Therapists' Corner

Welcome to the exciting world of kids' yoga, where little ones can embark on a journey of self-discovery, health, and happiness. Yoga offers a world of therapeutic wonders for children of all abilities. Beyond physical benefits like improved flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination, yoga plays a vital role in emotional and cognitive development. Yoga helps children with sensory integration challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, and enhanced body awareness. Through mindfulness practices, deep breathing, and relaxation techniques, yoga becomes a powerful tool for reducing anxiety and stress.

Below is a fun compiled list of yoga poses for kids, neatly organized into categories to help you find the perfect poses for every situation. These yoga exercises offer numerous physical and mental benefits to support their overall well-being. 

Calming Poses:

1. Child's Pose: This gentle resting pose helps kids relax and soothe their minds after a busy day. As they kneel and reach forward, their back and hips will feel a gentle stretch, fostering a sense of tranquility.

2. Cat-Cow Pose: By flowing between the arching of their back like a cat and the cow's gentle curve, children can coordinate breath with movement, promoting a sense of calmness.

3. Butterfly Pose: In this pose, kids flap their "butterfly wings" (legs) as they relax their hips and inner thighs, immersing themselves in a peaceful and meditative state.

4. Standing Forward Bend: As children gently fold forward, they'll feel a pleasant stretch in their hamstrings. This pose is excellent for calming the mind and relaxing the body.

Energizing Poses:

1. Sun Salutation: This energizing sequence combines various poses to kickstart the day with enthusiasm and vitality. Let kids welcome the sun as they flow through this series of movements.

2. Tree Pose: By balancing on one leg and rooting the other foot on the standing leg, children can improve their focus and balance, making them feel more energized.

3. Warrior Pose: As kids stretch their arms and legs wide in this strong pose, they gain a sense of power and stability, boosting their energy and confidence.

4. Downward-Facing Dog: In this invigorating pose, children stretch their entire body and enjoy an increase in circulation, leaving them refreshed and ready for action.

Brain-Boosting Poses:

1. Cross-Crawl (Marching or Crawling): Have kids engage in activities that involve crawling or marching, as it activates both sides of the brain and enhances coordination.

2. Eagle Pose: This challenging balancing pose requires focus and concentration, which is excellent for boosting cognitive abilities.

3. Dolphin Pose: By building strength in their upper body, children can improve their ability to concentrate and stay alert.

4. Warrior III Pose: Encourage kids to channel their inner warrior as they practice this balancing pose, which enhances focus, balance, and coordination.

Relaxing Poses:

1. Corpse Pose: This ultimate relaxation pose allows children to lie down comfortably, release tension, and calm their minds and bodies.

2. Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose: This pose helps kids relax their legs, promoting a sense of serenity and better sleep.

3. Seated Forward Bend: As children stretch their backs and hamstrings in this seated pose, they'll find relaxation and ease.

4. Happy Baby Pose: A playful and relaxing pose that releases tension in the hips and lower back, leaving kids feeling joyful and content.

Stress-Relieving Poses:

1. Bridge Pose: In this heart-opening pose, kids can release tension in their backs and chests, helping to alleviate stress.

2. Thread the Needle Pose: By threading one arm under the other while lying on their side, children can release tension in their shoulders and upper back.

3. Camel Pose: This pose opens the chest and helps relieve stress and anxiety, leaving kids feeling more at ease.

4. Puppy Pose: By stretching the arms forward and the chest down to the ground, kids can experience a calming and stress-relieving effect.

Partner Poses:

1. Double Down Dog: Stand facing each other, about an arm's length apart. Both partners come into the Downward-Facing Dog pose with hands shoulder-width apart. Walk your feet closer to your partner's feet, and gently push against each other's hands, creating a fun and playful resistance.

2. Partner Boat Pose: Sit facing each other with your knees bent and feet touching. Hold hands and lean back while lifting your feet off the ground. Balancing together, extend your legs outward, creating a "V" shape with your bodies. This pose encourages teamwork and core strength.

3. Flying Warrior: Partner up and stand side by side, facing the same direction. Hold each other's outside hand. As one partner steps forward into a Warrior I pose, the other partner leans back and extends their outside leg into a Flying Warrior pose. Swap roles and repeat on the other side. This pose develops balance and coordination.

4. Seated Twist & High-Five: Sit facing each other with your legs crossed. Place one hand on your knee and the other hand on your partner's hand. Gently twist in opposite directions, feeling the stretch along your spine. When you're fully twisted, give each other a high-five! This pose promotes flexibility and fun.

More Poses for Fun and Engagement:

1. Snake Pose: Kids can pretend to be hissing snakes as they stretch their backs and imagine slithering through the grass.

2. Boat Pose: Imagining they are on a boat, kids can engage their core as they pretend to row across the ocean.

3. Butterfly Flaps: While sitting in Butterfly Pose, kids can flap their "butterfly wings" (arms) and experience the joy of fluttering.

4. Rock and Roll: Kids can have fun rolling back and forth on their backs while holding onto their feet, just like a playful rocking motion.

Looking for more yoga resources or activities to try out?  Check out our yoga resources for games, activity cards, yoga dice and more!

Yoga for kids is an enriching and rewarding experience, providing them with a sense of balance, mindfulness, and physical well-being. So, gather your little yogis and embark on this delightful journey of exploration, relaxation, and fun!

More articles you might enjoy:

Breathing Exercises for Children: A Guide to Promote Calmness and Well-being

25 Soothing Sensory Tools That Can Help Alleviate Anxiety

Activities That Can Decrease Anxiety and Help Children Cope