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Storytime Yoga: Kids Love It and You Will, Too

A Learning Circle:

Amanda Agosta, James Cundari, Donna Geidel, Cindi Shannon, CaroleAnne Weik

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Yoga Is…..

  • To “yoke” “unite” “be whole”
  • The connection between the body, mind, and spirit
  • Adaptable to almost any level of physical or development ability
  • A gentle – non-competitive form of exercise that all can enjoy

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Yoga is not….

  • A religion

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Benefits of Yoga

  • Assists in neuromuscular-development
  • Promotes motor planning
  • Encourages midline crossing motions
  • Develops a strong and flexible body
  • Increases balance and body awareness
  • Improves posture and alignment
  • Reduces injuries and improves performance
  • Strengthens the immune system
  • Relaxes the body and promotes better sleep

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Benefits of the Mind

  • Calms and clears the mind
  • Awareness of the present moment
  • Relieves tension and stress
  • Increases concentration, focus, and attention span
  • Promotes thinking and memory
  • Stimulates auditory processing responsiveness
  • Expands imagination and creativity
  • Reduces anxiety
  • Balances energy – either high or low

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Benefits to the Brain

  • Builds confidence and self-esteem
  • Supports characters development and emotional intelligence
  • Enhances team skills and social interaction
  • Develops discipline and self-control
  • Supports individuality and self-expression
  • Encourages social and environmental awareness
  • Inspires respect for self and others

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Yoga does….

  • Improves mind and body connection
  • Encourages and fit and healthy lifestyle
  • Promotes an overall sense of well-being

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What do you need?

  • Adult yoga may need mats, and blocks, and bolsters but for children

You will need

  • A child
  • A little space
  • Imagination and a sprinkle of creativity
  • Props you probably already have
  • Yoga mats are helpful but not essential
  • Yoga dots or carpet squares can work

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Balanced Yoga Approach

  • Focus on breathing
  • Yoga is not just poses – it includes what’s happening all along the way
  • Yoga looks different for each students
  • Yoga is not about how we look on the outside but how feel on the inside

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Yoga in the classroom

  • Add a creative twist to the familiar yoga practices
  • Keep poses and games short – 30 seconds to a minute
  • Uses themes or stories to link the poses (A trip to the garden can inspire many adapted poses)
  • Alternate periods of quiet with action – students can move, makes noises and be silly and then come back to quiet
  • Provide a structure – repeat a beginning and an ending pose for each session
  • Leave room for mistakes, self-expression and creativity
  • Be safe and don’t do poses that are advanced – headstands are a NO

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Polar Bear – Polar Bear What do you hear?

  • I hear a lion roaring in my ear (extended child’s pose)
  • Lion Lion what do you hear? (Lion breath with a plank pose)
  • Hippopatamus, hippopotamus what do you hear? (Cow Pose arch your back)
  • Just some examples

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Yoga in the classroom

  • Breathe – try it and be creative
  • So many resources online and in the building – Just ask.
  • Practice at home, you don’t have to be perfect
  • NAMASTE!

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