Yoga Mirror is a wonderful game to practice slowing down, mindfulness and working together. I know that kids learn best by doing as opposed to us telling them about how to do it.
With Yoga Mirror, one child gets to be the leader and their partner needs to follow them exactly. This is empowering and fun for kids!
How to Play Yoga Mirror:
With Yoga Mirror, one child gets to be the leader and their partner needs to follow them exactly.
The leader needs to move very very slowly so their partner can keep up. It is almost as if you are looking into a mirror and seeing the movements happen at the same time.
I like to have the partners begin facing one another.
Model how slow they will move such as raising one hand and then the other, rolling their neck or looking up at the ceiling.
Once they have that mastered they can begin moving slowing into Cat/Cow stretches, Warrior 1 or other poses that allow them to still face one another so they can keep track of what is happening.
By letting kids take a turn being in charge and making decisions on what poses they are going to do, allows a deeper level of understanding. It is the simple act of doing, rather than telling.
Be sure to jump in and play along too. That makes it even extra special. How often do children get to lead and have adults follow? They love it!
Allow children to change who is the leader and follower each time.
Allow each turn to last 45 seconds to a minute. They do not need long!
Spring is here and with that comes the beautiful power of a rainstorm. I love a good rainstorm as it washes away the dirt, and leaves behind beauty, green, and a fresh start.
I love to create a thunderstorm with my students in my yoga class toward the end of class. The perfect time to do this is during the Community Building portion of the class which is right before settling into Savasana. If you are unsure of the correct sequence and important parts of a kids yoga lesson plan, then please check out our bestselling book, Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga with Kids. It breaks down the complete step by step to put together an engaging and memorable kids yoga class.
Creating a thunderstorm with kids completely quiets the class, mesmerizes them and they feel empowered as they are the ones that created it. This activity also utilizes many of your five senses which is wonderful in helping you feel aware and present.
How to Create a Thunderstorm:
Sit in a close circle with the lights off. Start with step one and the child on your right does what you are doing. Continue around the circle with each student adding to it. After the sound has made it around, continue onto step 2. I like this progression as it shows how the storm ebbs and flows.
Snap your fingers (the sound of light rain falling)
Clap your hands together
Slap your hands on your legs (at this time a student can flick a light switch on and off to represent lightning). They love this part!
Stomp your feet
Slap your hands on your legs and stomp your feet (this represents the strength of the storm lessening)
Stomp your feet
Slap your hands on your legs
Clap your hands together
Snap your fingers
Rub your hands together (the wind)
Open your palms (all is quiet)
This is definitely a fun activity to do with a Kids Yoga Springtime or a Jungle Adventure Theme. Have fun with it. This is something that your kids yoga classes can do over and over again and still be amazed by it.
Learn how to easily incorporate fun and beneficial yoga poses as well as mindfulness exercises for some family fun and together time! This free mini Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Masterclass will include the most beneficial yoga poses for these young growing bodies as well as fun yoga games to practice these poses.
You will also learn the top mindfulness exercises that can help calm children and set them up for success and a growth mindset. This mini master class is perfect for parents, educators and caregivers.
Discover in this Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Masterclass:
How adult yoga is different than kids yoga
What ages can children begin yoga
The benefits for children who practice yoga
How to easily & effectively teach yoga to children
Family fun yoga games that all ages will enjoy
How to easily help children relax and reduce anxiety in minutes
What teens & tweens really need with yoga & mindfulness exercises
How to easily implement mindfulness at home with your family in small moments
Ideas for fun yoga poses and breathing and calming exercises to begin doing right away.
Balance Practice: Use plastic gold coins to work on balancing them on your hand, head, knee, etc. The children will have lots of ideas on where they can balance their gold coins. You can also use these gold coins for balance relays which the kids think are lots of fun.
with Dr. Seuss ABC Dr.Seuss ABC book. As you introduce each letter of the alphabet, see if the children can form that letter with their body. This is also perfect for those kinesthetic learners that learn best while moving!
How many different letters can you make with your body?
4. Learn and Practice Yoga Poses
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss is perfect for learning and practicing many yoga poses!
Kids enjoy this book based on colors and animals which makes it the perfect book to tie in yoga poses. Read the book aloud and demonstrate the corresponding yoga pose for each animal. The children can then practice the poses.
Yoga Pose Examples From the Book:
Red Horse: Horse Pose
Blue Bird: Warrior 3
Brown Bear: Down Dog with Bear Walks
Green Fish: Fish Pose
For an additionals visual the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards include all of these poses to help make it engaging for the children.
Spring is here and with that comes the beautiful power of a rainstorm. I love a good rainstorm as it washes away the dirt, and leaves behind beauty, green, and a fresh start.
Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children
