5 Tips for Doing Yoga with Your Kids
Doing yoga with kids has so many benefits, many of which we have written about over the past few years! But how and where do you start when you want to do yoga with your child? How to get them interested? What time of day should you practice together? Do you need anything? The simple answer is that if you want to start doing yoga with your kids, it is super easy! Here are my top five tips for practicing with your family and your children, at home and out and about.
Don’t overthink starting a yoga practice with your children, just start!
My first tip is to just start! Whether you are a complete novice or a practiced yogi, simply set aside 10-15 minutes of your day and start with a video to get a feel for all of the elements of a family yoga class: the meditation, the asana or poses, and the relaxation. You’ll see it includes it all, albeit taught in a more playful way!
Designate a specific time a few days a week. Consistency is key for not only creating the habit, but also for accessing the benefits. It is called a practice for a reason! It is difficult to remain calm and peaceful in frustrating situations when we don’t actively practice the skills nor train the brain consistently! Don’t force it-just choose days/times that organically lend themselves to it. Maybe 10 minutes before school or if you homeschool, practice your yoga during morning “Circle” time. Another great time is before bed too-just make sure it isn’t super energetic. Of course, Saturday mornings are fantastic for family yoga as it is a great way to kick off the weekend.
Use props and toys! Family yoga is playful. Introduce stuffies, streamers, pinwheels, and kids yoga cards. They keep it interesting and supply so many ideas for games and opportunities to practice mindfulness in a more tangible way. Some toys, like yoga dice, encourage more creative movement which is great for kids who maybe are more hesitant. Other toys, like magnifying glasses, encourage more intentional focus. Get creative! Reuse, recycle, thrift, and hit up discount stores for materials, or grab our curated kids yoga kit!
Create a special area in your home that feels peaceful and inspires your kids and you. Maybe there’s a small room or even a cute corner of your house that doesn’t get used often. Decorate it with things that are special to you, grab some fluffy pillows and blankets, and utilize fairy lights for an ambience that draws you in every day. It’s a good chance, you’ll be ready and excited to commit to your own practice!
Mix it up between high-energy and more calm practices. Kids need their exercise and to burn energy, especially if we want to teach them how to meditate and calm their busy minds, so they need practices that get them moving and tired! But sometimes, we want them to move with more intention, focus on their breathing, and feel really really relaxed, like before bed or before a big test. So switch it up! Use music to set the mood with some of our favorite playlists we use in our classes.
Be sure to join our awesome group to connect with other yogi parents! See ya soon.
-Heather