Kids Yoga Day

International Kids Yoga Day

Kids’ Yoga Day is celebrated every year on April 5th. This day was created in 2016 by Teresa Power. This day was created based on her bestselling book The ABCs of Yoga for Kids. This global movement helps children get involved and learn about the multitude of health benefits that yoga provides. On this day in 2019, over 400 yoga ambassadors from 32 countries led almost 30,000 children through 5 minutes of yoga. This all occurred simultaneously while even more children followed along at home. The children who participated raved about not only how much fun they had doing yoga, but also the joy they had in being apart of something larger than themselves. The easiest way to get involved is to make space for you and your child and spend five minutes on this day practicing some of your favorite yoga poses. You and your child may find that you enjoy this enough to practice yoga every day throughout the year!

Simple Routine

Here is a simple routine you can follow for the five minute yoga session on kids yoga day. This routine is designed for children with lots of space. Hold each pose for about 20 seconds before moving onto the next. Remember to breathe in and out through your nose during each pose. For the last pose, hold it for 60 seconds in order to gain the benefits of the previous poses.

Candle: Kneel on the floor and bring your hands in front of your chest with your palms together. Make sure to breathe in and out through the nose to center yourself before beginning the sequence. 

Cow: Start this pose on all fours. As you inhale arch your back and as you exhale push your back out and place your chin on your chest. Repeat this move a couple times during the 20 seconds allotted. 

Dog: Start this pose on your hands and knees. Then straighten your legs with your hands still on the floor in front of you. Look down your body at your feet while you breathe in and out.

Tree: This pose requires a lot of balance so be sure that the area is cleared around you while you do this pose. Stand up straight and then slowly bend your right leg and bring your foot to your left thigh. Bring your hands up to your chest and have your hands facing each other and place your palms together. Take 5 breaths and then switch to your left leg.

Cobra: Start this pose by lying down on your stomach. Lay your arms in front of you on the mat and then slowly bring them to your side. Bend your elbows and lift your chest up making sure your the rest of your body remains flat on the mat. 

Rocking Horse: This pose starts like cobra. Lie on the mat and instead of bending your arms bend your knees. Reach behind you, grab both your ankles, and lift your body off the ground.

Mouse: Start this pose by crouching. Place your weight back on your heels and then gently lean forward to place your head on the floor in front of you. Your arms rest by your side as you breathe in and old for a count of 5.

Pretzel: Sit criss cross for this pose. Take your right hand and reach it across your body and rest it on your knee. Stretch the other hand behind your back and turn to look behind you. Repeat the same motion with your left hand.

Do Nothing Pose: Lie back and let your arms relax at your sides. Close your eyes and take deep breaths. Remain in this pose for 60 seconds in order to gain the benefits if the previous 9 poses. 

Feel free to build off this routine or incorporate your own moves.