You can incorporate exercise into a child's daily routine by teaching them these simple yoga poses. Yoga is fun for both children and adults. You'll create a bond through exploring yoga. It will introduce exercise to children in a fun, positive way. Your kids probably don't get yoga in their P.E. class!
Instructions
1. Instruct children to stand on a yoga mat. Tell children to get on their hands and knees like a cat. Instruct children to curve their backs like a cat and meow or hiss like a cat. Hold pose for ten seconds, and then tell children to release their back so their spines are straight. Repeat two to four times. Comparing the pose to the stance of their favorite pet is very encouraging.
2. Tell children to stay on their hands and feet. Tell them to arch their back (move their bellies towards the floor) and roar like a lion. Hold pose for ten seconds and then release their back so their spines are straight. Repeat two to four times.
3. Instruct children to sit on their mats in a cross legged position. Tell children to hold their arms over their heads with their palms together. Lean arms and body to right side as you tell children to say hello to the stars. Explain they are a shiny, silver moon and they are waving hello to the stars. Next, tell children to lean towards the left side and say hello to the stars again. As children release their arms to the side, instruct them to exhale deeply through their mouths like a strong wind. Repeat two to four times on each side.
4. Teach children to stand on their mats. Tell them to stand tall and straight in Mountain Pose with their hands at their side. Tell kids to imagine that their feet are growing roots into the Earth. Tell them the roots help to plant them firmly into the ground and help them with their balance. Imagine their body is like a tall mountain standing tall and straight.Tell children to inhale and exhale slowly through their nostrils like a soft, gentle breeze. Tell them to clear their minds and look straight ahead and to keep their bodies still and straight. Hold pose for ten seconds.
5. Instruct children to hold their feet hip-width distance apart. Tell them to slowly bend their knees and as they bend down and squat tell them to pretend they are scooping up flowers off the ground. As they rise from the squat and stand tall, tell them to spread their arms out to their sides and release the flowers to the wind. Repeat two to four times.
6. Teach children to lie quietly on their mats on their backs and close their eyes. Turn on the soothing music CD. Tell children to listen to the peaceful music, and think about a happy thought. Tell them to imagine they are softly floating on a cloud, and instruct them to relax their minds and bodies. Lie quietly in relaxation pose for two minutes.
7. Teach children to bow and say "Namaste" at the end of each yoga practice. Explain that "Namaste" (pronounced nah-mah-stay) is a way of honoring themselves and you, as the teacher.
Tags: four times, Instruct children, Repeat four, Repeat four times, hello stars, Hold pose, Hold pose seconds