Yoga for Kids
Yoga is such a huge GIFT in my life—it increases my flexibility and my strength while also helping me clear my head (and it's always a sure-fire way to get out of any funky mood). I love sharing my practice with my little ones and introducing them to the many benefits of yoga. I highly encourage anyone looking for a workout buddy to get flowin' with their kiddies!
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Here are some of my favorite moves to do with Kai and Leo, as well as mantras to breathe during the poses.
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Bridge Pose:
1) "I am relaxed and connected."
Lie on your back with your knees bent.
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2) "I lift and lengthen."
Curl your spine up, pressing down into your arms.
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3) "I arch up to the sky."
Arch your back as much as you can.
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4) "I am a strong bridge."
Join your hands together and press down to arch up higher.
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For your older kids, talk about how bridges connect one place to another. Ask what they need to connect to, what bridges they have crossed, and what bridges need to be built.
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River Pose:
1) "I am long and fluid."
Sit tall with your legs out in front of you.
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2) "I breathe and flow."
Press your hands down and lengthen your back.
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3) "I am a water current."
Reach your hands to your feet. Hold your toes.
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4) "I am a deep river."
Stretch your chest over your legs. Then bend your knees and lengthen your spine before you flow forward. With gentleness, fold a little further each time you breathe out. As you hold the pose, imagine you are in warm water and let yourself melt.
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Plank Pose:
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1) "I align myself
—body, breath, and mind."
Kneel on your hands and knees.
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2) "I am strong in my core."
Shift your hands and body forward, with your chest and eyes lifted.
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3) "I make my body straight."
Lower your hips so that your body is a straight line.
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4) "I am a solid plank."
Curl your toes under, lift with your belly, and straighten you legs.
Talk to your kiddies about how planks are useful in life. Name some of the many things made out of planks. Build up you and your kids' strength by holding the pose for a little longer every day.
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Boat Pose:
1. "I sit tall and hug myself."
Hug your knees, with your feet on the ground.
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2) "I lean back."
Put your arms behind your back with your toes pointed.
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3) "I am strong enough to leave the land."
Lift up your legs.
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4) "I float on the water."
Stretch out your arms and balance.
In boat pose, feel and engage your core
—right in your belly. When you think you can't keep holding the pose, stay for two more breaths, and see what happens.
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Twisting Dragon:
1) "I am a clever dragon."
Stand on your knees, with your hands at your sides.
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2) "I am fierce and brave."
Lunge the right leg forward and press the back leg down.
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3) "I twist like a spiral."
Twist your upper body, bringing your left elbow over your thigh.
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4) "I open my wings and let myself fly."
Lower your left hand to the floor, and stretch your right arm up.
Can you twist and still breathe? Don't feel the need to force anything.
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For your older kids, as they twist, tell them to let go of everything that weighs them down. Ask them how much lighter they feel!
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Lying Twist Pose:
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1) "I am relaxed."
Lie on your back, with your knees bent.
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2) "I give myself a hug." hug."
Hug your knees to your chest.
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3) "I exhale and twist."
Stretch out your arms, and lower your legs to the right.
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4) "I breathe and lengthen."
Turn your head to the left to deepen the stretch. As you twist, see how slowly you can lower your knees, keeping them together. To deepen the twist, shift your hips sideways and bring your knees closer to your elbow. Enjoy the stretch and let go!
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We'd love to see pics of you and your little ones flowin' it all out—share them with us on Instagram and be sure to tag #myphilosophie and #yogawithkids!
2 comments
Thanks, Lee! I LOVE that you’re focusing on Kids Yoga—we need more people like you :) I just introduced Kai to his first power yoga class this week!
With gratitude,
Sophie
I love these affirmations with the poses. I’m just completing my yoga teacher certification program and will focus on Kids Yoga.
Thanks,
Lee