Archive for Free Kids Yoga Poses
Mindfulness
Let’s take a look at a theme today and use it in our every day lives. The theme today is, “What is your default when things get a little uncomfortable?” This can apply to yoga practice and life (off the mat). Do you flee, distract or indulge yourself, become angry, have fear? How do we know what our default is? Being mindful and learning to become an observer instead of a participant.
What is it that you are avoiding? The way we handle difficult things can be an opportunity for growth and can enlighten us about ourselves. Are we avoiding growth. What would happen if we embraced the growth and looked at the challenge straight in the face? Points to ponder for sure.
This concept can be helpful when instructing kids yoga. If they are acting crazy or distracted during certain poses that may be difficult for them, this may be their default behavior. This can be pointed out to them so that they become aware of their tendencies.
Remember that yoga is all about awareness. It requires focus on the breath, the body, the mind, and the spirit. Sometimes when we get uncomfortable we forget where we are and what we are doing and give in to our emotions, when it is best to step back and evaluate them. Practicing yoga and finding your breath is a great way to step outside of yourself and see things from another perspective, offering us enlightenment. Children are highly intuitive and have the ability to do this as well; even with their ever changing emotions. They just need to be guided in the right direction and taught how to recognize these emotions and perspectives, and how to deal with them in a positive and healthy way to prepare for the life ahead of them; where there will constantly be twists and turns and new challenges for them to conquer.
A great pose for recognizing your inner emotions and taking a step back is yogic sleep, which is in our ABC Yoga Cards for Kids Deck. Share your experiences and thoughts as well. We would love to hear them!
Quiet Pose
Holidays can be hectic and have you running around causing your stress levels to increase. It’s important to remember to take time out for yourself every day to inhale and exhale. Don’t forget to give your body and spirit healing time. Self regulation should be practiced on a regular basis and it is easy to forget to take care of ourselves around this time of year. Don’t derail and jump on the band wagon of Glutinous behavior. Sometimes we get caught up into gorging ourselves with food, spending frivolous amounts of money, and becoming materialistic. Take some time to be humble and accept humility and pull into yourself during these hectic times with quiet pose. This is the time for receiving so let your body receive.
Arch like a Cat and Claw at the Mat for Goulishly Fun Yoga
Cat pose is the perrrfect yoga pose for Halloween. Get on all 4′s and close all of your creeeky doors for a deep stretch before Trick or Treating fun found in the ABC Yoga Cards for Kids!
Sun Salutations can add Focus to School Mornings
Doing sun salutations in the morning with your kids can give an energized jump start to your child’s morning. It helps to get the blood flow going in the body to promote brain activity, boost metabolism and helps stretch muscles and channels energy to prepare them to learn. Try the sun salutation card found in the ABC Yoga Cards for Kids for further instructions and a visual cue.
