I love introducing yoga to children and have been thrilled that Go Go Yoga for Kids has gotten to be a part of many fun family events as well as author events this past year.
I feel uncomfortable just sitting behind a table, and I would much rather interact with the children and introduce them to yoga through a variety of ways.
Often when Go Go Yoga for Kids does an event, I will teach a kids yoga class, or offer mini yoga sessions so the children can get an opportunity to try yoga in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
This past weekend we had an event at a zoo so I was ready with zoo animal yoga poses and our popular Off the Zoo Kids Yoga Lesson Plan.
A new favorite kids yoga game to play is the Yoga Dice Game. For this game you need a giant dice. I found a fun inexpensive blow up one on Amazon.
Use packing tape or clear tape to attach the poses to the dice.
I also printed out labels for the poses. This step isn’t necessary as the pose cards already have the names of the poses on them.
Each player takes a turn to roll the dice. Whatever pose comes up, the player does that pose.
Continue rolling the dice until all of the poses are mastered.
See another fun way to play the Kids Yoga Dice Game here.
For the Zoo Kids Yoga Event, I had animal stickers to give the children when they tried the pose. It is not necessary, however, as the kids just had fun rolling the giant dice.
I also love that you can continue changing the poses on the dice so the game continues to be fresh and fun. It also works great for all ages. Have fun playing the Yoga Dice Game!
As a mom of three and a teacher for over 18 years, I frequently see a recurring theme of anxiousness in children, and it is completely normal. Kids get nervous or stressed. Any different event such as starting a new school year, taking tests, trying new activities, and meeting new people can bring about uncertainty, unease, and worry. Luckily yoga for anxiety can give kids the tools the handle the stress.
When we worry, we take short, shallow breaths which continue to ignite the feeling of unease in our bodies. Slowing down our breathing and taking long, deep breaths naturally brings on a sense of calmness and peace.
Try these three breathing exercises with your kids. These calming techniques are effective for any age, and can be done anywhere – in the morning, during a car ride, sitting in school, or before bedtime. Yoga for anxiety can be done anytime, anywhere.
Shoulder Shrugs
Roll your shoulders back and down so they are away from your ears. Breathe deeply in through your nose as you raise your shoulders up by your ears. Breath out and lower your shoulders. Repeat movement 3-5 times and feel the tension melt away.
Darth Vader Breath
This is a favorite with children as they associate an image with this breathing exercise. Breathe deeply in and out while exhaling strongly through an open mouth.
Ocean Waves
Close your eyes and imagine you are an ocean wave. Breathe in and out deeply as if you are an ocean wave crashing on the beach. Alternate the frequency of your breath to become shorter and longer waves.
By introducing yoga for anxiety to kids, you will be giving them lifelong skills to become calm and focused, and better manage their anxiety when facing new situations.
Kids can do yoga too! One of my passions is teaching yoga to kids and helping others learn how to use yoga with kids in fun and engaging ways. Kids yoga doesn’t need to be overly complicated or time-consuming. You just need a sense of humor and willingness to have fun!
You don’t need to have many supplies or materials to teach yoga to kids, but being knowledgeable of some different items and having a few tricks up your sleeves, helps with keeping the interest level high with kids. Shorter sessions and having a few props that accompany the poses are very beneficial. Child size equipment is also useful for children practicing yoga, and child size mats, balance balls, and accessories will enhance their practice.
I always enjoy highlighting a few favorite props and resources that I use while teaching yoga to kids including a breathing ball and great read aloud books that inspire yoga poses and movement with kids.
I am also a new fan of grippy socks or sticky socks for kids. These inexpensive little accessories help with balance, stability and allow young yogis to practice anywhere–even without a mat.
When I teach my kids yoga classes, I always have the students remove their shoes and socks. Normal socks are slippery and make it difficult to hold poses. It can sometimes be a slow process of helping preschool aged children put on their socks again after class, but if they had these yoga socks it would definitely go faster because they could leave them on for the whole class.
Join Go Go Yoga for Kids and have a whole lot of fun at Family Fun Day presented by Des Moines Moms on September 16, 2017. Learn some new poses, play some yoga games, and prepare to get fit, flexible, focused, and have fun with yoga.
You won’t want to miss this first ever event at Waukee Centennial Park. Tons of fun to be had for the entire family with inflatables, goody bags, food, drinks, and desserts.
Get your 2 for 1 tickets and find out more here. See you soon!
The wonderful preschool age is one of my favorites stages for kids. This age group is imaginative, creative, and always up for trying something new. When I was asked to speak and exhibit at the Iowa Early Childhood Conference about Using Yoga in the Preschool Classroom, of course I had to say yes. I have so much to share about how to use yoga with kids at home or school.
These preschool early childhood teachers and directors were ready to learn about how to incorporate yoga into their classroom with yoga poses, games, breathing exercises, lesson plans, and much more.
I love teaching how ordinary props and materials can be used to engage children and get them excited about yoga.
The benefits of using yoga with kids is unbeatable. The good news is, that they are the same benefits for adults. We rocked the Top 9 Yoga Poses for Kids. These poses are perfect for these young and growing bodies.
Are you interested in teaching yoga to kids? Find out more about our Online Kids Yoga Training here.
We currently have over 150 students from over 25 different countries. We would love to see you in class.
Join Go Go Yoga for Kids on August 4, 2017, for one of two sessions on using Yoga in the Preschool Classroom during the Iowa Preschool and Early Childhood Conference.
Get ready to jump in, learn, and have fun with this engaging session of how to use Yoga in early childhood conference. The many benefits of yoga make this a wonderful addition to any classroom setting. Yoga provides a way to keep children engaged, provide meaningful transitions for one activity to another, and reinforce learning and mindfulness. Yoga is also excellent for promoting a sense of well being, creativity, and teamwork. Learn how to get kids fit, flexible, and focused by using yoga in the classroom.
