| Kids yoga has become increasingly popular as of late. | | | | few minutes of class. After a couple of weeks kids |
| However, many yoga instructors find themselves at a | | | | will request their favourites again and again. |
| loss when faced with their first yoga class for kids. | | | | #6 - Keep it moving. Numerous activities with varying |
| The instructors know the poses, how to develop flow | | | | energy levels help to keep kids attention and interest. |
| sequences, various pranayama exercises, and how to | | | | Kids yoga classes are fast paced which will require |
| perform adjustments. However, they now have a | | | | high intensity and energy from the instructor. A good |
| group of children staring at them and they have no | | | | rule of thumb for how long kids will pay attention is |
| idea how to fill the next 30-60 minutes. | | | | "ageX5. " |
| To help here is a list of the top 10 tips for teaching kids | | | | #7 - Incorporate music. Kids respond wholeheartedly |
| yoga. These are tried and tested techniques which will | | | | to music. Try calming tunes for relaxation, upbeat ones |
| guarantee your success. | | | | to release energy. Find one of the many kids yoga |
| #1 - Have fun. Kid's yoga is more about playing yoga | | | | music CDs now on the market and use it, or simply |
| than perfecting poses. Release your fun-loving self, | | | | raid your own play list and share the groove. You can |
| laugh, tell jokes, make silly faces, let loose, enjoy. | | | | also incorporate drumming and chanting which are |
| #2 - Pick a theme. Developing a lesson plan around a | | | | especially useful to teach basic rhythm skills, develop |
| central theme helps to focus attention and provides a | | | | co-ordination and increase body awareness. |
| context to what otherwise is a bunch of unrelated | | | | #8 - Make noise. Bark in Downward Dog, meow in |
| poses without purpose. Yoga adventure stories are a | | | | Cat pose, hiss like a snake in Cobra pose. Find your |
| fun way to use themes, as are other lesson plans | | | | voice and express your creativity: the louder the better |
| such as opposites, shapes, alphabet, things that fly, etc. | | | | of course. So get into it and make some noise. |
| #3 - Know kids. Get current with what kids like and | | | | #9 - Share wisdom. Recognize that you will not be the |
| dislike: what is cool and totally last year. Each class will | | | | only teacher in the class as often children provide the |
| have certain interests, so find out what they are and | | | | greatest insights into our lives and relationships. Allow |
| develop lesson plans with these in mind. | | | | discussion time to cover interests, events and general |
| #4 - Use stories. Kids love stories; give them what | | | | sharing. See life through a child's eye and learn from |
| they love. Whether as the overall theme or to teach a | | | | them. |
| particular concept, stories grab the imagination and | | | | #10 - Include partner poses. Activities are more fun |
| become a part of us. This is a powerful tool that, when | | | | when you do them together. Develop a repertoire of |
| used well, will involve participants physically, emotionally | | | | partner poses and always include at least one in every |
| and intellectually. | | | | class. Partner poses help to build unity, cooperation, and |
| #5 - Play games. Break out the yoga games and take | | | | social skills essential to child development. |
| your classes from average to amazing. Yoga games | | | | These 10 tips will make your classes come alive, be |
| are especially effective to get everyone moving and | | | | engaging, and get the kids moving and grooving in a |
| working together, and are a fun way to spend the last | | | | yoga way. Namaste. |