by sara | May 28, 2016 | Kids Yoga Lesson Plan, Yoga Poses
“The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children” —William Harvard
There is no other symbol of our freedom than that of the American Eagle! Try practicing Eagle Pose with your kids. It is wonderful for balance, core strength and detoxing as you hold this twisty tricky pose.
How to Hold Eagle Pose
- Begin in a standing position. Cross your right thigh over your left leg.
- Try to tuck your right foot behind the calf of your left leg.
- Bring your arms straight out in front of you, and then cross left arm over your right arm at the elbows.
- Bend left arm at the elbow and bring palms of hands together. If palms do not touch, then have the backs of hands touch.
- Bend your knees and hold your arms out in front of you with fingertips toward the sky.
- Squeeze everything tight.
- Repeat on the other side.
The Benefits of Eagle Pose
- Stretches shoulders and upper back
- Strengthens legs, hips and ankles
- Increases calm, focus, and concentration
- Works on balance and stability
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by sara | May 27, 2016 | Games, Kids Yoga Lesson Plan
GROUP YOGA CHALLENGE:
Beach ball pass with a twist! This is a great teamwork effort, core workout and fun for the kids as well! Sit in a circle and pass the beach ball with your feet. See if the ball can be passed with feet without using hands in the circle. Time the students and see if they can beat their record. Try not to let the ball touch the ground!
Need a beach ball? You can find one here.
How to Play Beach Ball Yoga
First: Blow up an inexpensive beach ball.
Then: With a permanent marker write down summer yoga poses such as shark, boat, mermaid, sunflower, starfish etc. Get your list of “beach themed” yoga poses below.
Next: Assemble all willing and excited participants in a seated circle. I like to start out seated because it gives an opportunity to time how fast we can pass the beach ball in a circle. This also eliminates frustration from the child that is having a hard time focusing on the game because they “have not gotten to touch the beach ball yet.”
Finally: Stand up and toss the beach ball across the circle. The person catches it and looks to see what pose their right thumb is near. Everyone practices the summer yoga poses. Play continues until every pose has been introduced and practiced.
Find the Best Kids Yoga Summer Yoga Poses here.
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by sara | May 23, 2016 | Kids Yoga Lesson Plan
The NEW Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards are now available here!
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Welcome to Go Go Yoga for Kids! You have found the place for creative yoga games, ideas, lesson plans and resources to introduce and teach yoga to kids.
We are here to make that easy for you! No kid yoga certification and additional training and research necessary.We have done that for you with our kid tried tested ideas!
Anyone who enjoys yoga and kids will be able to introduce and teach yoga to them through the creative ideas found with Go Go Yoga for Kids.
Go Go Yoga for Kids is a complete and creative guide for introducing kids to yoga through movement, mindfulness, fun, and games. By introducing yoga to kids you can empower them with lifelong skills that will help them physically and mentally throughout life. Yoga can be done in many places besides a yoga studio. It can easily be incorporated in the home, school, extracurricular activities, camps, clubs or anywhere you find kids who are ready to learn and have fun! Check back often for fun and easy ways to incorporate some yoga with the kids around you.
by sara | May 16, 2016 | Games, Kids Yoga Lesson Plan
What is one of my favorite things about teaching yoga for kids? There are so many fun and creative ways to introduce poses! Beachball Yoga is one of my favorite games to use with all ages of children… especially in the summer.
Buy an inexpensive blow-up beach ball. I got mine from the Dollar Store. With different colored permanent markers write a variety of yoga poses on the beachball. I like to make my poses summer and ocean theme related.
Pose Examples to Write on the Beach Ball:
Shark (Shark Pose)
Iguana (Plank)
Swimmer (Superman Pose)
Dolphin (Dolphin Pose)
Mermaid (up dog)
Sunflower (bend at waist, hold opposite elbow, and circle up and around while holding elbows)
Beach chair (Chair Pose)
Crab (Crab walks)
Sand castle (Down Dog)
Palm tree (Tree Pose)
Surfer (Warrior 2)
Fish (Fish Pose)
Jellyfish (bend at waist and let arms hang down)
Turtle (Turtle Pose)
Starfish (Savasana)
How to Play
Toss the beach ball around the circle. When a child catches it, have them read the pose nearest their thumb. Introduce that pose to the class and everyone can practice it. Then have the ball be tossed again to another student and go again. This is such a fun way to learn lots of different poses!
Check out our recommended kids yoga resources.
Need more Beach Ball Yoga ideas?
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by sara | May 12, 2016 | Games, Kids Yoga Lesson Plan, Yoga Poses
Kids love partner poses! They are fun to do and equally impressive to watch. Partner yoga poses for kids and working together as a group to accomplish a goal is fun and rewarding. It builds trust and community while building confidence. It is helpful to have someone near similar size for some of the partner poses, but partner poses can definitely be modified.
Fun partner yoga poses for kids that can be done anywhere and anytime:
Double Boat: This partner pose looks absolutely stunning and impressive when done correctly. Have each partner sit facing each other, knees bent and touching toes. Have them hold hands and lift legs. The bottoms of their feet should be touching as this helps with balance. Then the partners, if able, straighten their legs and lean back slightly as if in a “V” shape.
Raindrop: Each partner lays on their back 
with their heads touching. With their arms at their sides, they raise their feet above their heads to touch to make a giant raindrop.
I also like to call this pose a Fall Leaf or Hershey Kiss for Valentines Day kids yoga classes.
Double Down Dog:
Kids love try the Double Down Dog Partner Pose, but it is one that must be demonstrated and taken slow. I like to have the students 
practice their own Down Dogs quite a bit before moving into this partner pose.
Double Down Dog
I like to use the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards to help demonstrate the partner yoga poses. It is a great way to provide a visual while talking about the partner pose.
The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards include 40 yoga poses, partner poses, and an additional set of 10 yoga games to play with the cards. Learn more here.
You can also find partner yoga poses with our Kids Yoga Challenge App found in the App store.
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by sara | May 9, 2016 | Kids Yoga Lesson Plan
There are several ways to practice breath and being mindful with your kids, but the main goal is to make children aware of how they are feeling while slowing down their bodies and noticing their calming breath. Does their breath become short, shallow and fast when they are getting worked up or nervous about something?
The following is a simple sequence that allows children to practice becoming aware of their breath and it helps them focus and calm their nerves before a test, presentation, game, recital or anything that they are feeling anxiety or stress over.
How to do Calming Breath (and Teach Your Kids)
- Find a seated position comfortably with your hands resting open on your lap.
- Sit up tall, close your eyes.
- Breathe in for a count of five and out for a count of three through your nose.
- Repeat for five to seven rounds.
- Open your eyes and see how you feel. More peaceful and ready to take on the world?!
Help your kids practice this simple calming breath technique and it will become a tool that they will always have with them to use and find success with.
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