Sara J. Weis's Blog: Go Go Yoga Kids: Empower Kids for Life Through Yoga, page 8
June 19, 2020
All Aboard the Silly Train for Kids
All Aboard the Stilly Train: Yoga Game for Children
Hello, are you ready to play a fun game that kids love because they get to act very silly? Find your Free Yoga Games Guide below and get ready to follow along and play! It is time to jump aboard the Silly Train: Yoga Game for Children.
Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Games & Activities Includes:
Over 150 yoga games, activities, poses, and challenges broken into categories and easily modified
Detailed descriptions for all activities including suggested age groups, needed props, ideal group size, and leader notes
Suggestions for organizing engaging kids yoga classes and incorporating games
Benefits children can receive from yoga, games, teamwork, and mindfulness
Characteristics of age groups and the types of games that best fit each level of maturity
Ways to incorporate challenges for older kids
Teaching tips for tweens and teens
Breathing exercises for relaxation, mindfulness, and stress reduction
Secrets to successfully teach yoga to children
Ideas for yoga-inspired crafts that can be used both inside and outside of class
Ways to incorporate yoga into family time
Game and yoga pose illustrations
Downloadable yoga pose memory game
Available in hard copy and e-book.
How to Play Silly Train: Yoga Game for Children:
Number of Players: 3+
Materials: None
Recommended Ages: 3-8
How to play Silly Train:
Select a pose from the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards . This will be your Go-To Pose for the Game.
Have all of the students line up behind the leader in one straight line.
The leader shows the selected yoga pose and ever everyone practices it.
When the leader is ready to start, they will lead the train around the room.
The passengers or people following will dance or move as silly as they can, while staying in line
When the leader turns around, everyone must instantly go into the selected pose. Take turns by changing train leaders.
This is lots of fun and the kids love the opportunity to just be silly while moving their bodies.
Leader Notes:
Play some music for added fun.
Change up the Yoga Poses to keep everyone on their toes while learning and practicing a variety of poses.
Adults make sure you join in as well (even when you are not the leader). Kids love to see you be silly too!
More Favorite Kids Yoga Games
Are you ready to learn to more about how to easily & effectively Teach Yoga & Mindfulness to Children?
Our online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training will completely prepare you to teach yoga to children ages 3-15. Join thousands of others from all over the world in this fun and engaging training that will empower you to make a difference in the lives of children.
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Get Ready for Preschool Yoga
Kids Yoga Teacher Favorite Props & Materials
Learn How to Teach Yoga to Children
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June 13, 2020
Fun Active Games for Kids: Yoga Hurdles
Welcome to our Active Games for Kids, I’m so happy that you’re here!
Grab your FREE Summer Yoga Games Guide with directions, poses and downloads.
The Yoga Hurdles game has always been a favorite of kids in my yoga classes. Yoga Hurdles is found in our new bestselling book Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Games & Activities for Children. Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Games & Activities for Children includes over 150 games, partner games, breathing exercises, teamwork, group challenges, mindful games. This game is in the Active Movement Game chapter.
Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Games & Activities
A lot of times in yoga we talk about with kids how it’s not just about holding the poses and being still and quiet. It’s also about getting your heart pumping and feeling good and getting that energy there. We call this the Active Movement part of your Kids Yoga Class. By playing Yoga Hurdles, you will get that energy going for sure!
How to Play Yoga Hurdles:
First ask the kids if they know what a hurdle is. Ask if they have seen them at a track and field event.
Tell them that today in this game they are going to be the Human hurdles! This means that they are going to become hurdles themselves!
The kids sit facing a partner and they put their legs out and feet to feet so it creates a hurdle. With younger kids this will be enough and they will feel a good stretch. When playing with older kids you can make varied heights of the hurdles with your hands.
Make a Yoga Hurdle with Your Body and Feel a Good Stretch
The Human Hurdles sit themselves in a line, allowing enough space for the children to jump over each hurdle.
Each child take a turn running through the hurdles. They have to be mindful and careful when doing this and The Human Hurdles need to be still and quiet as well
Game Variations:
The kids have a lot of fun with this game and there are several variations that you can try.
You can easily space the Human Hurdle further apart or this game can easily be changed up and you can make it into a relay or you can make it into a race.
Another way to change it up is by not having the kids be partners but instead, they are lying in a circle with their heads pointed toward the center of the circle.
One child at a time goes around the circle and hops carefully over the hurdles.
Conclusion:
Yoga Hurdles is a game that children love because it is fun and different. I love how it gets their hearts pumping and happy as they prepare to learn and practice their themed yoga poses. Find out how to easily teach yoga poses to children.
Learn about the fun variations with the game Yoga Hurdles.
You May Also Enjoy:
Favorite Kids Yoga Resources & Props
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June 6, 2020
Plow Pass Relay Yoga Game
Welcome to Yoga Games for Kids!
Games are a great way to get kids moving, build strength, practice following directions, working together, and the opportunity to practice yoga poses in fun and engaging ways.
Welcome to our summer yoga games for kids series! You are in the right place! Download your FREE Yoga Games Guide below and get ready for fun!
How to Play Plow Pass Relay: Yoga Game for Kids
Teach the children how to safely how to do Plow Pose .
Next, have the children make two lines. The first person at the front of the line puts the ball between their feet and moves into Plow Pose.
The child then passes the ball (or yoga block) backward to the child behind them.
The ball continues to be passed until the last person has taken a turn.
Game Variations:
This game can also be done in Boat Pose.
Teach the children how to hold Boat Pose .
Sit in a circle. The first person puts the ball between their feet and goes into Boat Pose.
The child then passes the ball to the child next to by only moving their feet.
The ball continues to be passed around the circle.
Teacher Note:
Often times children try to lay on their back while they pass the ball. I like to say, “no sinking ships!” It is important to remember that the main benefits of this game are to increase core strength, practice teamwork and have fun!
It is fun to try a variety of different sized balls while playing Plow Pass Relay. Beach balls are always a favorite!
Kids Yoga App
Find over 150 yoga games, activities, poses, and challenges broken into categories and easily modified in our new bestselling Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Games & Activities for Children book.
Conclusion:
Plow Pass Relay is a favorite yoga game for children and one that is a wonderful core strengthener. Adults, when you play this game with children you will definitely be feeling it the next day in your midsection!
Although this game and exercise does involve moving your arms and legs, it is really about the core and will fire up those deep muscles that wrap around your sides and spine.
Core strength is so important in all that we do and this is true for children as well. Your core stabilizes your body which helps with balance and mobility which is especially important as we age.
Kids don’t care about this as much though! They just enjoy this fun game can be done by themselves, with a partner, or in a small group.
You May Also Enjoy:
Princess Tiptoe: Yoga Game for Kids
Tips for Playing Games with Kids
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May 31, 2020
Summer Yoga Camp
Join Go Go Yoga for Kids and Des Moines Parent for fun home adventures for kids! With all the changes around our world, we are excited to provide a new, fun summer yoga camp experience for families this summer.
Your kids will get a taste of many subjects and activities all in one week! Camp Des Moines Parent will provide fun lessons from instructors and businesses, a private community, fun goodies, and more.
This virtual camp is open to families all over!
How to Enroll:
Select a camp you would like to attend below. Camps are aimed for children 5 to 11 years. Please note that some activities may require a parent’s assistance.Fill out the form + register!One week prior to your camp start date you will receive a fun packet filled with items you may need for your week of camp, bios of your instructors for the week, and other fun goodies. Most daily lessons will include things you will have at home.You will be delivered your video each day during the camp week, which will be good for TWO weeks. This means you have two weeks to carve out time, have fun, and experience the lesson.Interaction and fun are important during camp! You will be included in a Private Facebook Group that is ONLY for the specific week of registrants. All of you will be doing the same fun activities, will be able to share your experiences and make friends. We will also sprinkle in some other fun during the week.
What is included with your admission to camp?
An intro packet filled with instructions, supplies list, instructor bios, and other fun goodies.(5) Daily videos delivered straight to your inbox with a TWO week access period. Videos are taught by local, Des Moines instructors, and/or business owners. Video lessons may differ but may include art, STEM lesson, themed yoga, nature lesson, and more.Membership into a Private Facebook Group so you can interact and connect with other families participating in the same week of camp as you!
Kids Yoga Books and ActivitiesDates and Camp Themes:
June 22 – 26 | Nature
July 20 – 24 | Animals
August 3 – 7 | Space
$50 per week of camp. Register for all 3 weeks and receive $25 off. Register for camp HERE!
Instructors
Sara Weis | Go Go Yoga for Kids
Sara is an elementary teacher and just celebrated her 20th year of teaching for West Des Moines Schools! Her passions are kids, teaching, and yoga. She holds a master’s degree in education as well as certifications in teaching adult and kids yoga. She is the creator of Go Go Yoga for Kids which includes kids yoga books, lesson plans, resources, apps, and teacher training. She regularly teaches kids yoga classes for a nationally-known health and fitness club and enjoys visiting schools to help inspire children to be an author as well as the fun and benefits that yoga can bring! She lives in Iowa with her husband, three kids, and Bichon Poodle Pup, Rocky.
Get kids fit, flexible, focused, and having fun with yoga! Go Go Yoga for Kids is the resource for all things related to how to easily and effectively teach yoga to children while having fun! All of our resources have been tested and kid-approved with our
Go Go Yoga for Kids Resources:
Kids Yoga Books
Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards
The Kids Yoga Challenge App
Online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training has trained thousands from all over the world on how to teach yoga to children in easy to follow step by step formats.
Go Go Yoga for Kids provides complete resources that detail everything you will need to successfully teach yoga to kids of all ages and to inspire then in life-long healthy ways.
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May 28, 2020
How to Play Princess Tiptoe: Yoga Games Online
How to Play Princess Tiptoe: Yoga Games Online
Welcome to Yoga Games for Kids!
Games are a great way to get kids moving, build strength, practice following directions, working together, and the opportunity to practice yoga poses in fun and engaging ways.
Welcome to our summer yoga games for kids series! You are in the right place! Download your FREE Yoga Games Guide below and get ready for fun
Get My FREE Yoga Games
Once you have your Kids Yoga Games Guide: Open Your Guide Up and find the Princess Tiptoe Game! You are ready to begin!
As we teach the game, record your notes, questions, and how you would use this game with kids.
Shhhhh…..don’t wake up the Princess in this new favorite game
Are you needing a game that young kids love to play AND it keeps them quiet?
Back before the pandemic, Princess Tiptoe was a game that I regularly rotated in for my younger kids yoga classes (ages 3-6).
We would play this game right before our Stillness and Savasana and it was the perfect game for winding down and bringing a calming sense and energy to the group.
Princess Tiptoe is found in our brand new book, Yoga Games & Activities for Children.
How to Play Princess Tiptoe
Number of Players: 6+
Materials: Magic Wand or something similar deemed magic
Recommended Ages: 3-6
Directions:
Select one player as “Prince Tiptoe” (or Princess Tiptoe).
The other players spread over the room and go into Child’s Pose (see image below). If you are able, turn the lights turned low as tat creates a calming feeling.
The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards include 40 Yoga Poses, Starred Difficulty Level, and corresponding Mantra
Princess Tiptoe begins by putting a finger to their lips and whispering: “shh! Here comes Prince Tiptoe” as they tiptoe around the room.
When the players are tapped by Prince Tiptoe they join in a line behind the Prince, tiptoeing at the same speed.
When all of the players are in line, Prince Tiptoe slows the movement and turns to the player directly behind them and says, “shh.”
The Player behind should quickly tiptoe back to their original spot and go back into Child’s Pose.
This continues until all of the players have returned to their spots.
This is great for transitioning from a noisy, loud active group game to a quieter time for younger children. I love to use this game as a simple and effective transition into Stillness and Savasana at the end of our yoga class.
Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101
Discover how to easily get children into Stillness and Savasana in Yoga Class here .
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Live Family Yoga Class
My Favorite Props & Resources
How to Teach Yoga Games Online
The post How to Play Princess Tiptoe: Yoga Games Online appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.
How to Play Prince Tiptoe: Yoga Games Online
How to Play Prince Tiptoe: Yoga Game for Kids
How to Play Prince Tiptoe
Number of Players: 6+
Materials: Magic Wand or something similar deemed magic
Recommended Ages: 3-6
Directions:
Select one player as “Prince Tiptoe” (or Princess Tiptoe).
The other players spread over the room and go into Child’s Pose. I like to have the lights turned low
The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards include 40 Yoga Poses, Starred Difficulty Level, and corresponding Mantra
Prince Tiptoe begins by putting a finger to their lips and whispering: “shh! Here comes Prince Tiptoe” as they tiptoe around the room.
When the players are tapped by Prince Tiptoe they join in a line behind the Prince, tiptoeing at the same speed.
When all of the players are in line, Prince Tiptoe slows the movement and turns to the player directly behind them and says, “shh.”
The Player behind should quickly tiptoe back to their original spot and go back into Child’s Pose.
This continues until all of the players have returned to their spots.
This is great for transitioning from a noisy, loud active group game to a quieter time for younger children. I love to use this game as a simple and effective transition into Stillness and Savasana at the end of our yoga class.
Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101
Discover how to easily get children into Stillness and Savasana in Yoga Class here .
You Might Also Enjoy:
Live Family Yoga Class
My Favorite Props & Resources
How to Teach Yoga to Kids Online
The post How to Play Prince Tiptoe: Yoga Games Online appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.
May 25, 2020
Let the Games Begin! Summer Yoga Games for Kids
Are you ready for some fun? Kids love yoga games! Games are a great way to get kids moving, build strength, follow directions, work together and practice yoga poses in fun and engaging ways.
Welcome to our Yoga Games for Kids Series! You do not want to miss this! 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!
New games will be released weekly and will include videos, blog posts with 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.
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The post Let the Games Begin! Summer Yoga Games for Kids appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.
May 16, 2020
How to Teach Yoga Online
Are you ready to learn how to teach yoga online?
Maybe you are you a Kids Yoga Teacher who has had to pivot to online classes.
Perhaps you are wanting to get started teaching yoga to children online?
Are you looking for ways to connect with your students and keep them engaged and learning while being online.
If you don’t want to limit your class to those that expressed interest through email, you can also go Live with Youtube, Instagram and Facebook.
There are benefits to both a scheduled meeting or going Live. The most important thing is that you are sharing the fun and joy of yoga to children!
Quick Start To How to Teach Yoga Online
Using Zoom is an easy way to teach online. Many people have become more comfortable with Zoom in the last few months. Below is a quick overview on how to get started.
Set up a Zoom meeting. You can create an account for free.
Schedule a meeting (day & time)
Copy the invitation
Send the invitation to people in an email. They will be able to easily click on the link and join the meeting at your scheduled time.
Tips for Good Creating Good Videos
Make sure that you have good lighting (natural light works well!)
Clear the area around you. A cluttered area will be distracting for your students.
Be Audible. I have my Blue Yeti Microphone that I plug into my laptop. You do not need to have that, but it is important to speak clearly.
I have my favorite JBL USB Speaker JBL USB Speaker to use for music. This inexpensive little gem is one of my favorite things to use when teaching kids yoga!
Be sure that you are closer to the microphone then the speaker. It is more important that the kids hear you as opposed to the music.
Teaching Yoga Online to Children Tips
Have a plan in place (but know that it is okay to deviate). Find more about how to plan for a successful kids yoga class.
Use props! I love having a theme and using a corresponding read-aloud book and including yoga poses.
Find out our Favorite Read-Aloud Books to use in Teaching Yoga to Children.
Our bestselling Go Go Yoga for Kids: Lesson Plans for Children includes dozens of good read aloud stories with yoga poses.
Go Go Yoga for Kids:Yoga Lessons for Children
The Go Go Yoga for Kids resources are invaluable when I teach online! The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards are very helpful for my online classes because you can easily show them to the kids.
They can see up close the pose and what it looks like before they actually do it. I will make a sequence for a yoga flow and show them each pose with the cards before we do the flow.
With the lesson plans books, I can pick and choose what I want to use online for my kids yoga classes.
I like to use some of the ways suggested in how to incorporate using a storybook in the class. I find books that we can do yoga poses with them.
As I read the book, I show the pose card, and then we do the pose. I even used the mindfulness project and showed them step by step on how to make a mindfulness jar. (Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children).
Mary K.
Kids Yoga Teacher
Favorite Kids Yoga Props
Kids Yoga Challenge App
kids yoga
More Kids Yoga Props, Puppets, and Games
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The post How to Teach Yoga Online appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.
May 15, 2020
The Kids Yoga App
Take Yoga on the Go with our NEW Kids Yoga App! Perfect for getting kids fit, flexible, and focused in only minutes each day!
The Kids Yoga Challenge App will challenge you and children with balance, flexibility, mindfulness, and more. This App includes 40 poses including partner poses and confidence-building pose mantras!
The Kids Yoga App is Available on Apple and
Android
The Kids Yoga App Includes:
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 the most mental and physical benefitTakes only minutes each day to gain lifelong skills and health benefits
Down The Kids Yoga Challenge App in the App Store
Get the Kids Yoga Challenge App on Google Play for Android.
This is such a great app! The colorful, easy to follow yoga pose pictures are easy to follow. My daughter and I like to use the app for yoga together and she even does it on her own. Another nice thing about the app, is that it allows us to take yoga on the go. I highly recommend this app!” Kimberly C.
“Great app to get moving! We love all of the different yoga poses included in this app. This is a great resource to share with kids to allow them to stretch and add movement to their days.” Erin H.
“This app is AWESOME for parents, teachers, grandparents…anyone who has children in their lives! It makes doing yoga easy to do anywhere and at anytime. You will love this app!” Kim K.
The Kids Yoga Challenge App
Easily touch the screen and get a new yoga pose every time! Fun and surprising way to practice lots of poses!
Coming Soon! Our Kids Yoga Games Guide! Discover the favorite kids yoga games to play of all time! These games are perfect for learning and practicing poses while having fun in a cooperative game setting!
Do not miss! Grab your Kids Yoga Games Guide below.
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The post The Kids Yoga App appeared first on Go Go Yoga For Kids.
May 1, 2020
Go Go Yoga for Kids Teacher Appreciation Sale (that’s you!)
You have adapted with these changing times.
You want to learn and try new things.
You want to make a positive difference in the lives of children.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4th-May 8th and we want to celebrate you!
This Teacher Appreciation Sale is for you! It makes no difference if you are now homeschooling your children with schools closed, offering online or Kids Yoga Classes, or bettering yourself as you continually learn and try new things to reach the children that you love and care about. You deserve this!
For the first time ever, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, you can receive 25% off of our popular:
Our Online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training Kids Yoga Lesson Plan Bundle Bestselling Kids Yoga Books
Use code TEACHER25 at checkout to save 25% off these popular Kids Yoga Materials and Resources.
Join thousands of others in our popular Online
Go Go Yoga for Kids
Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training
Discover…
The secrets of teaching yoga to children.
Proven class management strategies so your classes flow effortlessly
Exact breathing exercises for calming and relaxing children.
The best yoga poses for growing kids
Yoga games galore that they will want to play again and again.
How to efficiently and easily plan a kids yoga class from beginning to end.
The best yoga props to use with children to make class memorable.
How to really create mindfulness in children
Proven strategies to manage and motivate your students so your class run seamlessly
Everything you need to know on how to teach yoga to children professionally.
If you’re looking to teach kids yoga and mindfulness, this is the place to begin. No prior yoga experience is needed.
Our Online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training is open to those who want to introduce yoga to children in healthy and engaging ways including:
EducatorsParentsHealth-Care ProfessionalsOther Child-Focused Professionals
Join over 5,400 others from all over the world with our Go Go Yoga for Kids Online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training. Don’t miss out on our teacher appreciation sale!
Go Go Yoga for Kids Lesson Plan Bundle
Use code TEACHER25 at checkout to receive 25% off
Use code TEACHER25 to save 25% off our bestselling Kids Yoga BooksNow is the perfect time to learn and try something new! I am here to support you every step of the way!
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Go Go Yoga Kids: Empower Kids for Life Through Yoga
- Sara J. Weis's profile
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