Reinforcing Kids Yoga at H”om”e

Let them be kids. Don't expect yoga for kids to be the same as the yoga you practice in class. I always tell parents, that kids yoga is the counter-pose to adult yoga.  It is not serious and quiet, it is meant to be lively and fun.  You have to take a different approach with children, one that is age appropriate.  Poses are adapted for growing minds and bodies that are still developing (kids lungs are not fully developed until age 8, so breathing is approached in a kid-friendly and safe manner).

Use the poses as an introduction to yoga and creative movement. Children of all ages enjoy becoming the yoga and animal poses, noises and all.  Kids yoga should be engaging and interactive, with quiet time at the end for final relaxation.    

Use sound & questions to encourage interaction. Hissing like a snake in cobra pose, or roaring like a lion in lion pose aren't the only ways you can do this. Encourage the child to count while holding an asana, or recite the ABCs. This will enable the child to reap the benefits of maintaining the poses, while improving focus, strength, and balance.

Play Yoga, Imagine, & Strike a Pose.  Take a yoga journey as you present class themes each week or time that you practice.  Incorporate dramatic play, props, stories, arts/crafts etc. to reinforce and bring your subject matter to life.  Use as many of the senses as possible.  Let your child create poses and make-up new adventures.

Let go of your agendas and expectations. Think of your role not so much as a teacher, but as a facilitator. Let your child set the pace. Some days your child will be more engaged than others, and that’s okay (just as adult practices vary).  The importance is in enjoying the journey!

Do the best you can do today. Yoga isn’t perfect, and neither are we.  Allow your child to listen to their body and do their personal best.  Parents especially, with the best of motives, want their children to excel and improve. But this competitive spirit is at odds with the basic yoga philosophy of non-competition. Undoubtedly the child gets enough competition in his or her daily life, through sports, academics, and social peer pressure.  Give your child the space to bend, breathe, and just be.  This freedom will build self-confidence, and allow your time together on the mat to be a time of special bonding, free from judging.  Don’t force or push yoga on your child.

Make the yoga special. Buy your child their own yoga mat, or have them pick it out themselves.  Children can also paint or stencil their mat to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Relax and Be Still. Have your child lie on her mat in savasana (corpse pose).  Put a washcloth or eye-pillow over her eyes, and a stuffed animal on her belly for focused relaxed breathing.  Stroke her cheek or gently massage her legs/feet and hands in a press/pull motion.  Aim for 2-5 minutes of total silence and relaxation.  This will progress and you practice.

Attend a kid’s yoga class. Kids yoga classes are becoming mainstream, so attend a local class to get ideas and observe how your child interacts/participates in a structured class environment.  Classes provide a social and safe place for kids to share the gift of yoga.  Many instructors offer Mom & Baby, Mom & Tot, kids yoga, and family yoga classes.  Make sure your instructor is certified to teach kids yoga.