Sara J. Weis's Blog: Go Go Yoga Kids: Empower Kids for Life Through Yoga, page 11

What Savasana Looks Like in for Kids in Yoga: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

Welcome to our Go Go Yoga for Kids: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Free Training! Throughout this training, we have learned how to put together engaging, successful, fun, and memorable kids yoga classes. Now we will answer what is savasana.

Get all caught up here with the

Most Important Parts Every Kids Yoga Class Needs:

Video 1: How to Plan Your Kids Yoga Class

Video 2: The Welcome

Video 3: Breathing Exercises

Video 4: Sun Salutations

Video 5: Active Movement

Video 6: Themed Yoga Poses

Video 7: The Yoga Challenge

Video 8: Building Community comes toward the end of your kids yoga class. Everyone has had fun, learned a lot, and now it is time to bring the energy level down a little.

Stillness & Savasana

Miss Sara, I can’t wait to do the “sleeping pose” again!” That is what I hear time and time again at the end of our Kids Yoga Classes.

Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children

The children begin class so eager, excited, and full of energy. After moving and working their bodies in such good and healthy ways, they are truly ready for rest and relaxation. I tell my students that their bodies deserve this rest and that taking this time helps them repair and build the muscles they just worked.

Please do not get the idea that I simply call out, “Everyone get into Savasana,” and that the kids readily roll onto their backs, shut their eyes, as they go into deep stillness. Instead, slowly get kids into Savasana.

Savasana comes at the end of your class after you have practiced breathing exercises, learned yoga poses, played yoga games, practiced balance, built community with one another, and are now ready for a bit of stillness, relaxation, and time for some mindfulness.

Yoga is about movement and poses and postures but it is also about being still and quiet and mindful in savasana. This is such an important skill to learn in our busy lives and especially a wonderful one to model with children

Here are a few ways to help promote stillness and mindfulness with kids.

Change the Mood

I like to begin to speak in quieter tones and if possible turn the lights down lower. It’s also easy to play calming music or nature sounds. This change in their surroundings signals to children that a change is coming. As you build this into the class flow, children begin to recognize the signs and signals leading to Savasana.

Be a Melting Ice Cube

As Stillness & Savasna follows our Building Community component of class we are already seated in a circle. I like to challenge the kids to lie down as slowly as they can as if they are an ice cube melting into the ground. When they get down to the ground have them stretch out as long as they can with their toes pointed and their arms up overhead. See how long they can get by taking deep breaths.

Squeeze and Relax

While kids are lying down on their yoga mats preparing for savasana, I’ll sometimes have them squeeze a body part as hard as they can. Let’s say they squeeze their hands for a few seconds and then they relax it. Or also squeeze their shoulders up by their ears and then relax it. They’re actually able to physically feel the difference their body makes from holding it so tight and then relaxing.

Use Memorable Phrases

I challenge the children to stretch as “long as a pencil” or have them be “as still as a statue” or “as quiet as a mouse.” This gives the children a mental picture of how to pose and act.

Be Comfortable

I allow the children to lay however they feel comfortable. It could be on their backs, on their stomachs, curled up into a ball, but have a realistic expectation for how long the kids can lie still. 15 to 30 seconds is good for the preschool ages while older children can stay longer. The more they get used to Stillness and Savasana at the end of class, the longer they can stay still.

Bring Them Out Slowly

When it’s time to come out of this relaxation, I like to ask them to roll over on their side and use their arm as a pillow. Then they sit up and you can quietly lead them through a couple of big, deep, cleansing breaths while bringing arms up overhead, breathing in, and breathing out and placing your hands at heart center. We’ll do that a couple of times.

Be Encouraging

I like to give a few positive closing words that unite the class and set their path for the remainder of the day or the week. I also like to thank them for coming to yoga, taking care of their bodies, working together, and having fun.

You May Also Enjoy:

Kids Yoga Teacher Favorite Props and Resources

This Changed Everything in My Kids Yoga Classes

How to Play the Opposite Yoga Game

The post What Savasana Looks Like in for Kids in Yoga: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.

Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Games & Activities for Children

150+ Fun Yoga Games, Activities, Poses, & Challenges for Successfully Teaching Yoga to Children.

Are you ready to be a part of something exciting? Our newest book Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Games & Activities: 150+ Fun Yoga Games, Activities, Poses, & Challenges for Successfully Teaching Yoga to Children is in the final editing and publishing process!

I cannot wait for you to get your hands on this book. You are going to love it! It is exactly what I have heard from you about what you want and need more of for teaching kids yoga.

We are seeking creative and enthusiastic people who want to be part of something special with our Book Launch Team. Members will receive an advanced copy of Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Games & Activities, be invited to exclusive insider news and publishing decisions with our private Facebook group and receive discounts on yoga products.

Ready to be part of The Book Launch Team?

Apply Here!

More information and benefits to follow. We would love to have you be part of The Team!

The post Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Games & Activities for Children appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.

How to Build Community in Your Kids Yoga Class

Welcome to our Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Free Training! Throughout this training we have learned how to put together engaging, successful, fun, and memorable kids yoga classes. Now we will learn how to build community.

Get all caught up here with the Most Important Parts Every Kids Yoga Class Needs:

Video 1: How to Plan Your Kids Yoga Class

Video 2: The Welcome

Video 3: Breathing Exercises

Video 4: Sun Salutations

Video 5: Active Movement

Video 6: Themed Yoga Poses

Video 7: The Yoga Challenge

Building Community comes toward the end of your kids yoga class. Everyone has had fun, learned a lot, and now it is time to bring the energy level down a little.

How to Build Trust and Community in Your Kids Yoga Classes

As a teacher, I know that it can be tempting to skip or rush this portion of class if you are feeling short on time. I encourage you to really make time for this building community portion of class. It is a very important part for your students as well as for you, their teacher.

As you begin to bring your yoga class to a close, it is important
and beneficial to reflect on all that you have learned and accomplished during
class. It makes the students feel stronger and more united as a class.

This is personally one of my favorite parts of class as it ties everything
together. The children share what they have learned and what they have enjoyed.
I love hearing about their favorite parts and often times I am surprised. Many
times it is not what I think such as mastering a difficult pose, but instead it
might be how they felt or how they connected with another student and maybe
made a new friend.

Here are a few of our favorite ways to Build Community in your Kids Yoga Classes. Give them a try. They love it and it truly begins to bring your class to a close.

How to Create a Thunderstorm With Kids

Building Community by playing “Pass the Squeeze”

We have many more ways to Build Community in our bestselling book, Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga with Kids

You May Also Like:

Kids Yoga Teacher Favorite Props and Resources

This Changed Everything in My Kids Yoga Classes

How to Play the Opposite Yoga Game

The post How to Build Community in Your Kids Yoga Class appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.

Girls on the Run with Go Go Yoga for Kids

Join Go Go Yoga for Kids for a fun, energetic, and free Kids Yoga Class!

Go Go Yoga for Kids, Girls on the Run, and Athleta Girl all together to celebrate and encourage our young female athletes!

Go Go Yoga for Kids at Athleta Girl

Have fun with yoga, make your own trail mix, enjoy an educational lesson from Girls on the Run of Iowa, and leave with some goodies from Athleta!

When: February 8th, 8:30 AM

Where: Upper level of Jordan Creek Mall by Finish Line

What to Bring: A yoga mat and be ready for fun

Why: Celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day! We believe in the positive power of sports to help build girls’ confidence. Nothing should stand in the way of making your body and mind healthy and happy.

Find out More

You May Also Enjoy:

Fun in the Sun Kids Yoga Class at Athleta

5 Secrets to Teaching Yoga to Children

Live Partner Poses for Kids Class at Athleta

The post Girls on the Run with Go Go Yoga for Kids appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.

Kids Yoga Poses to Open Hearts and Minds

Try these five heart-opening yoga valentine poses with children this Valentine holiday. These heart-opening exercises are especially beneficial for kids and adults who spend the majority of their day slouched in desks at school and work or with their heads bent over screens and books.

These exercises take only minutes and will help improve posture and release back and neck tension as well as create openness in your body and mind.

All of these yoga poses can be found in our Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards that are available in our store and on Amazon.

Cat to Cow Pose: Begin on your hands and knees. Next round your back and tuck your chin into your chest as if you are a cat. Then look up, arch your back and open your chest into Cow Pose. This is a great way to strengthen your spine and begin to feel your heart opening.
Updog Pose: Lie on your tummy. Place the palms of your hands next to your shoulders and look up. Slowly straighten your arms and open your chest. It is okay to keep arms bent as well.

The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards available on Amazon include 40 Heart Opening Yoga Poses, Balance Poses, and Partner Poses.

Bridge or Wheel Pose: Kids love trying to get into Wheel Pose, but this huge heart opener is not easily accessible for all. For an easier but still effective heart opener, try Bridge Pose. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Rest your arms alongside your body, tuck your chin into your chest, and lift your back to create a bridge.
Camel Pose: Take this pose slowly and feel your heart open. Get on your knees, lean back slowly, and place your hands on your lower back or ankles. Tilt your head back, open your chest, and breathe.
Bow Pose: Lie on your tummy, bend your knees, and lift your chest. Reach your arms back toward your toes and hold onto your feet. Let your heart shine!

You May Also Like:

Celebrate Groundhog’s Day With Games and Yoga Poses

Kid Friendly Partner Yoga Poses

Free Random Acts of Kindness Bingo Game for Kids

The post Kids Yoga Poses to Open Hearts and Minds appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.

The Yoga Challenge: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

Welcome to the Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 series. I am glad that you are here. You can get all caught up with the videos below:

Why you need a Kids Yoga Lesson Plan before you even think about teaching yoga to children.

Part 1: The Welcome: How to engage your students right from the start.

Part 2: Breathing Exercises: Made Relevant and FUN for Children

Part 3: Sun Salutations Made Simple: Connect Movement with Breath

Part 4: The Importance of Active Movement: Get hearts pumping, build strength, and get wiggles out.

Part 5: Themed Yoga Poses

Part 6: Yoga Games for Kids

Now you are ready for Part 7 of the Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training:

The Kids Yoga Challenge!

Congratulations! Now you are well over halfway through with your yoga class. Your students have moved, breathed, learned a lot and had fun! Now it’s time for Part 7 of your Kids Yoga Class with The Yoga Challenge!

The Kids Yoga Challenge: Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Part 6

With the Yoga Challenge portion of your kids yoga class, your students will have the opportunity to work on a challenge by themselves or together with the group. Select one of the options below and spend 7-9 minutes having fun with the Yoga Challenge.

The Yoga Challenge Options:



1. Balance Poses:

Select a single balance yoga pose for the children to work on. This could be Airplane Pose, Dancer Pose, Tree Pose or may others. We like to use The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards to help provide a visual. When placed on the floor, they also provide a wonderful focal point.

Kids love to work on balance in yoga class because it is fun and challenging. They often don’t realize that they are acquiring a skill that improves each time they practice. This is good news because studies have shown that our balance decreases as we age beginning at age 7. With practice, we can maintain this balance.

2. Inversions:

I understand that Inversions can sound scary to try…especially with kids. The great news is that Inversions do not need to be difficult to do and the benefits are enormous. Find out how to practice our favorite Kids Yoga Inversions here.

3. Partner Yoga Poses:

Kids love partner yoga poses! Partner yoga poses help teach children the importance of teamwork and working together plus they are fun to do and build trust and community with one another. Check out our all-time favorite Kids Yoga Partner Poses here.

4. Group Yoga Challenge:

This type of yoga challenges are some of my favorites. Do not overthink this, it can be anything from standing in a circle and passing a hula hoop without letting go of hands. It can also be a Group Tree Pose or a Down Dog Tunnel. The point is to get the children working together to achieve a goal while having fun!

Down Dog Tunnels are always a hit for The Yoga Challenge.

The Yoga Challenge is an important part of your kids yoga class for differentiation and meeting the varying needs of your students. Everything can be modified.

This challenge allows the children the opportunity to work on more difficult poses by themselves or within the group. This builds trust and community.

More Favorite Kids Yoga Partner Poses:

Tips on Working With Partners in a Kids Yoga Class

Partner Poses Kids Love to Show Off

Video of a Partner Pose Kids Yoga Class

The post The Yoga Challenge: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.

Its Opposite Yoga Day! Yoga Games for Kids

Although the official Opposite Day has been declared on January 25, kids love to celebrate Opposite Day anytime. A fun way to do that is with The Opposite Yoga Pose Game.

Kids love this yoga game and it really stretches their minds as they think creatively and move their bodies in different ways. Kids don’t necessarily need to have an understanding of all the yoga poses to be able to play. Use The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards to help this game be even more successful and fun for kids.

How to play the Opposite Yoga Pose Game:

Have one child pick a yoga pose card. These yoga pose cards are our favorites .
Have the child think of an opposite yoga pose for it. For example; Down Dog Pose could be Boat Pose. Or Frog Pose would become Happy Baby Pose and the opposite of Mountain Pose is a Headstand.
The next child then selects a card and everyone demonstrates the opposite of.
Continue around the circle until everyone has had a turn.

**If the child cannot think of what an opposite yoga pose, he or she can make one up or the group can help them think of one.

How many more opposite yoga poses can you think of? It is okay if the children (or you) do not know the name of the poses they are making. Just make them up and have fun!

A helpful tip is to look at the pose card and see what they can come up with. This is a fun game that allows collaboration and teamwork within the group. It is the simple act of moving their bodies in creative and different ways that will produce many benefits.

You May Also Enjoy:

How to Play Yoga Triangle Tag

How to Easily Get Children into Savasana

Why You Should Teach Yoga to Kids

The post Its Opposite Yoga Day! Yoga Games for Kids appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.

Yoga Games for Children: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

Welcome to our Kids Yoga Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training. We are so glad that you are here!

Get All Caught Up on How to Plan Your Kids Yoga Class:

Why you need a Kids Yoga Lesson Plan before you even think about teaching yoga to children.

Part 1: The Welcome: How to engage your students right from the start.

Part 2: Breathing Exercises: Made Relevant and FUN for Children

Part 3: Sun Salutations Made Simple: Connect Movement with Breath

Part 4: The Importance of Active Movement: Get hearts pumping, build strength, and get wiggles out.

Part 5: Yoga Poses for Kids

Yoga Games for Kids

Kids love yoga games! Yoga games are often a favorite part of the class as children naturally love to play games. Games are also another great way to get kids moving, build strength, follow directions, work together and practice yoga poses in fun and engaging ways.

I also love how games help break the ice with new groups and allow kids to get to know one another. Games also lead to laughter and provide opportunities to maybe step outside a comfort while working together to achieve a goal.

Coming up with and planning and preparing a variety of kids yoga games is one of my specialties. In both of our bestselling books; Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga with Kids and Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children include hundreds of yoga games to play with all ages and group sizes.

Yoga Beach Ball is a Fun Game for All Ages

I like to have a repertoire of yoga games that can be played and used in a variety of situations such as varying group sizes, ages, indoor, outdoor yoga games. I also like to include games with partners, quiet and mindful games, games that bring the energy level up and games that bring the energy down.

These games could be used during a yoga class, a school setting, camps, during other kid-related activities, or a home with your children.

I do recommend having a set of yoga pose cards to when playing the games. We use The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards and they provide a great visual and are about the only prop or material needed.

The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards

As you dive in deeper with some of our favorite kids yoga games, please feel free to adapt for varying age levels, setting, age appropriateness, and number of children. This can be done by making a few simple adjustments.

A huge tip is that you spend no longer than 10 minutes playing a yoga game. Keep the interest level and excitement high. Always end on a high note which leaves them wanting more

The goal of yoga games is to get kids excited about practicing many different yoga poses, while they gain strength, improve balance, experience teamwork and have fun!

Check Out Some of Our Favorite Yoga Games for Kids:

Toega: Yoga Game for Your Toes

5 Fun Yoga Games to Play With Your Child

How to Play Yoga Jenga

The Best Summer Yoga Games for Kids

Indoor Survival Guide with Yoga Stations

You May Also Enjoy:

How to Teach Yoga to Children

Kids Yoga Teacher Favorite Props and Materials

How to Play the Listening Game with Children

The post Yoga Games for Children: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.

Yoga Poses for Children: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 With Yoga Themes

Hello and welcome! I am so happy that you are joining us for our Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training. You are in the right place!

Get All Caught Up Below:

Why you need a Kids Yoga Lesson Plan before you even think about teaching yoga to children.

Part 1: The Welcome: How to engage your students right from the start.

Part 2: Breathing Exercises: Made Relevant and FUN for Children

Part 3: Sun Salutations Made Simple: Connect Movement with Breath

Part 4: The Importance of Active Movement: Get hearts pumping, build strength, and get wiggles out.

Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101: Yoga Themes for Poses (Part 5)

Congratulations! You have made it to the main part of your yoga class where you can introduce and teach poses to your students. Kids enjoy learning new yoga poses and often get excited about adding new ones to their repertoire.

Boat Pose at the Park: Yoga is a Great Exercise for All Ages



How to Teach Yoga Poses to Kids

When teaching yoga poses to kids, I have found it helpful to group the yoga poses together by a theme. It is also helpful to only introduce 4-6 yoga poses per class. This really gives children the opportunity to practice the yoga poses and remember them outside of class. 

I have found that concentrating on fewer poses in class allows the children to truly focus, pay more attention to correct form and achieve success. They will feel themselves getting stronger, longer and more flexible as they become more comfortable with the poses. Your theme-related yoga poses are also a great way to differentiate and accommodate for the varying needs of your class.

How to Introduce the Yoga Poses

When introducing the yoga poses, it is important to be excited about the poses and build anticipation. This is a great technique and you will have the kids in the palm of your hand and so excited to learn what the next pose will be.

Gather the children in a circleHave some sort of seasonal bag or prop (colorful gift bag, basket, stocking cap, sand pail) that you have placed the 4-5 pose card visuals. I use The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards .Call on a child to come and “draw out” the next pose.Everyone practices the pose. Discuss what parts of your body you feel working and getting stronger.Call on another child to draw out the next pose and practice.Continue in this format until all of the poses have been drawn.I like to give the students a “test.” Since I am a teacher they find this highly interesting and engaging. I call out a pose that we have learned and the students must get into it as quickly as they can. For younger ages, it is fine to show the Kids Yoga Pose Card to help them find success.



The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards include 40 yoga pose cards. Partner yoga poses, yoga games, and mantras for mindfulness are included.



How to Teach Yoga Poses to School-Aged, Tweens, and Teens

After learning and practicing the yoga poses with older students, we will flow the poses together. Our yoga mats are already placed in a circle and I then place the yoga pose cards (that we just learned) in the center in the center in the circle and also order that we will flow. The children really enjoy this and they feel very grown-up.

They are definitely not too grown-up, however, when the Yoga Flow ends and it is time to practice the poses with a Yoga Game! Kids never ever want to pass up a yoga game!

Stay tuned for our favorite Kids Yoga Games coming next!

You May Also Enjoy:

The Most Important Part of Kids Yoga Class

Kids Yoga Teacher Favorite Props and Resources

The post Yoga Poses for Children: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 With Yoga Themes appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.

Yoga Poses for Children: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

Hello and welcome! I am so happy that you are joining us for our Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training. You are in the right place!

Get All Caught Up Below:

Why you need a Kids Yoga Lesson Plan before you even think about teaching yoga to children.

Part 1: The Welcome: How to engage your students right from the start.

Part 2: Breathing Exercises: Made Relevant and FUN for Children

Part 3: Sun Salutations Made Simple: Connect Movement with Breath

Part 4: The Importance of Active Movement: Get hearts pumping, build strength, and get wiggles out.

Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101: Yoga Themes for Poses (Part 5)

Congratulations! You have made it to the main part of your yoga class where you can introduce and teach poses to your students. Kids enjoy learning new yoga poses and often get excited about adding new ones to their repertoire.

Boat Pose at the Park: Yoga is a Great Exercise for All Ages



How to Teach Yoga Poses to Kids

When teaching yoga poses to kids, I have found it helpful to group the yoga poses together by a theme. It is also helpful to only introduce 4-6 yoga poses per class. This really gives children the opportunity to practice the yoga poses and remember them outside of class. 

I have found that concentrating on fewer poses in class allows the children to truly focus, pay more attention to correct form and achieve success. They will feel themselves getting stronger, longer and more flexible as they become more comfortable with the poses. Your theme-related yoga poses are also a great way to differentiate and accommodate for the varying needs of your class.

How to Introduce the Yoga Poses

When introducing the yoga poses, it is important to be excited about the poses and build anticipation. This is a great technique and you will have the kids in the palm of your hand and so excited to learn what the next pose will be.

Gather the children in a circleHave some sort of seasonal bag or prop (colorful gift bag, basket, stocking cap, sand pail) that you have placed the 4-5 pose card visuals. I use The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards .Call on a child to come and “draw out” the next pose.Everyone practices the pose. Discuss what parts of your body you feel working and getting stronger.Call on another child to draw out the next pose and practice.Continue in this format until all of the poses have been drawn.I like to give the students a “test.” Since I am a teacher they find this highly interesting and engaging. I call out a pose that we have learned and the students must get into it as quickly as they can. For younger ages, it is fine to show the Kids Yoga Pose Card to help them find success.



The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards include 40 yoga pose cards. Partner yoga poses, yoga games, and mantras for mindfulness are included.



How to Teach Yoga Poses to School-Aged, Tweens, and Teens

After learning and practicing the yoga poses with older students, we will flow the poses together. Our yoga mats are already placed in a circle and I then place the yoga pose cards (that we just learned) in the center in the center in the circle and also order that we will flow. The children really enjoy this and they feel very grown-up.

They are definitely not too grown-up, however, when the Yoga Flow ends and it is time to practice the poses with a Yoga Game! Kids never ever want to pass up a yoga game!

Stay tuned for our favorite Kids Yoga Games coming next!

You May Also Enjoy:

The Most Important Part of Kids Yoga Class

Kids Yoga Teacher Favorite Props and Resources

The post Yoga Poses for Children: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.