We live in a fast-paced world and so do our children. How can we, as adults and teachers, help children connect with themselves and others and also enjoy the moments that we are in?
What we think about ourselves can often impact how we develop.
If we feel we are inadequate, then we’ll behave like that.
If we believe we are special and loved, we will most likely behave as if we are special and loved.
This is one reason why affirmations and mantras can be an important tool to help children develop positive foundations on which to grow. A positive self-belief system built in childhood will hopefully stay with a person throughout their life.
What are Mantras?
The word ‘mantra’ comes from Sanskrit, and is generally used to mean a special word or phrase that’s used in meditation. Some parents and teachers may be concerned that mantras conflict with their religious beliefs, but mantras don’t need to have a religious aspect or overtone.
You can think of mantras as a few positive words spoken to ourselves each day. This can make such a difference to our whole mind and heart.
Mantras are similar to affirmations, and over time they can help change the way we feel. Mantras are repeated over and over to ourselves out loud or silently. It’s a wonderful technique for kids to use to set themselves up for doing their best and feeling good about themselves and their efforts.
Providing different tools for children to practice mindfulness with mantras, breathingexercises, and yoga poses is one of my passions.
Each card shows a yoga pose and corresponding mantra. Each of the yoga poses involves a variety of muscles working and may make a person feel differently. The accompanying affirmation for each pose is short and memorable.
Try a few yoga poses with children. As they are holding each pose, ask them what muscles they feel working and also how does it make them feel.
This practice involves mindfulness since it is not only what they feel working in their body, but how the pose makes them feel, i.e. strong, brave, or peaceful. For example, Warrior 1 Pose may make them feel strong, but Child’s Pose may make them feel safe.
Then you can teach them a simple phrase, which they can remember in a stressful moment or a time of unease. Effective mantras for kids could be: “I am thankful,” “I am loved,” “I am safe,” or “Let it go,” which is also a great one for adults.
It is no secret that many children learn best when they are moving. As a school teacher and children’s yoga instructor, I understand that when movement and affirmations are tied together, it can be a powerful way to help children learn.
Combining mantras with yoga poses has several benefits:
It helps children focus and concentrate;
It helps them learn to respect their bodies and one another;
It helps them quiet their minds and connect with each other; and
Most importantly, mantras help them create inner confidence as children, which can help shape a person’s whole life.
Are you ready to learn more about teaching yoga to children? Our popular online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training includes everything you need to know to successfully learn how to teach yoga to children online and in person. Perfect for home, school and studio.
Congratulations on taking the time to truly gain an understanding of why each part of a kids yoga class is important. By following our everything will easily fall into place for you and your students. A well-thought-out and organized lesson plan will create more opportunities for learning, engagement and create lasting memories.
The Welcome is the very first part of your kids yoga class and it is the first real class interaction you will have together. The Welcome helps set the tone for how your class will go and helps explain to your students what they will be doing and learning as well as what you expect of them.
When you establish and make a connection
with your students right from the start, it makes such a difference throughout
your class as you introduce and teach breathing exercises, yoga
poses, games, challenges, relaxation, and more.
I think about this in my school classroom as well. Children need to know that they are safe and cared for. When you have a connection and a trust established, then you can truly teach the content, relax, and have fun teaching.
In the beginning of my kids’ yoga classes, I like to gather the students in a circle and welcome them warmly while having them introduce themselves. This will help you get an overall sense of their mood and abilities from the start. It is also the ideal time to reinforce their names with their faces which comes in handy with the management of the class.
I like to have my students share their name
and answer a question.
For example:
Sharing something that they are good at
What do you already know about yoga?
Share why yoga is good for you
Demonstrate any yoga poses that they already know
Ask a theme-related question (in relation to the yoga theme of class) such as “Which superhero would you be and why?”
I also like to briefly go over my 3 No-Fail Rules at this time. You only need these three rules to keep your class running seamlessly which is a big deal for the success and involvement of your classes. These 3 No-Fail Rules and many classroom teaching videos are all included in our online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training course. Enroll now and work through at your own pace and time with our support throughout.
Remember, you only get one chance to make that first impression. The Welcome does not need to be long, but it is the best opportunity to let kids know how excited you are that they are there and to introduce them to the theme and format for the class.
In our super fast-paced world today, it is more important than ever to help our kids find ways to relax and stay physically active. Yoga will help with movement, mindfulness, and deep breathing and is an excellent way to find this balance. By adding a few moments of yoga into your kids’ daily routine can have many benefits, including flexibility, focus, and an overall sense ofwell-being.
5 Easy Ways to Include Yoga in Your Child’s Day:
Morning Yoga Stretch: Start the day right with so simple stretches like Cat Post to Cow Pose or with Sun Salutations. Do this with your kids and encourage them to match their breath with their movements. This can help wake up their bodies, improve circulation, and set a calm and focused tone for the day ahead.
Take a Yoga Break: Just as adults benefit from taking breaks during the day, kids can also benefit from mini yoga sessions. Encourage your children to take short yoga breaks If feeling overwhelmed. Do a few quick and easy stretches or balance poses. Use the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards to help make selecting different poses engaging and fun.
Go on a Yoga Adventure: Create an adventure story that incorporates various yoga poses. For example, if the story is about a journey through the jungle, each animal encountered could correspond to a different pose such as Tree Pose, Gorilla Pose and Cobra Pose. This not only keeps kids engaged but also helps them remember and enjoy the poses in a creative context.
Family Yoga Time: Try some partner poses from The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards to help with teamwork and togetherness. This shared experience not only promotes physical well-being but also strengthens family bonds.
Bedtime Yoga: Yoga is a great relaxing and soothing activity before bedtime. Help your kids transition from the busyness of the day to a calm and relaxed state by guiding them through gentle stretches and calming breathing exercises. My favorite restorative yoga poses are Legs-Up-the-Wall and Reclining Butterfly Pose. This is a wonderful way to wind down and release any stress from the day.
Legs Up the Wall is a Favorite Restorative Yoga Pose
I just love the fresh start feeling of a new school year. As a teacher and a parent myself, I understand that we want our children to be in a collaborative, creative, calm and supported classroom environment.
The good news is that by easily incorporating some breathing exercises, mindfulness practice, and simple stress-reducing happy poses, kids will become more focused and attentive and will develop greater empathy toward one another. Yoga may help create that classroom environment that we all want for children.
Yoga for kids is becoming more common in schools and a few moments each day can help kids achieve the benefits that yoga provides. Children need active brain breaks throughout the day to learn best.
Work with a partner or small group to practice partner poses and achieve a goal together You can find many partner ideas and illustrations here.
Introduce a new yoga pose each week. Make it fun! For example, pick a certain word such as your school’s name. When you say that word everyone will stop what they are doing and hold that pose. Find yoga poses and ideas here with The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards
Count by fives and 10s while holding a balance pose.
Take a One Minute Vacation and allow students to shut their eyes, breathe, and visualize themselves in their favorite place.
Want more ideas on how to use yoga at school day? Yoga Lessons for Childrenincludes games, ways to reduce stress, yoga poses, and great read-aloud books with complete lesson plans.
I just love the fresh start feeling of a new school year. As a teacher and a parent myself, I understand that we want our children to be in a collaborative, creative, calm and supported classroom environment.
