Are you looking for a way to exercise as a family?

 

These yoga poses are both fun and easy to do, and can help with staying fit!

 

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Yoga can be for everyone

Yoga is something easy that you can all do as a family that can be fun and healthy. There is barely any equipment needed, all you would need is a yoga mat or a carpeted area. Yoga is great for stretching, balance, flexibility and can help you get in tune more with your body.

Even if you’ve never done yoga before, these yoga poses are simple enough for anyone to follow along and do. Many of these poses are basic or beginner level poses, and are often used in different level yoga classes for multiple purposes.

 

 

5 reasons why kids should practice yoga

There are so many benefits of practicing yoga; for kids and adults. For kids, practicing yoga regularly can benefit them in their overall development and mental well being.

 

• Yoga promotes a healthy body

Practicing yoga can help promote a healthier body through poses that stretch, strengthen and build coordination. Kids’ yoga improves flexibility and increases blood flow, which in turn can help reduce the risk of injury during other physical activities that they may engage in.

 

• Yoga can help improve concentration

Practicing yoga can help improve a child’s concentration. It can also lead to improvements in attention and even behavior as well. Using yoga as a short brain break between classes or subjects can help allow kids to regain focus, which can lead to a better learning experience.

 

• Yoga can help manage stress

Learning how to control your breathing and using it to help us through times of stress and anxiety can give us a sense of calm and reassurance. Yoga helps kids understand how to use their breathing to reduce stress and feel in control when they feel anxious. Once they master this, they can use this tool as a way to help them when stressful situations occur.

 

 

• Yoga helps with coordination and balance

Yoga is a great way for children to develop coordination and balance. As children regularly practice yoga, the poses work to use a range of muscles which can improve body coordination and help with large motor development.

 

• Yoga promotes inclusivity

With other physical activities, the main focus is sometimes competitive in nature. Yoga does not focus on levels of ability, winning or even being better than the person next to you. It instead encourages you to be the best you can be, putting the focus on yourself. By promoting inclusive practice as a group, no matter what your level, kids’ yoga is great for children who don’t flourish in competitive environments.

 

 

So, as an added bonus,  some of the poses in this post are being demonstrated by my Yoga Buddies. I would like to introduce you to Kai the Koala and Tobi the Teddy! Tobi is a United States native, while Kai came all the way from Australia!

If you’d like your own Yoga Buddies, check out getting Koala and Teddy! They sure do make yoga fun!

 

 

Fun yoga poses you can do as a family

 

1. Bridge (Purvottanasana)

Purpose:

To strengthen the arms and wrist; as well as the core, neck and legs.

Instructions:

1. sit on your bottom, legs bent feet flat on the floor
2. press your feet into the ground, lift your hips up to the sky
3. interlock your fingers and bring them under your body

 

2. Cat (Marjaryasana)

Purposes:

To stretch the spine and engage the core

Instructions:

1. get down on all fours
2. round your back up, then down
3. extend your leg

 

3. Cobra (Bhujangasana)

 

Purposes:

To open the chest and strengthen the back and legs

Instructions:

1. lay flat on your tummy
2. place your hand underneath your shoulders
3. pushing up onto your hands

 

4. Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

 

Purposes:

To stretch the shoulders, spine, hamstrings, calves, arches and hands. Strengthens the arms and legs.

Instructions:

1. get down on all fours
2. place your hands out in front of you
3. use the tips of your toes to push yourself up

 

5. Do Nothing Doll (Savasana)

 

Purposes:

To stretch the sides and legs. Strengthens the arms and shoulders. Opens the chest and expands the rib cage and lungs.

Instructions:

1. lie flat on your back
2. relax your arms and legs
3. close your eyes and breathe deeply

 

6. Hero (Virabhadrasana)

Purposes:

To strengthen and stretch the legs and ankles. Opens the chest, lungs, groins and shoulders

Instructions:

1. stand with your feet wide apart
2. bend your front knee
3. extend your arms out wide

 

7. Mouse (Balasana)

Purposes:

To soothe the mind and relax the body. Releases the lower back.

Instructions:

1. get on your knees and kneel down
2. place your forehead on the ground
3. place your hands next to your body and breathe

 

8. Table (Purvottanasana)

Purposes:

To strengthen the arms and wrist; as well as the core, neck and legs.

Instructions:

1. sit on your bottom, legs bent feet flat on the floor
2. place hands behind you with fingers facing in
3. press your feet into the ground, lift your hips up to the sky

 

9. Tree (Vrksasana)

 

Purposes:

To strengthen the legs and back. Improves balance and opens the shoulders and chest. Stretches the waist and expands the rib cage

Instructions:

1. stand up tall
2. place the heel of your foot on your other calf or thigh
3. bring your hands to heart, then bring your hands up to the sky

 

10. Waterfall

 

Purposes:

To stretch the shoulders, spine, neck and core. To strengthen the legs and back. Expands the rib cage.

Instructions:

1. stand up tall
2. put your hand into the air
3. bend back at the waist and point your fingers towards the ground

 

 

Yoga pose cards

The yoga pose cards I share about above are from the Imaginazium Kids Yoga Kit which can be difficult to find. But no worries, I’ve got you covered; check out some of the great alternatives below!

 

What to take from this

This is just an introduction to a few yoga poses. Use these poses to build up your yoga practice, and add in more challenging poses. The most important thing to take from this is to have fun as a family, while staying or getting fit! Yoga is a universal practice, and there is only one way to do it…your way! Do not compare yourself or your yoga practice with others, yoga is individualized and how you do it is unique; so add your own little twist to it, and make it yours!

 

Namaste, yogis!

Anitra J.