Sara J. Weis's Blog: Go Go Yoga Kids: Empower Kids for Life Through Yoga, page 29

Winter Yoga Class With Kids at Athleta

Here is a peek at our fun kids winter yoga class at Athleta over winter break.

What fun we had making Snowflake Salutations, sledding with our yoga mats and making Gingerbread men.  That was just the beginning! There were so many plush snowballs to select from which featured a different winter yoga poses to learn and practice. We became snowball buckets, snowballs, ornaments and holiday trees.

It is great to work together to accomplish a goal and we did that with our  partner poses of Icicle and Snow Castle. We also loved the game Blizzard in the Forest which is perfect for working on balance and concentration. Find out how to play this yoga game and much more by getting our monthly newsletter here.

 

Want to see a video of this Go Go Yoga Kids class in action? Check out it here.

Be part of our Kids Yoga Challenge!

 

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5 Fun Yoga Games for Kids & Adults with an Inner Child

Sara J. Weis

for bookyogaretreats.com

December 27, 2016

Looking to try something new and active with your children? Yoga games are a great way to get kids moving, working together, and improve their communication skills. Yoga games also provide the perfect opportunity to learn new poses and increase balance and flexibility.

The following games can be played with different age levels with simple adjustments. These yoga games can also be used anywhere as they don’t need any preparation or materials. Just put on a smile and have fun playing these games on the go!

 

Mirror Mirror

 

Choose one partner to go first. The first partner will slowly move through a sequence of yoga poses while the other person mimics the movements. After a couple of minutes switch roles so the other person takes the lead.

 

Pose Challenge

 

This game will help children realize how all of their body parts have advantages and can make them stronger. Call out two different body parts that should be touching the floor or yoga mat and have them show that pose. For example “Two hands/Two Feet” could mean the children could show down dog, plank, cat, cow, standing forward fold, or a new pose that they invent. There are no wrong poses. It is just a fun way to get your body moving in different ways.

Yogi Yogi Go (similar to Duck Duck Goose)

Children sit in a circle and one child moves around the circle tapping children on the head saying, “Yogi, Yogi” and picks someone by saying “Go.” The first child will jump, hop, gallop, etc. around the circle trying to make it back to his/her seat without getting caught. If caught they then hold a yoga pose in the middle of the circle.

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Body Shapes

 

Draw a shape on a whiteboard or a piece of paper and everyone must try to make that shape with their body. This can be done individually, in pairs, or in small groups. A fun challenge in pairs or groups is to see if they can make the shape while working together silently. Good figures to use are circles, lines, and certain letters.

 

Sea/Shore/Shells

 

This is an active game that allows lots of movement while practicing yoga poses that the children know or have learned. Have a long jump rope or some other way to divide your room in half. When the leader says, “sea”, everyone jumps to the “sea” side. When the leader says “shore”, they jump to the other side. When the leader says “shells”, the participants must make a yoga pose. Try going quickly and mix them up. The kids will love it!

Find more about Sara J. Weis and her work with children at gogoyogakids.com . Or follow her on Facebook and Twitter !

Want to become a yoga teacher for children, go on a retreat and try a yoga teacher training for kids on BookYogaRetreats.com!

 

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Kids Yoga Challenge with Go Go Yoga Kids

I am so excited to unveil our all new Kids Yoga Challenge for 2017! I hope you will join me on this adventure. Grab some kids that you care about and have fun getting fit and focused together.

Each challenge is progressive and will only take a few moments to complete together.

Do you want to be part of this Kids Yoga Challenge? Sign up here for more details and be part of the fun!

Submit

 

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Fun Holiday Yoga Poses for Kids

Happy Holidays from Go Go Yoga Kids!

Have fun and get fit with your kids this holiday season.

Check out our Holiday Yoga Poses for Kids video here and see our Happy Holidays Kids Yoga lesson plan here.

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Words Longest Yoga Mat Leap Frog Game

We needed to have a little fun before cutting this yoga mat roll into 25 kid sized yoga mats!

Check out the leap frog fun here!

Now we are ready for lots of fun kids yoga classes!

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Happy Holidays from Go Go Yoga Kids

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Snowga: Yoga Fun for Kids at Athleta Jordan Creek

Looking forward to something active and fun for your
child over winter break?
Join Go Go Yoga Kids at Athleta for a free winter themed kids yoga class!
Snowga Yoga Fun for Kids
Snowballs, Stories, Poses, Games and More!

When: December 29th 9:00 AM      Where: Athleta Jordan Creek

No need to register. Just bring a yoga mat and be ready for fun! Go Go Yoga Kids books will be available for purchase and author signing.

Questions? Contact us.

 

 

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Snow Much Fun! Free Kids Yoga Class at Plot Twist Bookstore

Looking for an indoor fun activity with your kids during winter break that still involves snow? Come join us on December 28th for a FREE and fun kids yoga class.

Since it is the winter season, we will be bringing the snow with us inside for yoga poses, games a story and more! Come join us at Plot Twist Bookstore in Ankeny at 10:30. Bring a beach towel or a yoga mat and be ready for Snow Much Fun!

Go Go Yoga Kids: Empower Kids for Life Through Yoga books will be available for purchase and signing. See you soon!

 

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Guest Post: 5 Kids Yoga Poses to Ease Travel Stress this Holiday Season

By Susan Verde for BookYogaRetreats.com

The holidays are fast approaching and plans to vacation with the kids abound. Although the intention is to gather with friends and family and celebrate, sometimes the travel itself can be a less than joyous event.  There is packing and leaving home, long lines, big crowds and the well-meaning relatives who want to smother the children with love. The more we can tune into our kids and help make these trips less stressful, the more time we can spend enjoying being together. Try these yoga and mindfulness activities with your kids along the journey to help ease their travel anxiety and yours.

1) First and foremost BREATHE… (cover or relax pose)

Having the “essentials” with you when you travel is important for your comfort and maintaining a sense of normalcy in situations that can be different and challenging. Think of the breath as one of those essentials kids can always have with them to help feel at home wherever they are. Take some time to practice deep, diaphragmatic breathing with your children before your trip, so kids know what to do sitting in a car or on a plane or even upon arriving at a new location. Let them know that whenever they feel upset or anxious they can always have access to calming breath. Even the littlest ones can practice putting their hands on their bellies and closing their eyes noticing the breath fill their bodies with air and feeling their tummies expand and contract with each breath. Doing this together will help all of you. You can practice sitting up or lying down all the while focusing the attention on the breath as you inhale and exhale through the nose. Older children can try counting their breaths. If your child has a favorite stuffed animal, he can put it in his lap or on belly and breathe, “together.” Remember to notice how good you all feel after you’ve done your breathing.

2) Find Balance (airplane)

The rushing around that occurs pre-travel can throw everyone off balance. Practicing some balance poses can actually help to create stability both physically and mentally. Airplane pose helps kids not only find their literal balance but also their emotional pause and creates a sense of fun and playfulness. If you happen to be flying somewhere it can be a fun game to emulate an airplane. Challenge your kids to find stillness in this pose, taking a few breaths and then let them fly around to different destinations imagining what they see and hear. It is a pose you can call up while in line at an airport or at a rest stop to occupy little minds and strengthen and stretch their bodies, and to give them a chance to be in the moment.

3) Turn anxiety on its head (Down Dog)

Any pose that brings one’s head below the knees can change the flow of oxygen and blood to the brain and calm, refresh and energize the body and mind. Downward facing dog is one of those poses. It’s a wonderful stretch for the hamstrings, calves, lower back and shoulders after sitting or while waiting on long lines for any length of time. A little down dog can be refreshing and playful bringing some fun to the moment and a new perspective. While in this pose, have your kids wag their tails, lift a leg and open up their hips, bark and giggle. If you feel tension or anxiety building in your child, help them turn things upside down with this easy, but effective inversion.

4) Allow for boundaries and self-care (child’s pose)

Often the stress of travel involves being in a new situation or among crowds of people. Even if you are traveling to see family whose intentions are only to give love to your kids, it can be overwhelming to be hugged and fawned over. Children need to know that they have the right to set boundaries and create a “safe space” for themselves. Child’s pose is a lovely way to help children feel protected and in control. Have them sit back on their heels with toes touching and knees apart resting the forehead on the floor with arms by the sides. This pose can feel like a lovely self-hug and a place to shut out any chaos going on around. While there, have your child notice the breath filling her back body and practice taking slow deep inhales and exhales. This mindful attention will help bring a sense of softening and calm to body and mind.  Giving a child the option to find this pose when there is a lot going on and she needs a moment to regroup is an empowering and comforting gift. Before traveling, practice this pose and talk about the times it might come in handy and when your child might choose to access it. This will also give you some insight into what she could be worried about and a chance to help calm fears preemptively.

5) Pause, connect, be grateful (tree)

Once you have arrived at your destination take a moment to pause before entering the hotel, relative’s home or wherever you might be staying. Stop, look around and notice, activate your child’s senses. Ask your child what he sees. Are there buildings? Is there a beach? Are there trees? Become a tree even if there aren’t any. Have your child balance on one foot while raising the other to the ankle or upper thigh placing hands together by the heart. Getting into tree pose can help your child find physical and emotional balance in a new context. Take some deep breaths in and out through the nose perhaps reaching the hands to the sky. Ask your children what they hear and smell and what they feel on their skin. This pause and quick check-in provides a context and a way to get one’s bearings in a new situation. Once your kids have tuned into the environment around them take one last moment to think of something you are grateful for on this adventure. Close your eyes and notice how that gratitude feels in your body. Practicing this pose and mindful activity will not only help your child feel as though you are honoring where they are emotionally but also set the tone for a positive travel experience for which you will all be thankful.

 

 

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Guest Post: 5 Kids Yoga Poses to Ease Travel Stress this Holiday Season by Susan Verde

By Susan Verde for BookYogaRetreats.com

The holidays are fast approaching and plans to vacation with the kids abound. Although the intention is to gather with friends and family and celebrate, sometimes the travel itself can be a less than joyous event.  There is packing and leaving home, long lines, big crowds and the well-meaning relatives who want to smother the children with love. The more we can tune into our kids and help make these trips less stressful, the more time we can spend enjoying being together. Try these yoga and mindfulness activities with your kids along the journey to help ease their travel anxiety and yours.

1) First and foremost BREATHE… (cover or relax pose)

Having the “essentials” with you when you travel is important for your comfort and maintaining a sense of normalcy in situations that can be different and challenging. Think of the breath as one of those essentials kids can always have with them to help feel at home wherever they are. Take some time to practice deep, diaphragmatic breathing with your children before your trip, so kids know what to do sitting in a car or on a plane or even upon arriving at a new location. Let them know that whenever they feel upset or anxious they can always have access to calming breath. Even the littlest ones can practice putting their hands on their bellies and closing their eyes noticing the breath fill their bodies with air and feeling their tummies expand and contract with each breath. Doing this together will help all of you. You can practice sitting up or lying down all the while focusing the attention on the breath as you inhale and exhale through the nose. Older children can try counting their breaths. If your child has a favorite stuffed animal, he can put it in his lap or on belly and breathe, “together.” Remember to notice how good you all feel after you’ve done your breathing.

2) Find Balance (airplane)

The rushing around that occurs pre-travel can throw everyone off balance. Practicing some balance poses can actually help to create stability both physically and mentally. Airplane pose helps kids not only find their literal balance but also their emotional pause and creates a sense of fun and playfulness. If you happen to be flying somewhere it can be a fun game to emulate an airplane. Challenge your kids to find stillness in this pose, taking a few breaths and then let them fly around to different destinations imagining what they see and hear. It is a pose you can call up while in line at an airport or at a rest stop to occupy little minds and strengthen and stretch their bodies, and to give them a chance to be in the moment.

3) Turn anxiety on its head (Down Dog)

Any pose that brings one’s head below the knees can change the flow of oxygen and blood to the brain and calm, refresh and energize the body and mind. Downward facing dog is one of those poses. It’s a wonderful stretch for the hamstrings, calves, lower back and shoulders after sitting or while waiting on long lines for any length of time. A little down dog can be refreshing and playful bringing some fun to the moment and a new perspective. While in this pose, have your kids wag their tails, lift a leg and open up their hips, bark and giggle. If you feel tension or anxiety building in your child, help them turn things upside down with this easy, but effective inversion.

4) Allow for boundaries and self-care (child’s pose)

Often the stress of travel involves being in a new situation or among crowds of people. Even if you are traveling to see family whose intentions are only to give love to your kids, it can be overwhelming to be hugged and fawned over. Children need to know that they have the right to set boundaries and create a “safe space” for themselves. Child’s pose is a lovely way to help children feel protected and in control. Have them sit back on their heels with toes touching and knees apart resting the forehead on the floor with arms by the sides. This pose can feel like a lovely self-hug and a place to shut out any chaos going on around. While there, have your child notice the breath filling her back body and practice taking slow deep inhales and exhales. This mindful attention will help bring a sense of softening and calm to body and mind.  Giving a child the option to find this pose when there is a lot going on and she needs a moment to regroup is an empowering and comforting gift. Before traveling, practice this pose and talk about the times it might come in handy and when your child might choose to access it. This will also give you some insight into what she could be worried about and a chance to help calm fears preemptively.

5) Pause, connect, be grateful (tree)

Once you have arrived at your destination take a moment to pause before entering the hotel, relative’s home or wherever you might be staying. Stop, look around and notice, activate your child’s senses. Ask your child what he sees. Are there buildings? Is there a beach? Are there trees? Become a tree even if there aren’t any. Have your child balance on one foot while raising the other to the ankle or upper thigh placing hands together by the heart. Getting into tree pose can help your child find physical and emotional balance in a new context. Take some deep breaths in and out through the nose perhaps reaching the hands to the sky. Ask your children what they hear and smell and what they feel on their skin. This pause and quick check-in provides a context and a way to get one’s bearings in a new situation. Once your kids have tuned into the environment around them take one last moment to think of something you are grateful for on this adventure. Close your eyes and notice how that gratitude feels in your body. Practicing this pose and mindful activity will not only help your child feel as though you are honoring where they are emotionally but also set the tone for a positive travel experience for which you will all be thankful.

 

 

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