Part of the fun of introducing children to yoga is teaching classes and leading events. I do both of these on a regular basis and understand that while they are both important, they are both completely different in terms of how to teach kids yoga.
I am the type of person that likes to try to be prepared in all that I do. When I plan for my kids yoga classes that I teach regularly, I already know the ages and number of children ahead of time. This allows me to select age appropriate themes, yoga poses, props, and prepare an engaging lesson plan.
When leading those one time (medium or large sized) kids yoga events such as at bookstores, stores, parks,schools, libraries, and expos, there are different ways to go about planning and preparing. To see where Go Go Yoga for Kids has been recently, check out the links above.
Embrace the Unknown
There is definitely an element of the unknown to consider. How many kids will actually show up at the event? Will there be that large of an age range for children there? How to teach kids yoga? What other distractions and varying surroundings are there to think about such as the weather, other people, and surrounding noises?
All of these unknowns can make planning difficult, but I have come up with a few guidelines that help make these large group kids yoga events go smoothly.
Over Pack and Plan
I know my children and husband would agree that this is one of my biggest talents (or burdens as they usually help lug all of my props and materials). Every class I teach I bring extra mats for kids that don’t have one. I also bring seasonal or theme related props such as beachballs, snowballs, Easter Eggs, etc). See some of my favorite props here. These props are also great for attention-getting in a busy setting. I also have a lesson plan in mind that I want to use with 1-2 additional activities such as related partner poses, marker board, or read aloud books for just in case.
Arrive Early
This is a biggie. No matter how early I arrive at an event, the time always flies before the class starts. Allow yourself time to check in with the organizer and thank them for inviting you, check the sound system/speaker for your music, and set up/organize any materials and resources. I also like to welcome the kids and help get the mats or beach towels appropriately. I like to have my classes begin in a circle and is helpful for you to help lay down the first couple of mats so others will get the idea.
Keep It Moving
My recommenced class time frame for an event is for 30-40 minutes. Since you are unsure of the actual numbers and ages of children that will show up, it is better to have your class time be filled with movement, poses, and games and Stillness and Savasana at the end. Your job is to introduce children to yoga. Of course safety is a priority, but during an event is not the time to be sure that every child’s leg is in a perfect 90-degree angle in Warrior 2.
Be Thankful
At the end, be sure to thank the kids (and adults who brought them) for coming and give them any additional ideas and resources for continuing to practice yoga at home. Many times, this may be a child’s first interaction with yoga so be proud that you helped introduce them to this practice and the life long skills and benefits that accompany yoga.
Check out our fun Kids Yoga in the Park event here.
Spring has finally arrived! It was a perfect day to celebrate with Kids Yoga in the Park with Go Go Yoga for Kids and Des Moines Parent. Over 50 kids, parents, and caregivers joined in the outdoor yoga fun.
First, we warmed up our bodies with Sunrise and Sunset Salutations followed by some Sunflower exercises. Next, we selected surprise poses from the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards. We practiced and perfected our yoga poses by showing how strong we were with our Warrior 2 jumps, rowing in our Boat Pose, Down Dog kick ups, and the Tree Pose balance challenge.
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We practiced our poses with a fun Musical Mats game and completed the class with a very peaceful and relaxing Stillness and Savasana while listening to the sounds of nature all around.
Check out our Kids Yoga in the Park preview below. It was a windy (but sunny!) day. The audio isn’t perfect and we were able to get just a little glimpse of this fun class with video, but will give an idea of the fun we had!
Want to learn more about How to Plan a Kids Yoga Event and Class Like a Pro? See our best tips and article here. No it does not include fully charging your video camera 😉 These tips are very hands-on and practical.
Thank you, Mindful Teachers, for your honest book review of Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children. Read an excerpt of their review below.
Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children (recommended book)
Sara Weis is a mother and elementary school teacher, as well as an experienced kids yoga instructor and teacher trainer. So she has a lot of useful suggestions for how to structure and pace a class while keeping kids safe and engaged.
But her biggest strength is as the creator of fun yoga-based activities. Her new book, Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children has dozens of games and activities: Yoga Bingo! Princesses and pirates! Not to mention the four seasons, birthdays, the Olympics, and trips to the farm and circus. (Although I suspect one of the most popular themes might turn out to be the “Quick-and-Easy No-Time-to-Plan Kids Yoga Lesson.”)
Other features of the book include:
a variety of breathing practices;
the best yoga poses for children;
three different versions of a template for planning your own lessons;
a dozen lessons based on read-aloud books, including I Am Yoga and I Am Peace by Susan Verde; and
Go Go Yoga for Kids is thrilled to announce the launching of the Kids
Yoga Challenge Pose Cards internationally! Now you have the option to purchase directly from our store, Amazon.com or Amazon.uk.
The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards will challenge you and your kids with balance, flexibility, mindfulness, and more. This yoga cards for kids deck includes 40 poses including partner poses, confidence building pose mantras, and fun games to play together using these cards.
The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards Include:
40 progressive yoga cards for kids including partner poses
Empowering pose mantras for beginners and meditation
Poses rated from 1-5 stars based on levels
Easy to follow poses to create many original yoga flows
15 Bonus Games to play using these pose cards
Tested and proven yoga poses to bring most mental and physical benefit
Takes only minutes each day to gain lifelong skills and health benefits
Comes in a fun drawstring burlap bag
Read what others are saying about the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards.
The Go Go Yoga for Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards are an excellent product for parents, teachers, and kids yoga instructors alike! The illustrations are bright and colorful, and the cards can be used in so many different ways. My kids just love practicing the poses, and we can’t wait to try the suggested games. These cards are a great companion to Sara’s book but can also be used on their own. Highly recommend!!
–Erin Leach
These cards are awesome! Simple, kid-friendly pictures and an inspiring statement to go with each card. I used these in my Kindergarten classroom and was able to quickly and easily teach a handful of poses. There is a card with suggested ways to use the cards and suggestions for games to play with them, too. Will purchase more sets of these to use as gifts and give to fellow educators and parents.
Join Go Go Yoga for Kids with a Kids Yoga Winter Class at the Health and Fitness Expo. Kids of all ages practice breathing exercises, yoga games, balance practice, mindfulness, and stillness and savasana.
Winter Kids Yoga Poses from the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards include:
Snowboarding: Warrior 2 Jumps
Snow Angels
Down Dog Snow Forts
Ice Skating in Dancer Pose
Triangle Pose
Kids Yoga Games include:
Choose Your Pose
Musical Mats
Balancing Snowflakes
Pass the Squeeze Mindfulness Game
Melting Ice Cube
Even with all of the expo noise and distraction the children are engaged, having fun, and ready for their Stillness and Savasana at the end.
of children ahead of time. This allows me to select age appropriate themes, yoga poses, props, and prepare an engaging lesson plan.
Embrace the Unknown
n event, the time always flies before the class starts. Allow yourself time to check in with the organizer and thank them for inviting you, check the sound system/speaker for your music, and set up/organize any materials and resources. I also like to welcome the kids and help get the mats or beach towels appropriately. I like to have my classes begin in a circle and is helpful for you to help lay down the first couple of mats so others will get the idea.
minutes. Since you are unsure of the actual numbers and ages of children that will show up, it is better to have your class time be filled with movement, poses, and games and Stillness and Savasana at the end. Your job is to introduce children to yoga. Of course safety is a priority, but during an event is not the time to be sure that every child’s leg is in a perfect 90-degree angle in Warrior 2.
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on their own or in conjunction with the books.
mental and physical benefit
