Teaching Shapes with Yoga

Using yoga as a tool to learn shapes is fun, kinaesthetic learning at its best.

Children are able to become the shapes in various forms and sizes, using their hands, their bodies and their friends. This is an ideal way for children to experience and explore the world and move from non-verbal, physical understanding to abstract, mental comprehension. Performing shape yoga helps children grasp, internalize, and retain concepts in a creative and informative manner. In addition, using yoga to teach shapes improves communication, cooperation, problem-solving, creative thinking, analysis, observation and other skills key to success in school and life.

Learn Shapes Easily with Kids Yoga

The booklet, Shapes: A Kids Yoga Class, is ideal for pre-school, kindergarten and elementary school classes. I have taught this class with children aged 2-12 in schools, day cares, kids and family yoga classes, and at yoga summer camps. There are lots of ideas for various ages so use what works best for your group.

Have fun and play shape yoga today!

Shapes: A Kids Yoga Class

Shape yoga makes learning playful, novel and enjoyable: exactly what young children love. The 15 page booklet is packed with ideas on how to create shapes using yoga including mudrās (hand gestures), individual, partner and group poses, breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, and a guided visualization. There are also numerous additional resources (games, music, crafts, books, flashcards) to support your shape yoga experience. Have fun and play shape yoga today!

Price: $7.93

Shapes: A Kids Yoga Class includes mudrās and poses for:

• circle
• diamond
• triangle
• star
• crescent
• rectangle
• zig-zag
• heart

Additional resources:

• Yoga Games including – What Shape am I?, Lost My Shape, Shape Tumbling, Shape Patterns, Star/Black Hole
• Music suggestions
• Numerous links to crafts, printables, worksheets, mandalas
• 10 Children’s literature recommendations
• Guided Visualization (perfect for savasana)
• Shape Flashcards

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Yogainmyschool.com is thrilled to offer three downloadable kids yoga classes. Family Time, Man on the Moon and Tour of India are fun, engaging and a great way to teach yoga to children. Expert in yoga for children and teens, Donna Freeman leads these 30 minute classes and is joined by young yogis who demonstrate real kids practicing yoga, making the videos easy use at home or in the classroom.

Based on stories found in Once Upon a Pose, these classes reinforce themes taught in school, involve children physically, mentally and emotionally in the learning process, reduce stress through movement, breathing and relaxation, and improve mental and physical health and well-being.

Available for download in both PC and MAC formats, these videos are now available for the introductory price of only US$9.99 each.

Visit the Yogainmyschool.com Store for details/to purchase.

Practicing yoga with kids has never been easier!

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Aesop’s Fables are well loved the world over for their entertainment value and moral education. Here Sydney Solis adapts The Farmer and the Fox into a yoga story perfect for kids yoga classes. See also The Lion and the Mouse from last week.

From Sydney Solis of Storytime Yoga – See original post Mercy or Revenge? Aesop Stories and Yoga for Children

There was once a farmer who had a large wheat farm. One day he discovered that a fox had been eating some of his chickens. Furious, he vowed revenge. “I’ll get that fox!”

The farmer finally caught the fox.  ”Now you will pay for what you did to me!’ He soaked a rope in oil, tied it to the fox’s tail and set it on fire. The fox was aflame, but it squirmed and broke lose. It ran from the farmer and dashed into the wheat fields that were ready for harvest. All of the farmer’s wheat fields caught fire, destroying his farm and all of his crops.

Yoga Asana:

Who is this story about?

Farmer: Warrior I, virabrhadrasana I, II and III

Fox: Downward dog - adho mukha svanasana

What happens in this story?

Fire: Bound angle pose, baddha konasana

How does the story end?

Running through the fields on fire – Upward facing bow pose, urdva dhanurasana – then rolling side to side, spreading fire as you roll. Then run around the room!

Shavasana and Meditation:

See the farmer in your mind’s eye. See the fox. Think of someone that has harmed you and who bothers you. Smile at that person. Send love and forgiveness.

Discussion:

How are you like the farmer? Have you ever been angry about something someone did? What happened? What did you do? What was the outcome? How would you change what you did? How are you like the fox? Was there a time when you harmed another? What happened? What did you do to make amends for what you did? Is it ever too late to apologize or forgive? Does two wrongs make a right?

Think of a time when you were angry. Where do you feel the anger in your body? In your belly? Heart? Touch that spot. What is the emotion behind the anger? Were you shamed, afraid, betrayed?

How can we deal with the anger we may feel when we are wronged?

• Breathe
• Take a time out
• Talk about it with someone

For older children and teens: Contemplate and discuss the following quotes:

• “An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.” – Ghandi
• “Mercy is setting the prisoner free only to discover the prisoner was me.”
• “In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over he is his superior.” – Sir Francis Bacon.
• “If you are slapped on one check, turn the other too.” The Bible Matthew 5:43
• I mount the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Affirmation:

• I am peace in every step. I am peace in every breath. I am peace.

If you enjoyed this post and are looking for more check out Yoga for Literacy and the Language Arts Page. Be sure to subscribe (RSS or e-mail) or sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on this topic.

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Ah, Dinosaurs! Kids love ‘em and most pre-schools, early education programs and elementary schools include units which study these amazing creatures. So if you have a budding paleontologist in your home or are looking for a fun way to get your kids moving, learning and engaging their imagination here are a number of suggestions for Dinosaur Yoga. A word of warning before beginning: some children get scared of an entire room full of kids roaring and imitating dinosaurs and may end up in tears. Be sure to let everyone know that this is simply pretend and for fun. If someone is not comfortable with the noise level or the fierce nature of the poses encourage them to cover their ears or have the entire group be quiet dinosaurs.

Dinosaur Yoga

Dinosaur Breath: Inhale through the nose and exhale with a roar! Repeat. Vary the volume, length of exhale/inhale.

Pterodactyl: Sitting or standing use your arms as the wings in Flying Bird Breath: raise your wings as you inhale, exhale and lower your wings. Vary the speed of each part of the breath to glide, swoop and dive through the air. My classes often fly through the space, skimming over the water, diving down mountain cliffs, soaring on the up currents, plunging to grab a prehistoric fish from the lake, etc.

Dinosaur Nest: Have students become dinosaur eggs in a nest, huddled together in child’s pose. Depending on the number of children, feel free to have more than one nest. One child per nest gets to be the Maiasaura mother and take care of the nest, going to collect food and feed the young as they hatch. Alternatively have them hatch out of their nest and imitate baby Maiasaura – this is super cute.

T-Rex: Stand with feet shoulder’s width apart, knees bent, hips extending behind you in chair pose. Bend arms at the elbows close to your sides, hands hanging down with two fingers extended for claws. Growl and hunt for prey trying to imitate the tyrant lizard.

Velociraptor: Come into Warrior III by stepping forward with one foot, lifting the back leg off the ground and leaning forward. While balancing on one leg use your arms to try to catch imaginary dinosaurs. Repeat on the other side.

Triceratops: Sit in horse stance with legs wide apart, bending the knees. Make your arms into horn shapes by bending the elbows and aiming them forward at an angle, reach the neck long to create three horns and imagine the bony frill.

Brachiosaurus: Version A – stand in mountain pose and reach arms as high as they can to eat leave off the trees. Version B – step into standing splits by placing one foot in front of the other then raising the back leg as high as possible while lowering the hands to the ground and head toward the knee. Use the raised foot as the brachiosaurus’ head to eat with the toes nibbling the leaves off the branches. Repeat on the other side.

Ankylosaurus: Come into Table pose with the hands under the shoulders, knees under the hips. Imagine your back is covered with bony armor. Extend one leg out behind you and gently swing it back and forth using the foot as a club tail. Switch legs and repeat.

Woolly Mammoth: Imitate a woolly mammoth by crossing the arms, keeping the top arm extended to use as the trunk, bend the bottom arm and bring the fist to your chin to create a tusk. Imagine thick shaggy hair and long curly tusks as you slowly cross the frozen tundra and glaciers. Pretend to pick up items off the floor with your trunk.

Dino Stomps: Lift one leg high, say “boom!” as you stomp the foot firmly onto the ground. Repeat alternating legs. This is a lovely way to ground and connect with the earth. Or play Laurie Berkner’s We Are the Dinosaurs while children act out the song.

More Dino Music:

Visit Dinomusic.com.au for lots of fun options.

Game:

Dinosuar Hide ‘n Seek: Have children hide in child’s pose throughout the space. Teacher (or one student in turn) pretends to be T-Rex looking for a meal (keep it fun & light) and dinosaur stomps among the sleeping dinosaurs.

Craft Suggestions:

• Dinosaur Paper Plate Craft from Kids Craft Weekly
• Dinosaur Feet from Activity Village.

Additional Fun:

I fell in love with these cute Dinosaur jokes on book marks to print and give to kids or simply use to have fun with during class.

Much thanks to all those who contributed ideas including Sandi Posey of Enlightened Child, Amy Bevan of The PranaMama, Lisa Flynn of Childlight Yoga, Aruna Kathy Humphrys of Young Yoga Masters and Jennifer Hess of Karmaspot’s Blog. Love it when we collaborate!

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Aesop’s Fables are well loved the world over for their entertainment value and moral education. Here Sydney Solis adapts The Lion and the Mouse into a yoga story perfect for kids yoga classes. Watch next week for The Farmer and the Fox.

As told by Sydney Solis of Storytime Yoga – See original post Mercy or Revenge? Aesop Stories and Yoga for Children

Once upon a time there was a great lion.  Roaming in the jungle, he spotted a tiny mouse and pounced on it. “Ah ha! I have caught you!” The lion roared. “Now I will have a tasty snack!”

The little mouse shook in fear, but found the courage to say, “Lion, please, I beg you. Do not eat me. If you spare my life, I promise to return the favor and help you one day.”

“Ha! How can such a little mouse do anything important for such a great creature as I? I’m hungry!” And he lifted the mouse up by its tail and opened his great jaws wide.

“Please! I am sure I can help you one day! Give me a chance. Such a great creature as you surely has the power to spare some one his life!”

“All right. I will let you free,” the lion said, and went to sleep under a tree.

The next day, the mouse met the lion again, but  this time the lion was caught in a net from a trap that hunters had set for him. The Lion looked at the mouse with sad eyes and said, “Dear friend, can you help me?

And the little mouse looked at this great beast trapped and helpless. Then the mouse said, “Of course!” And went to work gnawing the ropes with his teeth and setting the lion free.

Yoga Asana:

Who is this story about?

Lion – Lion pose, simhasana, – roar like a lion, the great courageous and powerful creature that you are.

Mouse – Child pose, balasana, – then squat, bring hands to chest like a mouse and walk around squeaking. No matter how small you are, you are capable of big things!

What happens in this story?

Net – Upward facing bow pose, urdva dhanurasana, or upward boat, urdva navasana, The trap of pride, fear, anger, hatred and revenge.

Gnawing – Opening and closing mouth wide, exaggerating chewing motions, puckering mouth to exercise the muscles of the face.

What is the benefit of showing mercy?

An Open and Free Heart , Peace and Freedom- Camel pose, - ustrasana

Shavasana and Meditation:

Visualize a lion in side your heart. See its radiant, golden mane. Feel its strength, courage and power. The lion’s power comes from his peaceful abiding. He knows that his strength and power comes from divine goodness, forgiveness and love. He does not harm others but grants them mercy and freedom instead.

See a little mouse inside your heart. Know that that little mouse is capable of great things – kindness, intelligence, quick-thinking. Nothing is ever too small to be of no importance. Know that you are important. Practice acts of kindness small and large.

Discussion:

How are you like the lion? Have you ever had the opportunity to have power over another? What did you do?

How are you like the mouse? Have you ever been bullied or threatened by someone bigger and more powerful than yourself? What did you do?

What do you think would have happened if the lion ate the mouse instead of freeing it? How would that have affected the lion’s ability to be freed from the net?

Make a list of creatures in your life that are small and helpless. How do you treat your pet, baby sister or the spider in the bathtub? How does remembering the way you treated them make you feel? Happy? Proud? Ashamed?

How can we treat others who are different from us in looks, clothing, language, religion and nationality with respect and dignity?

Look at your body. Every human being has the same fingers, toes, bones, ligaments, organs and muscles.

Affirmation:

• I use my power for love and mercy toward all creatures in the world.
• I treat others as I wish to be treated.

If you enjoyed this post and are looking for more check out Yoga for Literacy and the Language Arts Page. Be sure to subscribe (RSS or e-mail) or sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on this topic.

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Body Chalk Board is a great way to increase body awareness and sensory perception. Learning to rely on touch alone is a challenging skill and helps to focus attention and improve mindfulness. In the ‘olden days’ my sisters and I would play Body Chalk Board on long car trips. (Yes, we did have cars back then.) Today, I often use this technique when reviewing spelling words with my own children or often to simply tell them I love them with a short message written on their palm. It is always a hit when we pair up during kids yoga class and children try to spell the names of the poses on one another’s backs before practicing them.  This game is also fantastic for learning cooperation and communication skills. You may even want to try it with your teens to keep them connected to their body.

Body Chalk Board

Divide group into pairs. Sitting in easy pose (sukhasana), often referred to as criss cross, with one partner in front of the other use your partner’s back as a chalk board. Using a finger draw numbers, shapes or letters of the alphabet on the ‘chalk board’. The person whose back is the ‘chalk board’ guesses what is being drawn. Wipe the ‘chalk board’ clean with flat palms from top to bottom or side to side before switching roles.

For more of a challenge send a message via the ‘chalk board’ that the person in front writes down letter by letter as it is received.

To encourage sensory development and awareness do the same thing using other parts of the body: stomach, soles of feet, palms of hands. This is a wonderful game for children with sensory processing challenges (SPD, Autism, ADHD, etc).

Visit our Yoga Games page for more amazing & fun yoga games to enjoy yoga with kids and teens.

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Lynn Hasselberger, founder of myEARTH360, is a woman on a mission to make everyday living environmentally friendly, kind to both people and the environment. Fueled by her eco-passion, she started with custom designed reusable water bottles for kids and has since developed an entire site packed with items from eco-friendly school supplies to green pet products as well as providing eco news and tips on her blog. Lynn joins us to talk about sustainable living with tips on how to make every day Earth Day and much more.

Original Air Date: April 21, 2011

Connect with Lynn on Facebook or Twitter and be sure to check out all the inspiring eco-loving products on myEARTH360.com. The wildflower notecards are my fave!

Coming on May 4th our next interview will feature blissologist Eoin Finn. Don’t miss his 5 Big Easys to discovering bliss.

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A Kids Yoga Class to Make a Difference

Since March 11, 2011 the world has been reeling from the devastation and destruction caused by the earthquakes, tsunami and potential nuclear threat in Japan.

I lived in Japan during the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995. I remember waking up that morning to a moving home even though we were 3 hours away from the epicentre. Three months later we visited Kobe. I was amazed at the many buildings, highways & other infrastructure that was in ruins. We spent one memorable afternoon with a group of 250 orphans of the quake playing games, singing songs and having fun, trying to bring some joy and laughter back into their world. It was a heart wrenching and humbling experience.

Prompted by those memories, concerns for my many friends who currently reside in Japan and in an effort to provide aid to those in need at this time, I developed a Japan inspired kids/family yoga class. I will be offering this class during lunch hours at schools throughout Edmonton, Alberta on a donation basis. All donations will then be sent to the Red Cross for use in Japan.

I post the class here to encourage others to do something similar. I know that Next Generation Yoga is leading a donation based class at New World Leadership Children’s Academy in Encinitas, CA on March 18th, 2011. Together we can provide an outlet for children to offer meaningful, positive aid which will hopefully help heal and relieve the suffering in some small way those affected by these disasters.

Japan Inspired Kids/Family Yoga Class #1

I suggest printing photos to correspond with each pose which will help those unfamiliar with Japan and then having participants choose them at random.

Mount Fuji – mountain pose, tadasana

At 3776 m/12,389 ft Mount Fuji, known as Fuji-san in Japan, is the highest mountain in Japan and is located 100 km/60 miles SW of Tokyo. You can seen from there on a clear day. An exceptionally symmetrical, dormant volcano which hundreds of thousands of sightseers and climbers visit each year. A popular Japanese saying suggests anyone is a fool not to climb Mount Fuji once – but a fool to do it twice. The mountain is considered a sacred site.

Samurai – warrior I pose, virabhadrasana I, or crescent pose with samurai sword welding arm actions

Term used to describe the Japanese nobility of pre-industrial Japan particularly the warrior class. They followed a set of rules/code of conduct called the Bushido, the way of the warrior, which included loyalty, honor, obedience, duty and self-sacrifice. If a samurai behaved dishonorably the only way to regain their honor was through seppuku (ritual suicide), considered an admirable, deed of bravery.

Yabusame (Archers on Horseback) - horse stance with archer arms, alternatively have adults become the horses and children the archers

A type of mounted archery which dates from the Kamarkura period (1185-1333) and today is considered a ritual, not a sport, due to its solemn style and religious aspects. A yabusame archer gallops down a 255 m track controlling his horse with his knees while shooting three arrows at targets along the way which represent attacking samurai. The bow is a symbol of power and authority in Japan.

Koinoburi (Koi Fish Kite used to celebrate Children’s Day) – fish pose, matsuyasana

The symbol of Children’s Day( Kodomo no hi, celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month – May5th, and is part of the Golden Week celebrations) these carp shaped streamers can be found flying above homes with sons. The black & biggest carp represents the father, the next biggest and red the mother, subsequent carp vary in color and size with blue for first son, then green, purple, orange in smaller sizes for subsequent sons.

Cherry Blossoms - flower pose (individually or group)

Known as Sakura, cherry blossoms are a symbol of good fortune and represent impermanence and mortality (mono no aware) due to their extreme beauty and quick death. Hanami is a centuries old practice of picnicing under a canopy of delicate, pink sakura in full bloom and is enjoyed with coworkers, classmates, friends and family. This past Tuesday one of my husband’s friends sent a photo from Tokyo of  the sakura in bloom commenting on their inspiring beauty amid these trying times.

Hello Kitty – cat/cow poses, marjaryasana & bitilasana

A fictional character of Japanese pop culture developed by Sanrio which can be found on all sorts of consumer products ranging from school supplies to fashion accessories. You can even get a Hello Kitty Mastercard, toaster, computer accesories and Fender guitar. Introduced in the 70s, today Hello Kitty is extremely popular worldwide with pre-school to adults females with a nearly cult like following in Asia.

Sushi Rolls – sushi rolls/burritos – roll up child in yoga mat

Sushi is a Japanese dish made of seasoned rice topped with seafood and other ingredients. Sushi rolls, makizushi, are when sushi is wrapped around or inside of nori (dried, pressed seaweed). There are a number of varieties including futomaki (thick rolls) with multiple fillings, hosomake (thin rolls) with one filling, temaki (hand rolls) a cone shaped roll eaten with the hands, and uramaki (inside out rolls) where rice is on the outside. Popular fillings include cucumber, carrot, tuna, salmon, crab, and avocado.

Shinto Torii (Gate) – gate pose, parighasana (individually or partners)

Shinto, Way of the Gods,  is the indigeous spirituality of Japan and teaches that everything has a kami or spirit. Certain places are considered to have an unusally sacred spirit about them and are often near or on shine grounds which are treated with the upmost respect. One or more torii (literally bird perch) mark the entrance to the shrine and symbolize the transition from the profane to the sacred.

Cell Phones – talk on your foot phone – bring foot to your ear, text, etc. remember to answer both phones

In Japan cell phones are called keitai denwa (portable phone) or simply keitai. Much of the Japanese population own a cell phone to the point where they are ubiquitous with Japanese modern life. There is even a” keitai (mobile phone) culture.” Many Japanese phones offer additional capabitilites and the latest technology. Phone charms and stickers are a popular way of individualizing your cell phone.

Honda – drive your car forward & back on your mat by sitting with your legs in front of you and scooting along on your sitz bones one side at a time, or boat pose, navasana, with steering actions & turns (twists)

The Japanese automotive industry is one of the most prominent industries in the world well kown for its quality standards. Lead by companies such as Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Yamaha and others, the automotive industry is key to the Japanese economy.

Shinkansen (Bullet Train) – sit class participants one in front of the other, legs out on each side, knees bent, inch forward in unison while making ‘choo-choo’ sounds (not exactly a ‘bullet’ but lots of fun)

Shinkansen refers to a network of high-speed railway lines and trains which connect major centres on the islands of Honshu and Kyushu. The Tokaido Shinkansen was built in time for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 and is the oldest and busiest Shinkansen line in the world with over 151 million passengers a year. Shinkansen trains travel at speeds up to 300 km/h (186 mph).

Japan Inspired Kids/Family Yoga Class #2

Alternatively you could relate the story of Momotaro (The Peach Boy), a much loved Japanese folk tale, and use yoga poses for the various characters.

• Peach – child’s pose, balansana
• Momotaro – warrior II, virabhradasana II
• Dog – downward facing dog, adho mukha savanasana
• Monkey – monkey antics
• Pheasant – pigeon pose, eka pada rajakapotasana, or eagle pose, garudasana
• Boat – boat pose, navasana
• Cart – wheel barrow partner pose

Japan Inspired Crafts for Kids

If you want a craft you could make Origami Cranes or Koinobori(Koi Fish Kite).

For additional ideas on helping children cope with the tragedies in Japan please visit Japanese Tsunami Folk tale to Tell in this Time of Tragedy on the Storytime Yoga Blog.

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How Yoga Promotes Early Literacy Skills

Well thought out kids yoga classes can assist in developing literacy skills. Learning to read is a key skill acquired between the ages of 4 and 7 years old. Most academic and career accomplishments depend on success in building a solid reading foundation in Grades 1-3.  A children’s yoga class can facilitate this process in numerous ways thereby supporting lifelong reading competency.

Build Phonemic Awareness

Phonemic awareness is the ability to distinguish sounds (phonemes) in spoken language and is an essential auditory process for emergent readers. Incorporating segmenting, alliteration and rhyming into kids yoga classes are easy ways to facilitate phonemic awareness.  Using music and nursery rhymes when teaching poses also develops sound appreciation. One such example is when practicing Bridge pose you may include the instructions “Build a bridge, bring your bottom to the sky” (alliteration) or sing London Bridge Is Falling Down.

Increase Vocabulary & Comprehension

Kids yoga classes contribute to the background of real world experience. Children are exposed to a wide range of vocabulary while following instructions to complete poses, discussing themes and participating in guided visualizations. This exposure combined with movement and relaxation builds neural systems and improves comprehension which carries over into the classroom.

Enhance Self Esteem & Self Regulation

How a child feels about themselves impacts their ability to learn. Yoga teaches self-acceptance, kindness and discipline in a non-competitive environment where children are encouraged to learn about their bodies, their minds and their emotions. Breathing exercises and visualizations teach focus, relaxation and body awareness. In addition, meditation and mindfulness techniques improve self-regulation which has been linked to the development of reading competence as children mature.

Teacher Training in Yoga for Literacy

Well trained kids yoga instructors will incorporate reading readiness strategies into their classes for children. Yogainmyschool.com offers teacher training on Yoga for Literacy; please contact donna@yogainmyschool.com for more information.

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Thirteen years. It took thirteen years for me to finally figure out crow pose.

I primarily teach yoga to kids and teens, and when I tell them this their eyes get big as they do some quick math and realize it took me longer to learn this pose than most of them have been alive.

So, what took me so long? I could blame it on the fact that I was never in a class where the teacher took the time to explain the details of the pose, if we even attempted arm balances. Or, it could be the three shoulder dislocations and subsequent surgery to shorten the ligaments. (Gotta love life’s detours.) Or maybe it was my mental approach, always thinking “This is a tough one” or “Why can’t I get this?” which set me up for failure without even knowing it.

However, I never gave up. I was intrigued with the idea of crow pose, all arm balances in fact. They are so graceful, so powerful and simply defy gravity. I wanted that in my life. So I kept at it. Picked up techniques here and there. I continued to teach crow pose but found that the students who could achieve it were those who could figure out the physics and balance on their own. You know those who naturally just pop right up. I celebrated their success while working on my own.

Finally, I found …

Read the rest at elephant journal and discover how struggling with a pose can inspire children and teenagers to reach for their dreams.

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