Rabbit pose (sasangasana) is an inversion. This particular version is a little different than the Bikram/Hot yoga sasangasana and is more kid friendly. Teach this pose while kneeling by making a triangle with your arms raised in front of you, hands clasped, elbows bent. Ask if the children can see the rabbit hole – the space in the centre of the triangle. Explain that rabbits hide in holes/burrows. Next perform the pose, instructing the children to simply watch you first, since its a little hard to hide their head in the hole and see what to do. Finally have the children perform the pose.

Rabbit Pose – Sasangasana

rabbit pose

• Kneel tall, intertwine your fingers, bend your elbows
• Place your forearms on the floor in front of you, elbows below your shoulders in a variation of Table position, arms making a triangle on the floor
• Place the crown of your head in the hole in the centre of the triangle made by your arms
• Curl your toes under
• Lift your hips high, pushing into the floor with your arms so your neck doesn’t collapse
• If it’s comfortable, walk your feet slightly toward your head
• Come down and relax

Benefits: refreshes the brain and reduces mental fatigue, stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands, promotes elasticity in the spine and back, strengthens the arms and back, teaches humility, alleviates asthma symptoms

Watch for more animal poses in the coming weeks which will tie together in an upcoming yoga adventure storyperfect for pre-school and elementary aged kids

This is a preparatory pose to headstand (salamba sirsasana). Stressing safety here – if you have a small group and are confident in your yoga instruction, supervision, and students’ abilities (listening skills, following instructions, previous yoga experience), you can progress to trying headstand against a wall by starting with Rabbit pose. This is a huge emotional and confidence boost for kids as they conquer fears and see the world from a new perspective. Again I would stress safety. Do not progress to headstand, or any other full inversion, unless you are confident in them safely performing the pose.

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