles. When finished, release your concentration in the pose by wiggling like a crazy bug.
Pencil Stretch
After wiggling bug pose, reach your arms and legs straight together on the floor. Your arms should point to the wall behind you and your toes to the wall closest to your feet. Let your thumbs interlock and touch your fingertips together. Stretch, reach and breathe. Close your eyes and relax for a minute or two.
Member Comments
lsippos June 15
yoga poses without pictures make very little sense to me
pics would be very helpful in the future