How to Create Kid Practice Yoga

Creating a kid's yoga practice is not only invigorating and fun, but is challenging. Yoga programs can be designed for any age group and population. From special needs to healthy children, yoga benefits kids mentally and physically. Building confidence, intellect and flexibility, yoga aids in a child's cognitive and physical growth. The instructor should teach an exciting class that uses humor and smiles. Since yoga utilizes poses that relate to nature and animals, instructors should encourage students to apply their imitative imagination.

Things You'll Need

  • Yoga mats
  • Yoga straps
  • Yoga blocks
  • Music player
  • Music
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Instructions

  1. Creating the Program

    • 1

      Use postures that relate to nature, animals and objects that children can replicate. Popular poses include tree, dancers, warrior, triangle, downward and upward facing dog, cobra and cat and cow.

    • 2

      Create the program to last approximately 20 to 30 minutes including breathing, postures and the final relaxation.

    • 3

      Choose music that is appropriate for kids' yoga.

    Instructing

    • 4

      Introduce the participants to each other to create a welcoming and fun atmosphere.

    • 5

      Instruct the class to begin with some breathing exercises to make children aware of the breath, lungs and body.

    • 6

      Hold poses for three breaths or approximately 20 to 30 seconds for children over 6 years of age. Due to short attention spans, children under 6 years old may require only 10 to 20 seconds.

    • 7

      Encourage the students to replicate the animal or object in the pose as well as with the voice. In cobra pose children can "hiss" to imagine that they are a snake.

    • 8

      Demonstrate the poses with the children as a visual aid rather than only verbally instructing.

    • 9

      Add variety within the class including standing, sitting and balance postures if the students become anxious. Instructors can incorporate partner poses for more variety.

    • 10

      Compliment the children on a job well done at the completion of the class.