Tree! Kids Yoga Pose

Each week, 2-3 days, we do a 15 minute yoga work out in my home daycare. Kids from 1 1/2 to 4 do this and while each does as much as they are able and in a way they are capable of they all get a nice stretch, a scheduled work out time, and some fun new body movements. We do the sun salutations and then add a few jumps, hops, new yoga pose, and teacher assisted summersaults at the end. In doing these poses always consult a doctor first, only attempt what is in your child’s ability level, and do what is comfortable for your and their body.




These are only suggestions and like any exercise you and your children try them at your own risk, I am not there to show you and see what your body is saying so I can only offer these on a very basic level. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in, have a yoga mat to work on, and do not wear socks because of the risk of slipping! The pictures are of me in jeans, but I do not recommend this and only had them done because it was what I had on that day. Lastly, always remember to smile and never go past what your capable of and don't push a kid to go past what they are capable.

The pose we are working on this week is Tree. For this children need to be able to stand on one leg. If they are not able to do this skill maybe have their tree just be standing with one foot on top of the other or just them working on standing on one leg. If the children are capable of standing on one leg have them bend the leg in the air and place their foot against the standing leg. Make sure to avoid putting the foot on the knee joint!!!! Their hands and arms can go where they need for balance unless they are well balanced then should be in a prayer like position in front of the center of their chest. After a few moments if they are able they can extend their arms toward the sky and slowly sway pretending to be leaves in the wind. Make it a game to see how long they can balance or what kind of wind is blowing their tree and how their leaves ruffle. Be careful as they will likely fall at some point so advise them not to pretend a strong wind is blowing as well as clear the area around them so nothing is hit if they do fall. Always remember to do both legs! Go through each step reminding the children to take a breath for each step to help them be more conscious of their breath and to start setting up a stress relieving tool, calming breath, for them to use later in life. Again, you do and use these suggestions at your own risk.

This posture can open up imagination games or end them. Suggested imagination game is to look at the tree for animals, creatures, and other things living on a tree. Ask the children to help make up a story or if the child is younger without an extensive vocabulary, look at the tree and make up small stories yourself. The stories can be full of fun facts about trees, bugs, birds, moss, leaves, and whatever else you find in them or they can be pure imagination your choice! If it is fall or there are leaves turning colors you can use that for a discussion of life cycles and look at the differences in color, texture, and how fragile the brown dried leaves become and if you feel appropriate or it’s something you want to do you can use it as a way to talk about life and death with the different leaves as the conversation starter!

Now, go and see what kinds of trees you and your kids can grow! Be ready for some great learning moments and to write down in your "Kids Tell the Best Stories" journal a few amazing stories!

Namaste!