The Kids Yoga Resource

Celebrating May Day with Children

So many holidays now are being commercialized and marketed towards buying gifts, while getting further and further from their natural origins. It is important to create and sustain culture, traditions and rituals with children and families not revolving around consumerism. In doing so, children develop a strong sense of belonging within their family and community, they practice empathy, kindness, and awareness of others, while being mindful and appreciative of the simplicity of a new day, season, or time with loved ones. May Day is celebrated on May 1 as a welcoming of the return of Spring. The day is rooted in agriculture, falling in between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. May Day is a time to celebrate the blooming of flowers, warming of the ground and connecting with the changing seasons.

May Day celebrations can be seen across the globe. For example, in Scotland and Ireland the day is celebrated with a bonfire and the washing of one’s face with morning dew at sunrise. The tradition of the May Pole where young people would skip around a pole in the center of a village holding colorful ribbons attached to the top of the pole, is celebrated in England. In Hawaii they call May 1 Lei Day, where you make a flowered necklace and wear it all day to represent the Aloha Spirit of the Islands. In Finland you, will find people having a picnic or out for brunch and eating funnel cake as a celebration of May Day. Here in the US, making May Baskets of flowers to leave on the doors of friends, family and neighbors is a tradition still practiced today.

Celebrating May Day with your family can tie into your cultural roots or pave a new way to celebrate Spring and appreciate the Earth. Here are six ways you can create meaning and ritual with your family the week of May 1^st this year, and every year. It is never too late to start a new tradition!

Make your own May Day Basket

Materials:

• Paper plate or card stock paper
• Markers, Crayons, or watercolor paints
• Paper towel
• Plastic baggie or plastic wrap
• Ribbon or string
• Hole punch
• Stapler
• Scissors

Directions:

Allow your child to decorate a paper plate or piece of cardstock with the drawing material of their choice. Roll the completed paper into a cone shape and staple. Make a hole on either side of the top of the cone and use ribbon to create a hanger for the cone. Gather flowers and greenery outside from trees, bushes, and the ground (mindfully collecting and showing appreciation for the abundance). Wrap the cut stems in a moist paper towel and place in a baggie or wrap with plastic. Place the bouquet in the paper hanger. Add a handmade Happy May Day card if you choose. Go to a friend, family, or neighbor’s house (unannounced) hang the flowers on the doorknob, ring the doorbell and run away! Your children will get a kick out of this part and it could not be more suitable for the socially distanced world we are currently living in.

Image from: https://www.skiptomylou.org/10-simple-may-day-baskets-to-celebrate-may-day/

Make a Flower Crown

Materials:

• Scissors
• Flowers or vines
• Twine or bread ties

Directions:

Gather flowers or vines (forsythias are abundant in New England and work well, along with willow and Ivy) and make an abstract circle, using the twine to tie them into place. Place other wildflowers if desired. Wear with pride!

Image From: https://www.facebook.com/sarahssilks/photos/pcb.10161127283064988/10161127281049988

Listen to and sing a traditional May Day Song

My favorite is “My Roots Go Down” by Sarah Pirtle Listen to the song here:

https://childrensmusic.org/songs/environment/101/my-roots-go-down

The lyrics are:

CHORUS:

My roots go down, down to the earth.
My roots go down, down to the earth.
My roots go down, down to the earth.
My roots go down.

Many new verses have been created:

* I am a pine tree on a mountainside.
* I am a willow swaying in a storm.
* I am a waterfall skipping home.
* I am a wildflower pushing through stones.
* I am a dolphin leaping high.
* I am white pond lily healing you.
* I am a mouth tasting life.

Go Barefoot!

Get outside and let you little ones (and yourself!) be barefoot in your yard or a safe grassy place. Talk about how the grass feels on the soles of your feet. Think about and discuss the roots and plant and animal life that are growing beneath you. Squish your toes in the mud, let the chilly morning dew wake up your senses, get grounded (term used for describing energy transfer when your body comes in direct contact with the ground or natural elements) and connect with the Earth. For more information about the benefits of being barefoot visit https://www.ecoexplorers.com.au/5-reasons-why-you-should-let-your-child-go-barefoot/

Make a Ribbon Wand

Materials:

• A stick
• Colorful ribbon
• Staple gun or glue gun (optional)

Directions:

Find a stick on the ground and tie or adhere ribbon onto the top of the stick. Use to dance, wave around and have fun. Option: Use paint, string, or tissue paper to decorate the stick before you put the ribbons on. Note: Try using a shower curtain ring or bangle bracelet instead of a stick and wrap the ribbon around it for a safer option for the wee littles!

Image from: https://www.makeandtakes.com/stick-ribbon-streamers

Have a Fire and Read a Book Out Loud

Sitting around a campfire is an electronics-free sensory experience. The smell of the burning wood, the sounds of the crackling logs, the warmth of the coals and the mesmerizing dance and glow of the flames, creates a mindful and memorable experience. Of course, bringing in the taste of marshmallows is sure to put a sticky smile on your child’s face. Bring out a Spring picture book and read it aloud around the fire. If it is nighttime a flashlight will add to the interest!

Here are some Springtime book suggestions:

Mae the Mayfly, by Denise Brennan Nelson

The Curious Garden, by Peter Brown

Seeds and Trees, by Brandon Walden

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, by Kate Messner

The Story of the Root Children, by Sibylle van Olfers

May Day is a time to celebrate Spring and spend time outdoors with friends and family. The traditions and rituals of celebration can take on your own twist, just try to create a tradition that can last and perhaps get passed on within your family for generations!

Get outside and have fun together!

Written by: Sonya Wirtanen, RYT - Sonya has been practicing yoga since 2005, and loves the way all aspects of the practice have been sprinkled into her life throughout the years. She received her 200-hour yoga teacher certification from Frog Pond Yoga in Princeton, MA and has continued her studies at Konalani Ashram in Hawaii and ChildLight Education Company. Sonya is an AmeriCorps National Alumni and holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Fitchburg State University. Over the last 20 years she has held various roles in the field of education including...read more here.

Join Sonya and her six-month-old daughter this May 11-June 1, 2021 for the ChildLight Parent Group, designed to connect like-minded parents to socialize, support and hold space for one another during their parenting journey. Share stories, developmental milestones, self-care, and mini baby and me yoga practice.

 

Additional Source: www.almanac.com

Star Wars Yoga Class Plan: Created and Written by Ridge Morris, 4 years old

Ridge is co-owner, Megan Morris’, four year old son and has been a big fan of Star Wars for years! After spending a long night “battling” air travel challenges, Megan mindfully chose to spend the day with her kids. Leisure time is clearly how creativity is born! 

 

1. Medical Droid Pose:

 

2. Anakin Becomes Darth Vader Pose:

 

3. Trash Compactor Pose: 

 

4. Death Star Pose [VIDEO]:

 

 

Enjoy!

 

Make Every Day Earth Day: A Children’s Yoga Class Plan

Earth Day in April provides the perfect opportunity to honor what the Earth provides for us, and discuss how we can be kind to our earth today and every day. After all, in the words of Dr. Seuss’ Lorax, “Unless….” Someone like you cares….

Most of the following activities can be found in Lisa Flynn’s Yoga for Children book.

OPENING
Sit in a circle and invite students to place their hands on their bellies before taking 3 Balloon Breaths. Ask the students “What does the earth provide for us?” and,  “Why do you think it’s important to protect it?”

Read The Earth Book by Todd Parr.

Next, talk about reducing, reusing and recycling. Bring in some examples of common everyday items that we can reduce, reuse and recycle --- plastic bags, newspapers, egg cartons, milk jugs, magazines, yogurt containers, baby food jars, etc.. Think about how many times a week we use these items and how much extra garbage this contributes to the earth. If we just reduce, reuse, or recycle some of these items, we can reduce our imprint on the Earth. Introduce students to the Chant/Motto – “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. When saying “Reduce!” – hit the floor with hands; “Reuse!” – clap hands together; “Recycle!” - raise arms in the air, rolling your forearms in a circle to look like a Recycle sign. Repeat 3x. 

CENTERING
Next, with all the students in a circle, begin by passing around a Globe Ball (beach ball). Pass the Globe Ball around the the circle. While passing (or tossing or rolling), sing the song “We’ve got the whole world in our hands” (sung to the tune of “He’s got the whole world in his hands”). Emphasizing we all have a responsibility to care for the Earth – it takes all of us working together to take care of the Earth.

BREATHWORK
Stop and Smell the Flowers Breath--inhaling to smell the flowers, exhale out. Option to use pinwheel flower here to see the pinwheels move when they breathe out.

WARMUP
So many beautiful things can be found on Earth – Let’s thank the Sun & Moon, which gives us light and darkness on Earth (Sun and Moon Salutes). Next, add in the Warrior series  –chanting “Reduce!” (Warrior I), “Reuse!” (Warrior 2), and “Recycle!”  (Warrior 3-with hands making circle/recycle symbol in the air). Return to Mountain.

SONGS
“Under One Sky”, a ChildLight original from the “I Grow With Yoga” album, which can be found on ITunes, Spotify or CDbaby.com.  Integrate the associated poses mentioned throughout the song.

YOGA POSES
Let’s celebrate the beauty that’s found around us on Earth, starting on the Land: Mountain, Tree, Bird, Worms (Cobra), Flowers, Butterflies, Ladybugs (Child’s Pose);

In the Ocean: Waves or Sea Weed (Moving your Arms while seated in Hero’s Pose), Fish, Jellyfish.  

In the Desert: Cactus (Tree with cactus arms), Camel, Scorpion (Spider), Pyramid (Triangle);

In the Arctic: Seal, Polar Bear (Down Dog), Igloo (Table Top).

GROUP/PARTNER POSES/CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Sunflower pose –Ask to students to come to sit on the floor in a circle with their feet facing the middle of the circle, legs outstretched in front of them. Have the students inhale their arms up the air, exhale extend forward touching their toes, inhale arms back up and then on an exhale, slowly lower all the way down onto their backs, with their feet still connected in the middle. Connect arms to create a group Earth Pose. Take a photo from above.

TRANSITION
From Sunflower Pose, have all the little yogis slowly crawl like little caterpillars back to their mats and roll onto their backs.

RELAXATION
Have students place their hands on their bellies and watch their belly rise and fall with their breath. Remind them of the journey they went on around the Earth, how they were able to help the earth by Reducing, Reusing and Recycling, and how they can honor and celebrate Mother Earth by taking care of her.

CLOSING
“Plant a tree or flower, Give it some water and clean air, Treat it with loving care,
And soon you will see, Everyone can make a difference like you and me;
So, make this day and Every Day, Earth Day –
Keep your footprints on Earth clean, green and light;
and this lets us keep Mother Earth beautiful and beaming bright.”   

(I like to read this poem I wrote for my sons, which serves as a reminder that we can and should do small things every day to show our respect for the Earth.)

TAKE AWAYS: Use recycled materials to make flowers: Crumble Pieces of Recycled Newspaper thread onto a pipe cleaner OR Cupcake Holders/Coffee Filters glued on top of recycled, washed popsicle sticks.

Take some time this month to send some loving kindness to the Earth for all that it provides. Remember to also take a step out of the studio, breathe in the fresh air, and be thankful for all the beauty the Earth brings – from the sun and moon, to the mountains and oceans, to the butterflies and bees and, of course, the trees. Enjoy all the natural beauty around us and consider how we can continue to reduce the footprints we leave on the Earth throughout the coming year so we can sustain the Earth’s beauty for years to come.

Larissa Noto’s love for yoga begin in 1998 when she took her first yoga class for a gym requirement in college. From that moment on, she was hooked—and she has continued to practice yoga since that time. Larissa is a certified Childlight Yoga Instructor (Yoga & Mindfulness for Children and Advanced Teacher Concepts) and has completed a Yoga 4 Classrooms Professional Development Workshop.  To further deepen her practice, Larissa completed 250 Hour Yoga Teacher Training at Easton Yoga, Restorative Teacher Training with Jillian Pransky at Yoga Works, and is currently seeking her 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training through The Yoga Loft of Bethlehem. In teaching both children and adults, Larissa firmly believes that yoga can be made accessible to all those who seek to practice.   She is passionate that yoga and mindfulness can and should be an essential component in all school programs from infancy through high school. Larissa currently teaches adults and children at Easton Yoga, Easton Yoga Allentown, The Yoga Loft of Bethlehem, and The Pratyush Sinha Foundation. When she isn’t sharing her love of yoga with others, she serves as a lawyer, professor and parent support guide for those whose children have special needs, and enjoys her life as wife and mom of 3 boys. You can connect with Larissa on Facebook and Instagram @thelovelylittlelotus. Her website is https://thelovelylittlelotus.com/ and she can be reached here.

Related Links:
Celebrating Earth Day: 10 Steps to Implementing a Service Project With Your Students
Welcoming Spring: A Children’s Yoga Class Plan
It’s All About Heart: A Children’s Yoga Class Plan
Coloring In Yoga Class: What Is A Mandala?

Welcoming Spring: A Children’s Yoga Class Plan

Spring is such an exciting time of new growth, change, and expectation for warmer weather after an often long, cold winter. Kids feel this too and it can be hard for them to settle down and focus as “spring fever” hits! Use this yoga lesson to encourage their excitement for Spring in a calm, constructive way.

Most of the following poses and activities can be found in Lisa Flynn’s Yoga for Children book.

OPENING
Talk about the arrival of Spring and how the earth “wakes up” as new things grow and we see more plants and animals outside. Ask questions such as: How do plants grow? Do you know where butterflies come from? Where do animals go in winter? Encourage them to think about nature and how spring is a season of growing and change.

Make it Rain activity (adapted from Rain storm activity): Tell the children that they are going to make a pretend rain storm by making noises with their body while not saying anything. Encourage them to follow you. Snap your fingers and/or cluck tongues to make raindrops. As it starts to rain faster, tap your hands on your thighs. Add in wind- rub hands together. Now make thunder- stomp each foot on the floor one time. And lightning- clap your hands over your head. Alternate between wind, rain, thunder, and lightning to create a storm. Slow it down as the storm ends and end with a few raindrops. Kids love this!!

CENTERING
Chime Listening: Children will close their eyes or find a spot on the floor to look at as they listen to the chime. Instruct them to raise their hands when they can no longer hear it.

BREATHWORK
Ask children to sit up tall and place one hand on their belly and one on their chest. Invite them to take a slow, deep breath in through their nose as they feel their belly and chest move/fill up. As they breathe out slowly through their mouth they can feel their belly and chest move/empty. Try using a Hoberman Sphere breathing ball as a visual prompt. Kids love to watch it and match their breaths to the opening and closing of the ball.

WARMUP
Begin in Mountain Pose. Move into a Crescent Moon pose on each side. Next try Washing Mountain and end with Waterfall.

YOGA POSES
This is the perfect time to tell a story or read a book about spring! There are so many books out there that you can use! This week in my Preschool and Kindergarten classes I told a story about a caterpillar (cobra or sphinx pose), that ate and ate and then turned into a cocoon (child’s pose) and them became a butterfly (butterfly pose while singing I’m a Little Butterfly). The butterfly lived in a garden (tree pose, flower pose), where there were frogs (frog jumps) and bumblebees (bumblebee breath). We stayed in the garden until dark (twinkle star) and then took a boat home (boat pose while singing Row Row).

The kids and teachers loved it! The story/book and poses can easily be adapted to the age of the kids in a class.

GROUP/PARTNER POSES/CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Encourage kids to get creative as they try Partner Tree poses. Double Boat and Double Lotus can also be fun as they imagine that they are blooming flowers. For a large group, Sunflower can be especially fun as they sit in a circle with their legs stretched out into the middle. Instruct them to lean toward their toes and bow their heads as they become a Sunflower whose petals are closed for the night. In the morning the Sunflower wakes up and opens up as they slowly bring their arms up overhead and lie back wit their arms on the floor behind them.

TRANSITION
If kids are not on their mats invite them to quietly go to their mats and lie on their backs while hugging their knees into their chest and gently rocking side to side if they like.

RELAXATION
Guide kids through the Tense and Relax activity instructing them to tighten a body part and then relax it. Start with toes/feet and work your way up to their face. Next, offer kids a Breathing Buddy to put on their belly as they relax and take slow, deep breaths to give their buddy a ride. Try reading the At the Beach visualization in Lisa’s book (Yoga for Children)- kids love it!

CLOSING
To end my classes I like to say the following and the kids repeat after me:
May there be peace in my thoughts (put hands on head)
May there be peace in my words (put hands next to mouth)
May there be peace in my heart (kids hug themselves)

TAKE AWAY
A spritz of lavender Magical Mist or a sticker is an easy, affordable take away!

Spring is such a special time. Sharing some of the magic of the season with kids through breathing, yoga and relaxation is one of my favorite things to do. I hope you enjoy these lesson ideas and I wish you a peaceful and happy spring!

 

Colleen Smith, RYT, RCYT, has been teaching yoga to kids in the Syracuse, NY area for 16 years. While Colleen had previously trained with Radiant Child and YogaKids, she decided to further her training with ChildLight Yoga beginning in 2015 and recently completed their 95-hour training program. Colleen has a M.S. and CAS in School Counseling and worked as an Elementary School Counselor in an inner city school district for several years. She started doing yoga when her son was three years old. He was a very busy child and much later was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety. When he was still very young Colleen took her first training, came home and did some yoga and relaxation with him and he loved it! She has been hooked ever since! After seeing the positive impact it had on her son, Colleen began teaching yoga to local kids and families. Her business has grown and in 2014 she started BeLive Yoga. In each yoga class that she teaches she focuses on giving kids tools they can use to deal with stress and anxiety now and as they grow up. Currently, Colleen is teaching yoga in several school districts, preschools and studios. Many of the elementary schools she teaches in are in the inner city and she enjoys developing relationships with the kids there who need something positive, helpful and hopeful in their lives. She enjoys bringing yoga into schools and classrooms and seeing the impact it can have on kids and teachers. In addition to yoga, Colleen enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and volunteering.

Related Links:

It’s All About Heart: A Children’s Yoga Class Plan
Season of Light: A Children’s Yoga Class Plan
Giving Thanks: A Children’s Yoga Class Plan

It’s All About Heart: A Children’s Yoga Class Plan

As many of us know, February 14^th can be a day filled with conversation hearts, red punch and chocolate, creating a challenging atmosphere for teaching mindfulness and self-care.  Alternatively, we can refocus this day on love and friendship inviting our students to reconnect with each other, the community and themselves.

Most of the following poses and activities can be found in Lisa Flynn’s “Yoga for Children” book.

OPENING
Sing the Welcome Song, a ChildLight Yoga original which can be found on iTunes, Spotify or for purchase on our website.

Consider asking questions instead of always providing the answers.  What is love? What is kindness?  Can you love yourself? Discuss Valentine’s Day.   St Valentine lived many years ago and was said to have written a sonnet for his loved one using ink he squeezed from the petals of violets.  *Sonnet: a poem of fourteen lines using any of a number of formal rhyme schemes, in English typically having ten syllables per line

CENTERING                                                                                        
Read The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond                                 

BREATHWORK
Imagine someone you love in your mind.  Inhale and feel the love you have for them fill you up.  Exhale and send love back out. Know that you love and you are loved. 

WARMUP
Rain storm Start seated or standing in a circle. The leader begins by rubbing hands together, then the person to the right joins, then the next until the sound makes its way around the circle, at which time the leader adds on as the sound continues around the circle. (a) Rub your hands together.  (b) Lightly tap fingers on the legs for a light rain.  (c) Increase the volume and tempo of the tapping for stronger rain.  (d) Taking your time begin to reverse the order as the rain slows down ending with silence. 

SONGS
Listen to Your Heart, a ChildLight Yoga original which can be found on iTunes, Spotify or for purchase on our website.

YOGA POSES
Ask the students to retell The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond and incorporate postures.  Open the book when they need reminders. Possible postures could be: Crescent Moon, card pose (sitting in butterfly with feet together open them like a card), table top, chair pose, she looked at the hearts from the front plank, side plank, and back reverse plank, thread the needle (table top twist), roll like a cotton ball, she used a pencil (mountain pose) to draw and cut out circles (flying bird breath or in/out breath), she put them in the mailbox (child’s pose), down dog, turtle, rabbit, tree

GROUP/PARTNER POSES/CREATIVE MOVEMENT
There are so many variations to create-a-heart!  Use only your hands, use only your arms, use your whole body, create-a-heart with a friend, work together as an entire group to create a heart!

TRANSITION
Imagine you are a heart-shaped raindrop floating down from the sky.  What do you see?  Be mindful not to bump into any of the other raindrops as you make your way to your mat. 

RELAXATION
Picture a soft fluffy cloud floating down beside you.  This cloud can be any shape, size or color that you choose.  You feel safe and warm with your cloud.  If you climb onto your cloud it will gently lift you up and take you anywhere you want to go.  Where will it take you?  What can you see on the way? Rest for a bit and enjoy the peaceful journey.

CLOSING
May love rain down on us, May love surround us, May love grow through us
May peace rain down on us, May peace surround us, May peace grow through us
May chocolate rain down on us, May chocolate surround us, May chocolate grow through us
(I change the last line every class and we all erupt in giggles!)

TAKE AWAY
Spritz students and caregivers with lavender scented magic mist after they are dressed and ready at the door.  Valentine themed mandalas, heart shaped stickers, or two positive affirmations (one to keep and one to share with a friend) are also welcome take aways. 

I hope you enjoy sharing this sequence with the children in your life. If our youngest generation regularly practices nurturing the loving relationships in their lives, over time we will see a more loving planet! And as I always say, #loveisallthatmatters.

Sally Delisle, E-RYT 500, YACEP, RCYT, serves as Director of ChildLight Yoga Teacher Trainings, is a ChildLight Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher Trainer, and a Yoga 4 Classrooms Trainer. Sally is the creator/co-author of the ChildLight Yoga and Mindfulness Advanced Teaching Concepts and contributor to the Tweens and Teens and ChildLight Yoga in Schools Teacher Training curricula … read more here.

ChildLight Yoga offers a wide variety of teacher trainings each year across the country focused on empowering adult to share the gifts of yoga and mindfulness with children, babies, toddlers, tween, teens, children and teens with special needs, athletes, in schools and much more. To learn more and view the schedule, click here.

Related Posts:
My Valentine’s Day Rant of Love

Lesson Planning: Consistency is Key for Engagement

Giving Thanks: A Children’s Yoga Class Plan

Coloring in Yoga Class: What is a Mandala?

Ever wondered about the concentric designs your children bring home from camp and occasionally class?

“The word “mandala” is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. Loosely translated to mean “circle,” a mandala is far more than a simple shape. It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself–a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds.” – from What is a Mandala?.

Coloring or creating mandalas or circular patterns is part of quite a few ancient traditions. These circle patterns appear in the Navajo and Aztec traditions, Taoism, Tibetan Buddhism, and  Christianity. Why does it resonate so?

Without fail, our students of all ages love coloring mandalas. The activity is relaxing and focusing, and provides a great opportunity for opening up meaningful discussions with older children (they tend to be less self conscious about participating in a discussion while coloring). This recent article on the Huffington Post talks about the physiological benefits of the practice.

“When coloring, we activate different areas of our two cerebral hemispheres," says psychologist Gloria Martínez Ayala. 

"The action involves both logic, by which we color forms, and creativity, when mixing and matching colors. This incorporates the areas of the cerebral cortex involved in vision and fine motor skills [coordination necessary to make small, precise movements]. The relaxation that it provides lowers the activity of the amygdala, a basic part of our brain involved in controlling emotion that is affected by stress."

One of the primary things we are teaching in children’s yoga are tools for students to be able to trigger their own relaxation response and calming and focusing their minds and nervous system. Coloring mandalas is only one age-appropriate way to do that, but it’s also one that’s easy for parents to implement at home. Just try it! And, be sure to join in and note your own state of being as you color away.

Also recommended from our blog:
Experiencing Mindfulness Through Mandalas: A Meditative Activity for Children

Fun Mindfulness and Yoga Activities Help Children for Preparing to Go Back to School (Nature Mandala)

 

Author:

Jennifer Mueller, MA, E-RYT, RCYT, has been teaching yoga students of all ages since 2008 and directs a children's and family yoga program in Washington DC. In addition to being a trainer for ChildLight Yoga® and Yoga 4 Classrooms®, Jen holds a variety of children’s yoga certifications. She is also a prenatal yoga instructor, childbirth educator, a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM) through Infant Massage USA, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Jen completed her adult yoga teacher training at Willow Street Yoga in Takoma Park, MD… read more here.

*The original version of this article published by http://breathingspacedc.co

Season of Light: A Children’s Yoga Class Plan

Cultures around the globe have traditions that celebrate family, connection, and renewal. This kids’ yoga class focuses on those themes as well the beauty of the natural world during winter.

OPENING
Open with a discussion of the four seasons, winter solstice marking the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere as well as the first day of winter, and favorite holiday traditions. Integrate science by observing the changing weather and noting winter as a natural time for mindful reflection before the growth and expansion of spring renewal.  

Have students noticed animals busy at work? Animals in nature respond to mid-winter too. Some hibernate (let children suggest which ones do) and some don’t. Read: Over and Under the Snow, by Kate Messner.

CENTERING
Use chime listening as a centering activity. 

Now let’s imagine a peaceful cabin on a snowy day.  What does it look like?

BREATHWORK
Even though each day has the same number of hours (how many?), on the Winter Solstice we have the fewest hours of daylight.  The sun sets really early!  When it is dark outside, we need to bring the light inside. Long ago, that meant lighting candles. Practice candle breath, which can be found in Lisa Flynn’s Yoga for Children book.

When we go out in the cold, practicing power breath helps us to remember the light and warmth of the sun. 

WARMUP
The sun is always there to provide for us even when it is cold and hiding behind a cloud!  Take several rounds of sun salutations or follow along with one of the following songs:

     

YOGA POSES
Review the topics from the opening discussion regarding holiday traditions. Possible postures could be: Christmas Tree (tree with hands wide/low for evergreen branches), Advent Wreath (The wreath signifies the cycle of seasons. Try Wheel Pose or practice Circle of Trees), outside fun like sledding (locust and reverse plank), snow man building (roll like a ball), or snowball fights (low lunge with throwing arms), holiday baking (Kira Willey song: The Mixing Bowl).

So fun . . . let’s go for a ski through the snowy woods.

Retell the story Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner while incorporating the following poses: crescent moon, tree, skier, squirrel, owl, vole (mouse), frog, beaver (table with shins/feet together for tail), fox (balancing table with one leg out for tail, do both sides), bear, bee. Which creatures hibernate for winter? Model hibernation in Child’s pose!  Lastly, enjoy a campfire (firelog pose) under the stars.

TRANSITION
Close with Big White Star found on the I Grow with Yoga CD and in your Yoga & Mindfulness for  Children teacher training manual. 

RELAXATION
Share Star Prelude visualization from Yoga for Children or the Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Card Deck .  Battery operated tea lights could be provided for candle gazing.   

TAKE AWAY
Provide students with a journal to draw or write about their meaningful traditions.  Holiday- themed mandalas are also a favorite takeaway.  If possible, acknowledge Winter Solstice by sending each student home with a color changing tea light to encourage mindfulness practices at home.   

 

Authors:

Jennifer Mueller, MA, E-RYT, RCYT, has been teaching yoga students of all ages since 2008 and directs a children's and family yoga program in Washington DC. In addition to being a trainer for ChildLight Yoga® and Yoga 4 Classrooms®, Jen holds a variety of children’s yoga certifications. She is also a prenatal yoga instructor, childbirth educator, a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM) through Infant Massage USA, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Jen completed her adult yoga teacher training at Willow Street Yoga in Takoma Park, MD… read more here.

Sally Delisle, E-RYT 500, YACEP, RCYT, serves as Director of ChildLight Yoga Teacher Trainings, is a ChildLight Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher Trainer, and a Yoga 4 Classrooms Instructor. Sally is the creator/co-author of the ChildLight Yoga and Mindfulness Advanced Teaching Concepts and contributor to the Tweens and Teens and ChildLight Yoga in Schools Teacher Training manuals. She began studying and practicing yoga in 1993 after earning a degree in Fine Arts/Dance and a BA in Psychology… read more here.

ChildLight Yoga offers over 60 teacher trainings each year in 10 different states. To learn more and view their 2018 schedule, click here.