When kids come to their first yoga class, I often ask them what they know or have heard about yoga. There are always a few who immediately sit on their mat cross legged, place their middle fingers and thumbs together, shut their eyes and let out a deep, “ommmmmm.” This is how many kids (and adults!) view yoga. They see it as a serious meditative process that deeply awakens the inner spirit.
I do believe that perception is changing throughout our society, and people are realizing that yoga is so much more. Yes, yoga is mindful and meditative, but it is also active, involved and encompasses not only the mind, but definitely the whole body.
Thank you for stopping by Go Go Yoga Kids! Visit us again and continue learning how easy it is to get children engaged and involved. Yoga teaches lifelong skills that are beneficial to instill in all growing kids! See you again soon!
One of my favorite things to do is to develop creative new yoga games out of classic favorites. Kids love this as it gives them the opportunity to play a game that they are already familiar with and can learn and practice yoga poses, while working together, and having lots of fun.
“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.
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!
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.
You, your breath, and your yoga mat. Is that all you need for yoga?! Unlike other sports and activities, there are very few materials that your child really needs to practice and have fun with yoga.
Do kids really need kid yoga mats? Not necessarily, but they definitely do help kids feel like they are “officially doing yoga.”
Give Kids Their Own Space
It is, important to give kids their own space while practicing yoga
They thrive on having their own area to move, bend and explore.
Having their own space helps give them confidence in practicing their poses and gives them a perimeter in which to work in.
“Having their own space is” especially wonderful for younger ages or children with special needs.
Where to Find Kids Yoga Mats
You don’t need, to spend too much on yoga mats for kids and they definitely do not need the full adult-sized yoga mats. Those can be too big, bulky, and harder for kids to handle.
You can find discounted yoga mats online. My favorite place is YogaOutlet.com
Yoga Outlet has a Mat Roll if you are going to need several yoga mats for a yoga-themed party and for camps or classes.
A Mat Roll is an easy way to get several perfectly sized kid yoga mats!
Mat Rolls are wonderful because you can individually cut them into 15-18 kid-sized mats. Remember kids are smaller than adults so they do not have to be as long! You can also choose the thickness of the kid yoga mats.
Here we are having a little fun before cutting our yoga mat roll to create yoga mats for kids.
I have also had success with using beach towels for preschool classes, outdoor yoga classes, and birthday parties. Just be careful not to use those on slippery floor surfaces!
No matter what you use, it is fun to just be able to take your yoga to go- anywhere! It is fun to encourage them to take their mats on the go- outside in the backyard, park or to the beach! Just have fun with yoga!
When kids come to their first yoga class, I often ask them what they know or have heard about yoga. There are always a few who immediately sit on their mat cross legged, place their middle fingers and thumbs together, shut their eyes and let out a deep, “ommmmmm.” This is how many kids (and adults!) view yoga. They see it as a serious meditative process that deeply awakens the inner spirit.
earning about yoga and having fun!
GROUP YOGA CHALLENGE:
