Children and animals share many fundamental characteristics. Both are playful, adventurous, spontaneous and full of life. If you're a yoga mom or dad, you know that yoga poses often mimic different animal poses -- downward dog, anyone? Tell you kids that you'll do some animal poses with them and it's likely they'll be thrilled with this concept. You don't need any special equipment, either, just some time to show them the exercises. Bonus: they're good for you, too!
Once a yoga instructor visited a soccer team I had been working with. She introduced the kids to the calming exercises of animal yoga. The children were exceptionally attuned to it! It was astounding to see them relaxed and enjoying such a different atmosphere. Many of the kids had never before focused on their bodies the way yoga requires.
Animal yoga helps develop focus and a mind/body connection and still involves elements of play. Each child would call out different animals in hopes there would be a pose made for it -- and there was. Here are a few of the animal poses the soccer team tried. I hope you will do them often with your family.
Butterfly
This pose allows the child to imitate the movements of a butterfly.
1. Sit on the floor and place the bottoms of your feet together. Allow your body to relax.
2. Pull your heels close to your body.
3. Sit up straight, and hold on to your feet.
4. Start to gently move your knees up and down, mimicking the flapping of butterfly wings.
5. Place your fists on your temples with your index fingers projecting like little antennae. Lean forward and side to side as you go from flower to flower looking for scrumptious nectar. You may continue to move knees up and down while doing this or you may choose to keep them still.
6. To rest, put your hands under your knees and bring the "wings" together to give them a hug.
7. Breathe and relax.
Looking for more ways to keep your kids active? Read about 12 fun activities to get your family moving.
Page 1 of 2 — on page 2, find more poses to try.
