I’m often asked when should children begin to practice yoga. My response is always “They are never too young.” In fact my children began soon after birth and toddlers believe the entire world is their yoga mat while many of their intuitive actions resemble yoga poses.

My First Yoga: Animal Posesby Abbie Davies is a lovely book ideal for the youngest yogis. The book comprises 10 animals poses including Monkey, Flamingo, Dog, Lion, Butterfly and others, accompanied by basic explanations and one major benefit for each. I especially like Mark Dormand’s darling illustrations of the animals and then a child doing the pose on the facing page making it easy to use and understand.

Ideally this book is suited for children ages 18 months to 3 years old. Older children may find it too simple. Personally I’d love to see a board book version which could withstand the rigors of regular use by busy little people.

There is also a handy iPhone app which provides flashcards of the illustrations in the book along with a narrative. I can definitely see using this in daycare centres and pre-schools or even handing it to your toddlers for them to amuse themselves.

Truly My First Yoga is a wonderful introduction to yoga and a great way to share mind/body activities with the little ones in your life. Leave a comment saying how you share yoga with your little yogis and your name will be entered in the draw. Draw date: June 30, 2010.

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Recently Manley sent me a copy of Battle with the Bugs, the second audio story and workbook in the series of Human Body Detectives. Each story takes Marrin and Pearl, characters based upon and voiced by Manley’s daughters, on health mysteries where they are magically transported into the body on an adventure.

With each audio CD comes a workbook full of crosswords, games, puzzles, jokes and stickers. My children immediately gravitated toward the stickers and colouring pages, while I had to gaffaw a few times at the corny jokes.  For example:

• “What do you call a germ who wants to have a good time? A FunGi (a fun guy)“
• “What did the left eye say to the right eye? Between us something smells.” 

I was most impressed that Manley didn’t simplify terminology (how many children’s books do you know that use the word ‘macrophage?’), but provided real information in a kid friendly manner. And don’t be surprised if the adults in the room also learn a thing or two about how the body works. Here is a teaser of the book for your enjoyment.

If you are looking for a fun, creative resource where children are teaching children in an engaging way, you’ll want to get your hands on these great books. They can be found at Human Body Detectives and on Amazon.

I can’t wait for the release of The Heart Pumping Adventure, Marrin and Pearl’s third adventure into the human body, due out this spring.

Dr Heather Manley has generously donated a copy of Battle with the Bugs to one lucky Yoga In My School Reader. Leave a comment below to enter into the draw.

Extra entries:

Email this post to 3 deserving friends and cc: donna@yogainmyschool.com.

Contest runs through April 30, 2010. Good luck.

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Young children can benefit greatly from practicing yoga. They have seen their parents take out their mat at home or head off to yoga class and are eager to participate just like Mom or Dad in their own yoga session. Lazy Lizards Yoga offers a DVD, yoga mat and clothing specifically designed for ages three and up.

My five-year-old was thrilled the day her mat arrived. She eagerly unwrapped it on the kitchen floor and immediately starting doing the poses printed on it. A few days later she proudly brought her mat to Kids Yoga class where the other students checked it out throughly, again imitating the poses conveniently displayed on it’s surface. This yoga mat made her feel like the coolest kid in the class.

Some poses are given child-friendly names which was somewhat confusing to my child as she has been doing yoga for years and was somewhat confused when Tree Pose (vrksasana) was called Flamingo Pose. Yes, it does look like a Flamingo, but I always make an effort when teaching children to let them know the real pose names as well as any adaptations we’ve created. Renaming yoga poses, however, is nothing new to yoga for kids as the process (movement, breathing, looking inward, etc.) is more important than the label.

The program’s principle focus is obviously the children. Throughout the DVD, fun, creative poses and activities are taught at age appropriate levels. A sense of play and exploration prevails as the instructor gently leads children through a warm-up, mat poses, and additional activities in an outdoor park setting. My personal favourite was making a pizza which focused on forward bends. The DVD also gives adults a good sense of what a yoga class or practice will be like with pre-schoolers, and how to encourage them to try the poses and stay on task.

 The combination of DVD and mat help make practicing yoga an independent activity. Children are able to take ownership of their yoga practice which builds self-esteem.

Based on the Radiant Child Yoga program developed by Shakta Kaur Khalsa, Karen Allaire’s Lazy Lizards Yoga is a fun introduction to yoga for young children.

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 Upon learning of his good fortune Andre said,

 I am excited to have won a copy of What I See, I Can Be. I look forward to using it in kids yoga class in the near future.

Thanks to everyone who commented. I love to give things away and spread the yoga love. There are some more great give aways in the works so stayed tuned and keep those comments coming.

If you are looking to win a copy of Once Upon a Pose zip over to The Kids Yoga Resource as they are giving away a copy this week.

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Janet William’s book What I See, I Can Be is a lovely guided yoga flow for children. The book is beautiful with engaging colour illustrations of each object and two sweet children, one boy and one girl, doing the corresponding pose. Some of the poses included are mountain, tree, triangle (kite), cat, cobra, child’s (mouse), bow, and seated forward bend (oyster). The yoga flow itself is well thought out and child appropriate, with step-by-instructions that are easy to follow.

Williams has done a lovely job of engaging children’s imaginations with her vivid descriptions. I especially like Bridge pose (drawbridge).

I lie on my back and I place my feet on the ground. I bring my feet close to my bottom and my knees point to the sky. A ship is ready to leave the harbour and head out to sea. I put my hand on my back and lift my tummy high into the air. I breathe as the ship slowly sails under the bridge. I am a Bridge. When the ship is through, I slowly lower the Drawbridge by bringing my back flat onto the ground.

I fully appreciated the included audio CD as it enabled my five year old to follow along independently doing the poses with the book at the front of her yoga mat. When asked which pose was her favourite, she answered, “The lying down one” referring to the Meadow page where the children are lead through an active progressive muscle relaxation while in Corpse pose. I think this age is ideal for the book and they will enjoy the calming music while being able to do yoga all by themselves. The book is aimed at children 3-9 years old.

The series of supporting materials is one of the great things about this book. A colouring and activity book, poster of poses, and teacher resource materials help round out this resource for teachers, parents, day-care providers or health professionals who may not have a back ground in yoga but want children to enjoy its many benefits.

Williams firmly believes in promoting healthy and active children. This book is a wonderful way in which to do exactly that.

The book has a special introductory price of $23.97 CAN +taxes and is available at Childrens Yoga Books.

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Sandy of Balance Yoga Lounge.

The enthusiastic  winner of the Shanti Generation Yoga Skills for Youth Peace Makers DVD commented on the review Shanti Generation DVD A Winner for Teens and Teachers. She plans on using the DVD to introduce teens to yoga by involving physical education teachers. What a perfect match. Upon hearing of her good fortune she said,

 THANKS, this made my day!

We have made a couple attempts to schedule yoga classes for kids at the lounge, and have been searching for some tools to help parents and teachers understand the benefits of exposing kids to NON-competitive activities that allow them to learn how to BE.

 

I can’t wait to receive the DVD, as soon as I saw your post on face book- I had a good feeling. This may be the information we need to get the energy moving. My daughter is a 4th grade teacher in Kansas City and I can’t wait to share this information with her too. Namaste

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What a wonderful New Year’s surprise! I am excited to try out the kit with my kids. They all love art and especially colors and patterns, so I think they will be delighted with the Mini Mandala Designer.

Congratulations Lynette. Your Mini Mandala Designer Classic will be in the mail today.

Watch for more give-aways throughout the coming year. Become a Fan on Facebook so as not to miss a single one.

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