Yoga, a practice native to India that dates back thousands of years, can be taught to kids in a fun and educational manner. According to Yoga Journal, kids can derive many benefits from yoga. Marsha Wenig states that "it enhances their flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness. In addition, their concentration and sense of calmness and relaxation improves."
Step 1
Instruct children to start off by standing at the front of the mat. Tell them to stand tall and still like a tree. Have them play with their arms like the branches of the tree, lifting them above their heads with each inhale, and exhaling them down to their sides.
Step 2
Tell the children to fold forward so they are touching their toes. If they need to bend their knees slightly, that is OK. Have the kids hang there for several minutes so they can notice their backs and legs stretching out.
Step 3
Have the kids lie flat on their bellies. Tell them to imagine they are strong cobra snakes and are now going to lift their heads off the ground. Demonstrate the cobra pose by lifting up your chest from the ground, with elbows close to your side, and palms flat on the mat.
Step 4
Tell the kids to do this pose several times, having them inhale each time they lift up like a cobra. Have their feet stay straight and toes close together. Have them play with this pose, sticking out their tongues to imitate the strength of a cobra.
Step 5
Have the kids come up on their knees and hands. This pose is called table top. Instruct the kids to arch their back up to the sky like a cat, with their head leaning down. Then have the kids do the reverse, which is called cow pose, so that their bellies collapse down and their spines sink like the letter U and their heads lift upward.
Step 6
Tell kids to do this sequence several times, inhaling with each cow pose and exhaling with the cat pose. Next, have kids roll on their backs, hugging the knees to the chest. Have them roll side to side, and frontward and backward to stretch out and massage their backs.
Step 7
End the class by having kids lay on their backs without any movement. You want kids to be still and quiet as possible for several minutes. This is a time for deep relaxation and how you should end each yoga class.
Tips and Warnings
- Each yoga class for kids should be about 45 minutes long, according to Yael and Matthew R. Calhoun in their book "Create a Yoga Practice for Kids: Fun, Flexibility and Focus." You can add as many poses between the beginning warm-up to end relaxation pose. Having children imitate animals is an engaging way to make them connect and enjoy yoga. Also have kids work together or in small groups.
- Don't try poses that are be too advanced for kids. Injury can result with certain poses so it is important to be knowledgeable and prepared for each class.
Things You'll Need
- Yoga mat for each child
References
- Yoga Journal: Yoga for Kids
- "Create a Yoga Practice for Kids: Fun, Flexibility, And Focus"; Yael Calhoun, Matthew R. Calhoun; 2006
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