| Kids yoga classes are different from adult yoga | | | | generally rather polite when instructors make minor |
| classes. Before you decide to become a kids yoga | | | | mistakes, stumble over their words, or fall flat on their |
| instructor, or start doing yoga with your class at school, | | | | faces. Kids - not so much! They love pointing out your |
| you'll want to become familiar with these 8 dirty truths | | | | shortcomings, faux pas, and inconsistencies. Instructors |
| about teaching yoga to kids. | | | | have two options: 1) achieve perfection 2) develop a |
| 1. There will be tears - The trigger could be being | | | | sense of humour. Since perfection is a far way off for |
| overtired, or not getting to lead the game, or feeling | | | | me, I find laughing about my blunders a lot more fun. In |
| overwhelmed, or that somebody ran into them during | | | | addition, the way in which adults respond to error helps |
| Yoga Tag, or they are frustrated at not being able to | | | | kids to see how to handle their own mistakes in |
| do their favourite pose precisely when they wanted. | | | | positive, life affirming ways. |
| Tears are part and parcel of kids learning about their | | | | 6. Classes are similar to herding cats - Each group has |
| emotions and how to handle life. After school yoga | | | | a variety of ages, physical, mental and emotional |
| classes are especially prone to this response as kids | | | | abilities, and maturity levels. Add to that the fact that |
| have already put in a full day of learning, may not have | | | | kids' attention spans can be measured in minutes and |
| had an adequate after school snack (low-blood sugar | | | | you have an interesting challenge on your hands. |
| often causes emotional melt-downs), or may simply | | | | Establishing a class routine and making sure the |
| need a little TLC whereas the rest of the class wants | | | | themes are kid friendly will lengthen the amount of time |
| to burn off excess energy. | | | | kids will spend on any one given activity. Kids yoga |
| 2. Classes are noisy - Laughter, chatting, roaring, | | | | instructors, however, had better always have a few |
| barking, singing, energetic chanting and more are part | | | | fall back activities & yoga games in mind to keep |
| of a yoga class for kids. Once a Grade 5 teacher | | | | everyone engaged and having fun. |
| asked me how to get her students to be quiet during | | | | 7. It's not about you - Kids love classes which focus on |
| yoga. My response: "Don't." Kids need to express | | | | THEIR interests. WebKinz, Hannah Montana, Star |
| themselves using all their senses and they will at every | | | | Wars, Creepy Crawlies, Princesses, Spiderman, and |
| opportunity. I believe that happy noise is productive to | | | | more all come to yoga class. When the instructor |
| learning. One rule, however, when the instructor talks | | | | incorporates a yoga inspired activity which plays off |
| everyone else listens. That way explanations and | | | | the students' favourite things then you know you've |
| instruction can be given, and then activities can be fully | | | | got a great thing going. As well, each holiday from |
| interactive. So have fun, make some noise! | | | | Valentine's to Halloween provides fodder for fun. So |
| 3. You will be interrupted - Imagine half the adults in | | | | don't be surprised if you spend time wondering how to |
| your yoga class expressing out loud the first thought | | | | incorporate leprechauns or superheros into your next |
| that comes to mind every time the teacher begins to | | | | yoga class. |
| explain a pose or activity. Imagine being half way | | | | 8. Props, props, & more props - For an adult yoga |
| through a story only to be asked, "Can I go to the | | | | class most instructors use a mat, an mp3 player, and if |
| bathroom?" Imagine hearing all about someone's fish | | | | you are lucky an eye pillow. Iyengar classes will add a |
| that died on the weekend, a favourite TV show, the | | | | strap, a block, a blanket, and possibly a chair. For any |
| type of cake that was served at a friend's birthday | | | | given kids yoga class, take that basic list and add |
| party, or the nasty comment that Mommy said to | | | | books, puppets, feathers, scarves, pompoms, |
| Daddy when he came home late from work...again. | | | | parachutes, stuffed animals, musical instruments, hula |
| Now you are at a kids yoga class. | | | | hoops, card decks, hoberman spheres, rocks, balls, |
| 4. Classroom management is an essential skill - You | | | | bean bags, craft supplies, colouring sheets, and more. |
| will need to possess some classroom management | | | | Be sure to have some storage space available. |
| skills to keep Bobby from constantly playing with the | | | | So there you have it: the inconveniences, traumas & |
| gong, Sue from cuddling with her best friend, Joey on | | | | reality of teaching yoga to kids. |
| task, and Beth from using her yoga mat like a sled. | | | | There is a flip side however. If you take pleasure in |
| Kids generally know how to behave but will take | | | | providing tools for kids to be happy and healthy the |
| advantage of any opportunity for chaos. Every kids | | | | rest of their lives, enjoy genuine sharing, approach life |
| yoga instructor needs to find their own style of | | | | with curiosity and creativity, want to end each class |
| classroom management so that the environment stays | | | | with a sense of satisfaction, and love to receive |
| conducive to learning and growth. Remember you are | | | | spontaneous hugs, then teaching yoga to kids is for |
| in charge. | | | | you. |
| 5. When you mess up, you'll be told - Adults are | | | | |