by sara | Jul 10, 2016 | Kids Yoga Lesson Plan
Who is excited for the Summer Olympics:
What is your favorite Summer Olympics event?
I have always enjoyed watching gymnastics. Seeing the athletes twist, turn, and defy gravity was thrilling. I was so enthralled with those gymnasts achieving that “perfect 10” score. Who wouldn’t remember Mary Lou Retton?!
Now years and life experiences later, I truly appreciate all endurance sports. Participating in triathlons, marathons, and swimming events has given me perspective. Training and competing in high-level events is really a body and mind connection…for every sport!
Kids often have the dream of making it to the Olympics. I love their confidence that they can do anything. That vision is a precious time period in kids’ lives and now they can experience an Olympian feel!
Go Go Yoga for Kids wants kids to have fun getting focused and fit! With our Go Go Yoga for Kids Summer Olympics plan, they will become swimmers, archers, and equestrians while strengthening their mind and body.
Get your free Go Go Yoga for Kids Summer Olympics Guide! Let’s go for the Gold!
by sara | Jun 20, 2016 | Kids Yoga Lesson Plan
Go Go Yoga for Kids is passionate about getting you equipped with how to introduce and teach yoga for kids!
You don’t need to have a kids yoga certification or hours and hours of training and research. If you have a heart for kids and yoga, then you can definitely positive influence and make a difference in kids’ lives through yoga. The benefits for the kids (and you!) are life-long!
More good news for kids and yoga is the research on the benefits of yoga and children keep pouring in. Yoga for kids is on the move. Don’t miss it!
Our bestselling guides Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga with Kids and Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children will take you step by step in planning and implementing fabulous lesson plans and ideas to get kids excited about yoga.
If you are interested in Kids Yoga Online Training, check out our online How to Teach Yoga to Kids Courses here. Use code TEACHER here to enroll for only $10.
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 20, 2016 | Benefits, Mindfulness
Yoga for kids is on the rise! According to a recent study by NBC NEWS, more adults and children are practicing yoga and meditation. That is good news for our future in so many ways. Read about the benefits of yoga for kids.
1. Increases Flexibility and Strength
Picture a toddler and all of the flexibility they have to bend, squat, and move in all sorts of positions that adults suddenly sometimes find themselves unable to do. Children are naturally flexible, but somewhere around ages of 6 or 7, their flexibility begins to diminish. The good news is that practicing yoga will help you maintain flexibility. Yoga also builds strength as muscles are worked in new ways. Whether a pose is done standing, sitting, or lying down each pose has its own benefits and can challenge various muscle groups. Being flexible also allows fewer and less severe injuries. That is good news for kids involved in many activities outside of school.
2. Improves Balance
Similar to flexibility, balance is another skill that decreases as we age. Everything from navigating icy sidewalks in winter to holding a tree pose benefits balance skills. Balance can be improved with practice and many yoga poses and postures incorporate different elements of balance. Your body’s balance naturally improves while practicing yoga without realizing it. As children work to improve their balance in poses, they are filled with self-confidence and can almost feel their bodies getting stronger as they hold these poses.
3. Enhances Concentration and Focus
Kids are part of a rapidly changing world with young minds easily overstimulated with technology and electronics. They are used to getting immediate feedback with their video games, tablets, and phones. This can make it very difficult for children to actually sit, focus, and complete a task in school. Yoga helps children to practice concentration and self-control which then enhances their focus and awareness.
4. Practice Being Present and Mindful
As parents and kids rush from activity to activity, it is difficult to be still and appreciate the moment that we are in. It doesn’t start like this for kids — think of a preschooler noticing the shape of a leaf or color of the sky as they dawdle home from the park.
Sadly many kids become accustomed to a faster pace lifestyle until they suddenly do not know any different way. There is much benefit to slowing down, unplugging, and being away from it all for a bit. Good kids yoga classes can provide that. They begin with settling into the moment and focusing on their breath and body. Kids can practice engaging poses with games and end with a savasana or quiet time. The end of class usually becomes the students’ favorite part while they lie still and “do nothing”. They know they worked their body hard and this is a time to give back, be still, and reap the benefits of strengthening their body. Being involved in a yoga class keeps the kids present, aware, and in the moment. Learn more about the proven benefits of yoga for adults and children.
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by sara | May 6, 2016 | Benefits, Breathing Exercises, Kids Yoga Lesson Plan, Yoga Poses
I love how yoga is something that you can actually do with your child as opposed to being a spectator to. Sports and activities such as soccer games, dance competitions, piano recitals are all fun to be an audience to, but I love how easy it is to do a few yoga children poses with your kids.
Yoga can be done anywhere. Take it outside, try it on the trampoline, or in the rain! Just use your imagination. Laugh and have fun. Enthusiasm is contagious. This is something that they will definitely remember doing together with you.
8 Ways to Do Yoga At Home With Your Kids
1. Use Props
No need for formal yoga mats. Grab some beach towels to lay out and sit on. Kids love having their own space and gives them a great nonverbal boundary. Include your child’s favorite stuffed animal and have it participate in balance exercises and to snuggle with during savasana. We love playing Toega with pom pom balls.
Here are a few more Kids Yoga Teacher Favorite Props to use with kids.
2. Partner Up:
There are many yoga poses that be done with adults and children. Some of my favorite parent-child poses are partner tree and see-saw. See more all-time favorite partner poses here.
3. Pick a Card:
Using the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards at home gives your kids the opportunity to choose poses they want to practice and provides a good visual. Let them pick 5-10 yoga pose cards and then practice them with games and challenges.
4. Use a Story:
This is one of my favorite ways to practice yoga with kids. I love reading aloud to my kids anyway so this is two birds with one stone; the benefits of reading aloud AND practicing yoga. Animal stories work well. When you get to a part about a particular animal such as snake, cat, horse, or bug then pause to do the corresponding yoga children poses. This is so much fun! See some of our favorite read-aloud books.
5. Just Breathe:
Doing yoga at home doesn’t need to be a full-blown class with all yoga poses and balance. During a stressful or 
frustrating time, remind your child to use their breath. Children become more aware of their breath as they practice. Do not expect them to breathe deeply with focus during the first few times. This will come with practice and time. Here are some favorite breathing and exercises that really work with kids.
6. Keep it Simple:
It can be fun to use a theme and choose poses that correspond but it is not required. You can choose a certain skill to practice such as balance or mindfulness. A few moments a day can go a long way in making a difference. Find out more Secrets to Teaching Yoga to Children.
Have Fun:
Your child should feel like yoga is play and not work. Get down on the floor with them and be playful. Be in the 
moment! They will love it! Kids yoga is very different from adult yoga so understand they will not have the same attention span.
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