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.
Children love this Snow Much Fun kids yoga lesson plan. All you need is some names of winter yoga poses and some plush white balls. I found these balls on Amazon. I then attached a small sticker to the snowballs with the name of a yoga pose on each one.
I like to use a present box or holiday gift bag to put the snowballs in. It creates a lot more anticipation when the kids take turns drawing the pose (snowball) out of a box or bag. Select just 4-6 yoga poses for the children to learn and practice for each yoga class. It is best to focus on practicing a few yoga poses during a class instead of many.
After one pose is drawn, all of the children practice that pose before drawing out a new pose.
After all of the snowballs have been selected, then it is time to play some yoga games or practice balancing. Have the children try to balance the snowball on their head, hand, shoulder, etc.
Children can also use their snowball for a breathing exercise called the Snowball Race. Students line up their snowball at the back of their yoga mat. On your mark, get set and go! They try to use their strong breath to move the snowball to the end of their mat.
How to Teach Yoga to Kids Using Mindfulness Picture Books:
Learn about the secret power of reading aloud to children while doing yoga poses to help give the greatest benefit to kids. As a teacher and reading specialist, I understand the importance of reading aloud to children while keeping kids mindful, active, and learning to achieve great benefits. When you read aloud to children and combine it with yoga poses, you have children that are becoming mindful, fit, and literate! In this video you will discover some of the best books to read aloud to children and learn how you can easily incorporate movement and yoga poses into these read aloud times. A full kids yoga lesson plan that you can use with kids at home or school will also accompany this video.
Benefits:
Children who are read aloud to get a head start in language and literacy. It increases their vocabulary and opportunity for comprehension practice. Combine that with yoga and you have children moving and stretching their bodies while increasing their focus and balance while having fun! When kids are moving it helps enhance their understanding and retention of what they have learned. This is called kinesthetic learning and it is perfect to use with those busy wiggly kids that need to move their bodies during or after those long school days of sitting.
Find your copy of the Brown Bear Brown Bear Kids Yoga lesson plan here.
Life is an adventure! It is full of unexpected twists, turns and ups and downs. This can sometimes cause uncertainty and unease which kids can easily pick up on in their day to day lives. Help kids manage their emotions, keep a positive attitude and connect with themselves and others with the use of positive affirmations, mantras and yoga.
Go Go Yoga for Kids and Zendoway have partnered together to give parents, teachers and other caregivers the tools and lesson plans to keep kids positive.
Looking for something active and fun to do with children this winter?
Children love this Snow Much Fun Kids Yoga Lesson plan. All you need are some names of yoga poses that you want to teach, some plush white balls, and some pose card visuals which make it helpful for children to see and understand what the pose looks like.
Before plying with kids I attach a small sticker or tape to the snowballs with the name of a yoga pose on each one. Fun poses to include that children always enjoy learning and practicing are Star Pose, Warrior 2, Boat Pose, Chair Pose, and Triangle Pose.
Select just 4-6 yoga poses for the children to learn and practice for each themed cold yoga class. It is best to focus on practicing a few yoga poses during a class instead of many yoga poses.
I like to use a present box or holiday gift bag to put the snowballs in. It creates a lot more anticipation when the kids take turns drawing the pose (snowball) out of a box or bag.
After one snowball pose is drawn, all of the children practice that pose before drawing out a new pose.
I model the poses myself or use the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards or the Kids Yoga Challenge App to help demonstrate the pose. After all of the snowballs have been selected, then it is time to play some yoga games to practice the poses.
Kids also love practicing balance with their snowballs. I like to line the children up on one end of the room. Slowly they try to walk and balance their snowball on their outstretched hand, in their elbow, under their chin, or on top of their heads. Ask the children where else they could balance their snowball. They are sure to have ideas.
Children can also use their snowball for a breathing exercise called the Snowball Race. Students line up their snowball at the back of their yoga mat. On your mark, get set and go! They try to use their strong breath to move the snowball to the end of their mat.
At the end of class, have the children slowly melt into their mats, and place their snowball on their bellies. As they breathe deeply, they can notice the rise and fall of their breath with the snowball.
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.
