Sara J. Weis's Blog: Go Go Yoga Kids: Empower Kids for Life Through Yoga, page 3

Compete in the Kids Yoga Winter Olympics Lesson Plan

The Winter Olympics are here! Over the next few weeks, millions of people will tune in from all over the world to watch elite athletes try their best and go for the gold. Have some family fun with these Winter Olympics yoga poses.

First, warm up your body from the inside with an Olympic breathing exercise. Athletes need to have a strong breath to compete at this level. Since it is the Winter Olympics, you need to breathe in deeply and raise your arms above your head in the shape of an O (for Olympics). Then, lower your arms and exhale strongly as if you are trying to see your breath in this winter weather. Repeat several times.

Now that your bodies are good and warm, it is time for snowboarding. Move into Warrior 2 Pose with your feet wide apart.

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Bend your front knee and extend your arms so they are parallel to the ground. For an extra challenge try to complete a 180-degree turn.  Jump midair in this position as you switch lead legs. Try to have some “hang time!

Next, it is time to go skiing. Move into  Chair Pose  as you bend your knees and bring your arms up overhead. Breathe deeply as you move your arms up and down as if you are skiing down a hill. Try to lift up on the balls of your feet and lower them as your arms move as well.

Hop into your bobsled with Boat Pose. Begin seated with your feet flat on the floor. Keep your spine straight as you raise your legs and bring your body into a “V” shape. Sway a little right and left as if you were on a sled.

Our last event is Ice Skating in  Airplane Pose . Place your weight onto your right leg. Next, extend your left leg straight and strong behind you. Work toward lifting your arms in front of you. Breathe deeply as if you are gliding on the ice. Switch legs and continue practicing.

Find all of these Olympic Winter Yoga Poses and more in our newly updated Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards.

 

The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards

 

Have fun bringing the Winter Olympics to your home, classroom, or studio with these themed yoga poses.

You May Also Enjoy:

Winter Holiday Kids Yoga Lesson Plan

Snowballs and Kids Yoga Class

Winter Holiday Kids Yoga Class Video

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The Best of Kids Yoga

Happy New Year! It has been a wonderful year for Go Go Yoga for Kids. We have loved bringing the joy and fun of yoga to thousands of others through our Kids Yoga Lesson Plan Books, Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards, App, and most importantly our online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training. We have now certified over 3500 people from all over the world and are sharing the love and joy of kids yoga with others.

I have always loved reflecting on the year and thinking about how we can help even more others in the next year. I am also such a fan of “Year-End Reviews” and “Best of” Lists. So without much further ado…

Here are your Top Kids Yoga Favorite Posts from this year:

5. Kids Need Yoga! Don’t Miss These 7 Super Benefits of Yoga for Children

4. Simple Ways to Get Children to Listen (that you haven’t tried)

3. Mini Yoga Brain Breaks for Kids

“The Light in Me Sees the Light in You. Namaste” at a recent kids yoga class

2. How to Create an Epic Kids Yoga Obstacle Cours e

1.The Top 5 Secrets to Teaching Yoga to Kids

Children Love Practicing Their Poses with Yoga GamesYou May Also Enjoy:

The Most Common Mistake Every Kids Yoga Teacher Makes

5 Fun Yoga Games to Play with Your Child

How to Keep Your Yoga Students Engaged Throughout Class

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Kids Yoga Teacher Training Black Friday Sale

Do Not Miss Our Biggest Sale of the Year!

ALL OF OUR ONLINE KIDS YOGA  TEACHER TRAININGS ARE 30% OFF

Online Kids Yoga & Mindful ness Teacher Training

 USE CODE BLACKFRIDAYSALE AT CHECKOUT

 

Kids Yoga Teacher Introduction Training

Use code BLACKFRIDAYSALE at checkout to save 30%

This means you get your Kids Yoga & Mindfulness training, personal certification, lesson plans, lifetime access to the training PLUS personalized support at our lowest price. This is such an amazing opportunity for our comprehensive and complete kids yoga trainings. All online and completed at your pace with my support every step of the way!

Your Choice of 2 Complete Kids Yoga Teacher Trainings

Use code BLACKFRIDAYSALE to Save 30% off your Enrollment

 

Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training Kids Yoga Introduction Training

If you have ever even thought about teaching yoga to children, then this is definitely the perfect opportunity!

Yes, it is true! Now I know you are thinking…what an incredible deal and I really do want to begin making a difference with kids, but this is a busy time for me right now.

I totally get that! The best news is that you can begin this training anytime you want right from the comfort of your couch or bed (my preference!).

I guarantee that within a week of just starting our Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training, you will be making a positive difference in the lives of the children you love and care about!

Bonus: When you enroll you also receive access to our all-new Live Kids Yoga Class Examples from beginning to end!

I remember when I first started teaching yoga to children. All I wanted to see was actual teaching and kids yoga in action! Now you can view an early childhood class, a school-age class, and an engaging tween & teen yoga class.

Enjoy this opportunity, It won’t last long, grab this opportunity and start making a difference in the lives of the children you care about!

Remember to use BLACKFRIDAYSALE at checkout to save 30% off your enrollment.

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The Ultimate Kids Yoga Teacher Introduction Course

The Kids Yoga Teacher Introduction Course will teach everything that you need to know before teaching yoga to children!

Learn Exactly What You Need to Begin Teaching Yoga to Children Right AwayLive Kids Yoga Class Examples from Beginning to EndStep-by-Step Lesson PlansYoga Pose VisualsThe Most Important Parts of Your Kids Yoga ClassIncluded Full Length Kids Yoga Classes:Preschool/Early Childhood School Ages 5-12Teen & TweenAll Ages Family YogaPlus….Lesson Plan Extensions

Discover the importance of having a “bag of tricks” or additional ideas to add into your class in case something isn’t working, you need to modify, differentiate or you have additional time to fill.

Get Lifetime Access to The Kids Yoga Teacher Introduction Course

Each Live Kids Yoga Class includes a lesson recap that includes:

Yoga poses and games to differentiate for varying levels and skillsAdditional read aloud books  to include in your classWhat you can do differently to accommodate different age groups and abilities.Downloadable Lesson Plans & Yoga Pose VisualsComplete step-by-step kids yoga lesson plansPrintable yoga pose visuals to use in class for practice and gamesFun, engaging and diverse Kids Yoga Themes such as Blast into Space, Building Confidence, Animal Yoga & More.Each live kids yoga class includes:A complete 35-45 minute long classDownloadable lesson plans that you can follow along with and then use for your classesYoga pose visuals that match perfectly with the lesson plan and are also needed for using with kids for games and practice.Plus A video recap with lesson extensions including why I did what I did, what you could change to differentiate for varying levels and needs,  how you could make the lesson longer or shorter depending on your class needs plus ways to differentiate.Not only that, but I will teach you the Fail Proof Easy way to plan your kids yoga lessons. These are lessons that kids will remember and will have them excited for yoga.

This is exactly what I wanted when I began teaching yoga to kids. No more spending your time and energy trying to piece things together. Discover what really works in teaching yoga to kids!

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The Ultimate Guide to Plan your Fall Kids Yoga Class

Free Fall Kids Yoga Lesson Plan. Welcome Fall!

Fall is in the air! One of the things that I love about living in the Midwest is the change of seasons. I truly do appreciate the changing trees and landscape that each new season brings. As soon as you get tired of the heat, snow, or rain, then the season begins to magically transform into a new one.

I love incorporating the change of seasons with my kids yoga classes. Kids enjoy the seasonal themes with the poses, breathing exercises, and yoga games. By having a theme, it truly helps the children connect with and retain with what they are learning.

Get your free Kids Yoga Fall Fun Lesson Plan below. Learn many Fall themed yoga poses, play yoga games, practice mindfulness, complete group challenges and much more!

For this kids yoga lesson plan, I use the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards. These pose cards provide a great visual for the yoga poses as well as the partner yoga poses.

The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards

Toggle panel: Revolution Slider OptionHaToggle panel: Header and FooterToggle panel:ook at these Happy Fall trees! Check out our Partner Bats

Have you ever seen such a lovely Fall leaf? (Partner Pose)

It is much more fun to try to balance with a pumpkin on your head!

Interested in more kids yoga lesson plans? Our bestselling Go Go Yoga for Kids resources includes hundreds of kids yoga lesson plans, games, poses, mindfulness exercises and much more. Click to learn more.

You May Also Enjoy:

Family Fun Day: Yoga Games for All

Learn Something New This Fall

The Power of Partner Yoga Poses for Kids

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Happy Back to School Help for Families and Kids

Every Fall, there is a rite of passage for kids aged preschool through college which involves preparing to go back to school. Usually, this means gathering school supplies, going school clothes shopping, registering for sports and activities, Meet the Teacher Night or visiting the school before the start date. These are all part of the back to school transitions which help kids and parents physically and mentally prepare.

The worries and fear of the unknown are real and can lead to feelings of worry and uncertainty. While these feelings are normal there are things that can be done to help children emotionally prepare for a successful year!

Parents play an influential role in helping children cope, encouraging a positive back-to-school transition and helping to reduce children’s anxiety and worries. These mini yoga brain breaks can help.

Enjoy the Following Back to School Help and TipsHave Honest Discussions

It is important to sit down and really talk to your child. It doesn’t matter their age. Spend some time talking about how things may be different. As them if there are are specific things they are worried or concerned about, and talk these through with them.

Talk to them about what they can do to stay safe such as hand washing, using hand-santizer, keeping their distance from others avoid touching their face.

Get a Routine in Place

This is very important for children! Kids thrive on routines in place because they know what to expect and they feel like they have control.

Have your children wake up at the same time and follow a morning routine such as eating breakfast, brushing teeth and getting dressed for the day. Packing lunch the night before also helps minimize morning decisions and chaos.

Plan on certain places to keep masks easily accessible such as on hooks by the door. Have children help prepare the night before with homework completed and packed into a backpack, lunch prepared and in the fridge, and school clothes laid out. These simple steps will save so much time in the morning and really help with building a routine.

Children ages 3 and older are also old enough to have chores and to contribute positively to the family. Chores such as putting away dishes from the dishwasher, watering plants, walking the dog, taking garbage out, all help build responsibility and community within a family.

Establish a bedtime routine as well. These structures will help create rhythm and flow to the days.  Try these yoga and mindfulness tips that can be done together as a family.

Enjoy physical activity together every dayFocus on the Positive

It’s important to acknowledge children’s worries, but parents also need to encourage their children to focus on the things that are positive and they are forward to.

Before school starts, you can ask, “What are you looking forward to about school school?” or “What have you missed about school?” Once school starts, you can ask, “What was something great that happened today?”

At dinner, we like to take turns sharing something positive about our day. With so much negativity going on, it is important to truly be intentional about looking for the positive.

Be a Role Model

Children are watching and looking to us. They are noticing how we are responding to the changes and new challenges. Children even pick up on the nonverbal with our facial expressions.

It’s OK for us to feel uncertain and worried. However, as much as possible, try to model calm and confident attitudes about returning to school for your child and use cheerful, positive messages.

Please take the time to care for your own well-being and mental health. Be kind to yourself and one another. Seek out help if you needed. You are not alone. Make time for what makes you happy.

Conclusion:

While this year’s back to school is different, we can help children feel optimistic by listening to their worries, helping them feel confident by establishing routines and coping strategies.  Our kids need us to lead the way for a successful back-to-school transition and to develop the lifelong skills they will need in the future.

See our E-Store for immediate access to all kids yoga lesson plans, games, and posesYou May Also Enjoy:

3 Breathing Exercises for Anxious Kids

Family Friendly Yoga Poses

Teach Mindfulness to Kids with this One Quick Tip

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Get Your Free Kids Summer Olympics Yoga Guide

Bring the Summer Olympics to you! Get children fit, focused and Olympic ready with this free Go Go Yoga for Kids Summer Olympic Guide. Swim, row, and vault your way to a Gold Medal… kids yoga style!

Want more kids yoga ideas and lesson plans? Check out Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Using Yoga with Kids

and Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children

These resources gives teachers, parents and yoga instructors EVERYTHING they need to teach yoga to kids. Included are lesson plans, creative games, breathing and calming strategies, mindfulness exercises, yoga poses and much more. These ideas can be used right away to bring yoga into kids’ lives.

Download your FREE Kids Summer Olympics Yoga Guide Here

You May Also Like:

Summer Beach Ball Yoga

How to Teach Yoga to Children

Simple Ways to Get Children to Listen (that you haven’t tried)

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How to Make Mindful Moments with Kids & Families

 I was honored to be a guest on the Mindful Moments for Families & Schools Podcast! We continued to crack the code on how to easily incorporate mindfulness and yoga into your children’s everyday routine. 

Additional Topics Covered:

Recommendations on how to get started with a yoga & mindfulness practice yourselfHow to get started teaching yoga to childrenCreate mini mindful moments with KidsHow the Go Go Yoga for Kids books & resouces came to fruitionThe creation of The Kids Yoga Challenge AppHow to easily connect with childrenFavorite Kids Yoga teaching momentsHow to build a passion into a business

Tune into our lighthearted and spirited discussion that left me smiling way after we had parted.

 

 

Mindful Moments for Families and Schools Podcast

Host: Kelly Winkler

In today’s episode I chat with Sara Weis. Best-selling author Sara J. Weis is a creative and passionate teacher who has inspired children for over twenty years. In Go Go Yoga for Kids, Sara has combined her experience as a school teacher and a certified kid and adult yoga instructor to introduce children to yoga in engaging and child-friendly ways.

Sara is the author of Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga with Kids, Yoga Lessons for Children and Yoga Games & Activities for Children. She is also the creator of the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards, The Kids Yoga Challenge App and the online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training, which has trained thousands from all over the world on how to energetically and effectively teach yoga and mindfulness to children.

Sara holds a master’s degree in education as well as bachelor’s degrees in early childhood and elementary education. She is a teacher for West Des Moines Schools and leads kids yoga classes for a nationally-known health and fitness club. Her Go Go Go Yoga for Kids Teacher Training and books are found in over 200 health clubs, gyms and schools across the US.

Listen to the full episode to hear all Sara’s wisdom about yoga for kids. 

The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards

The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards will challenge you and children with balance, flexibility, mindfulness, and more. This card deck includes 40 poses including partner poses, confidence building pose mantras, and fun games to play together using these cards.

The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards Include:

40 progressive yoga poses including partner posesEmpowering pose mantras for beginners and meditationPoses rated from 1-5 stars based on difficultyEasy to follow poses to create many original yoga flows15 Bonus Games to play using these pose cardsTested and proven yoga poses to bring most mental and physical benefitTakes only minutes each day to gain lifelong skills and health benefits Find on Amazon You May Also Enjoy:

How to Play the Listening Game with Children

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Get Fit, Flexible & Focused with These Summer Olympic Yoga Games for All Ages

Are you ready for the Summer Olympic Games? After last summer’s hiatus, the world is waiting, watching and ready. Get your whole family involved in the Summer Olympics by having your own Yoga Games!

Games are perfect for:moving your bodies in good & healthy waysbuilding strength & flexibilityPracticing following directions and working togetherLearning yoga poses and practicing them fun and engaging ways. Welcome to our Summer Yoga Games for Kids!  

 Download your Yoga Games Guide and get ready for fun

Let the Yoga Games Begin!

Be sure to follow us on YouTube where you will be the first to see all of the brand new Kids Yoga Games released!

Once you have your FREE downloadable Yoga Summer Games Guide you will be ready for the fun!

It will be so much fun learning a variety of yoga games perfect for all ages!

These Yoga Games Will:Create strength physically and mentally for kids Promote teamwork and team building skillsBuild confidenceIncrease flexibilityImprove Balance and focusEnhance creative thinkingBring joy, laughter, and reminders not to take ourselves too seriously!

Each game include videos, directions on how to enhance and differentiate for kids with varying abilities within the games, as well as game images and lesson plans.

Do not miss a single moment!

Find your Free Summer Yoga Games Guide for Kids & Families

Age Group Characteristics & Groupings for Yoga Games

The following guidelines will help you decide which yoga games and activities are most appropriate for the children you will be working with.

Early Childhood: Ages 2-5

Children at this stage thrive on repetition and routine. This knowledge is helpful not just in their play, but in all areas of their lives. Children at this age have difficulty waiting for their turn, but they learn as it is shown and modeled. 

Preschool children are just discovering all of the different ways their bodies can move around—skip, hop, gallop, shuffle, run, walk backward—making active movement games especially beneficial. Incorporating pretend and fantasy into yoga games feeds imaginations and allows for unique personalities and ideas to emerge and grow. 

Keeping games short, five to seven minutes at most, and giving simple directions will keep them present and focused. They are easily distracted but they are eager to learn and will engage well with repetitive directions, movements, and play.

School Age: Ages 5-11

As kids mature, they develop longer attention spans, stronger bodies, and more control over their movements. But they also need variation, as they grow bored with anything too repetitive.

Physically, kids this age can handle additional large motor movement and poses, so incorporating more complicated games and activities will challenge them and keep them engaged. Introducing themes helps them retain information and recall it.

This age group enjoys cooperation and teamwork. Friendships are important. Children quickly learning interpersonal skills as they move through elementary, primary, and intermediate schools. They understand the concept of taking turns and often have a developing or well-formed understanding of teamwork.

Late Childhood or Teens/Tweens: Ages 11-14

Into their early teen years, kids enjoy working with peers, competitive games, and trying new and advanced poses. While building on what they already know, this is a good time to include poses and challenges their parents or other adults may be doing in yoga. The control they have developed over their bodies makes them capable of a wide variety of movements.

Fun and Engaging Kids Yoga Games You May Also Enjoy:

How to Play Summer Beach Ball Yoga

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Free Online Family Yoga Classes

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How to Play Summer Beach Ball Yoga

Summer is here! Get ready to play a favorite Summer Yoga Game!.

One of my favorite things about teaching yoga for kids is that there are so many fun and creative ways to introduce poses. I love creating a yoga game for kids and Beach Ball Yoga is one of my favorite summer games to play wiht kids. This yoga game can be played with any size group of any ages. Family-friendly and fun! All you need is a beach ball to get started! Trust me. They love this one.

HOW TO PLAY BEACH BALL YOGA

1. Find a blow-up beach ball. I got mine here.

2. With different colored permanent markers write a variety of summer words on the beachball. (See the examples below)

3. I like to make my poses summer and ocean theme related. Below are some examples. Note: I only write the bold-faced word on the beach ball.

Summer Yoga Poses

Dolphin (Dolphin Pose)

Shark (Shark Pose)

Iguana (Plank)

Swimmer (Superman Pose)

Mermaid (Up Dog)

Sunflower (bend at waist, hold opposite elbow, and circle up and around while holding elbows)

Beach chair (Chair Pose)

Crab (Crab kicks)

Sand castle (Down Dog)

Palm tree (Tree Pose)

Surfer (Warrior 2)

Fish (Fish Pose)

Jellyfish (bend at waist and let arms hang down)

Turtle (Turtle Pose)

Starfish (Savasana)

Find a free list of your summer beach yoga poses here. These words and poses can be written on your beach ball.  

Get the best Kids Yoga Games & Activities instantly with our Go Go Yoga for Kids E-Store

 Beach Ball Yoga with A Twist

Beach Ball Yoga with a twist in Boat Pose

Looking for a little beach ball challenge? Have everyone sit in the circle and pass it around the circle again, but not with their hands – with their feet!

I like to explain how this is similar to a group Boat Pose. It is a good core workout as well especially with holding that pose and all the laughter.

   Need hundreds of complete kids yoga lesson plans, games, and resources?  Check out our bestselling kids yoga lesson plans books:

Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga with Kids,

 Yoga Lessons for Children

Yoga Games & Activities for Children

You May Also Enjoy:How to Play Yoga JengaThe Most Important Part of Your Kids Yoga ClassFun in the Sun Kids Yoga Class 

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