Start with a few minutes of connecting with the breath. For example, encourage the children to pull the belly in on each inhale and push it out on each exhale, and then reverse the movements and push the belly out on the inhale and pull it in on the exhale.
Don’t ask children to hold poses for more than a breath. Even the most attentive children have short attention spans.
Don’t correct. Let children modify the poses in their own ways. The important part is to get them stretching and moving.
Finish a kids yoga session with a few minutes of relaxation. Relaxation is as important for kids as it is for adults. Encourage children to lie on their backs and use relaxing music or remind them about belly breathing to help them unwind at the end of the session. If you want to encourage deeper relaxation, try a visualization exercise with children, such as taking them on an imaginary walk through the woods or along the beach.
Here are a couple of yoga positions that you can do with your children.
The Leaf
Sit with spine straight, soles of feet together, hands on ankles.
Gently round spine and then return to sitting straight.
The Cricket
Sit with spine straight, soles of feet together, or sit cross-legged, hands on ankles.
Head and eyes look forward, and then up, then forward. Next, lean right ear to right shoulder.
Straighten head and lean left ear to left shoulder, and then straighten head.
The Lion
Sit on your legs with knees bent. Stick your tongue out as far as you can. Breath out with force while roaring like a lion. Do this several times.
The Butterfly
Start by sitting on the floor with the soles of your feet touching. Sit up tall and hold your feet. Now gently “flap” your legs up and down as if you are a butterfly.
The Seal
Sit with legs stretched wide apart, spine straight. Turn your body to face one leg. Reach down to hold onto leg with both hands and slowly lean forward, holding for about 4 seconds. Repeat with the other leg. Next, sit up facing forward, hold onto both legs, round back, and gently lean forward between legs, while looking towards the floor.
The Camel
Sit on your knees. Reach behind your body and grab the soles of your feet if you can. If you need to grab your ankles or lean on your calves that is fine. Now decide what type of sound a camel makes.
The Cat
Get on all fours. Then arch your back up really tall, as if you were an angry cat. Gently let your back fall into a sway, then arch it back up again. Mewing and hissing are encouraged.
The Cobra
Lay down on your stomach. Place your hands directly by your chest. Push your upper body upward as far as you can. Now pretend that you are a cobra and hiss!
Sitting Meditation
Sit cross-legged, with a straight back, and face forward. Clasp your hands and let them rest in your lap. Close your eyes. Breathe in and out. To finish, take a final deep breath and then slowly let it out. Now open your eyes and stand up.
Now you are finished. Hope you enjoyed your session.
