Story yoga

In a world where distraction and overstimulation reign supreme, yoga offers some welcome sanctuary amidst the chaos. Try these simple poses with your child, and reap the rewards together.

Instructions

Read these instructions out to your child, and follow the illustrations for visual guidance on how to bring the poses to life.

Tree pose  

Stand on one leg. Bend the other knee and place the sole of your foot on your inner thigh, not on your knee. Raise your arms up above your head and gently sway, like a tree in the breeze. Breathe in and out. Now, try the other side.

Frog pose

Squat down to the floor, with your knees apart, and your arms resting between your knees. Press your hands flat on the ground and then jump around like a frog! The floor is your pond.

Seed pose

Sit back on your heels and bring your forehead down to rest on the floor.  Let your arms rest alongside your body. Keep still. Breathe in and out. Pretend to be a seed in the garden. Where will you go when you grow? 

Butterfly pose

Sit on your buttocks and stretch your legs out in front of you. Sit up straight so your spine feels nice and tall. Bend your legs, pressing the soles of your feet together. Gently flap your legs like the wings of a butterfly.

Flower pose

Lift your bent legs, balancing on your sitting bones. Weave your arms under your legs, palms up. Pretend to be a flower. Bloom.

The benefits of yoga for children

Yoga helps children to:

1. Develop body awareness
2. Learn how to use their bodies in a healthy way
3. Build concentration and minimise distraction
4. Handle complex emotions in a productive way
5. Manage stress through breathing, awareness, meditation and healthy movement
6. Tune out in a mindful way, rather than simply numbing or avoiding stress through attachment to electronic devices
7. Improve flexibility, and strengthen their core