{"id":995,"date":"2013-04-10T12:46:00","date_gmt":"2013-04-10T16:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/2013\/04\/yoga-a-step-by-step-guide-to-have-your-family-moving-laughing-and-storytelling-together.html"},"modified":"2023-07-26T19:43:31","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T23:43:31","slug":"yoga-step-by-step-guide-to-have-your","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/yoga-step-by-step-guide-to-have-your\/","title":{"rendered":"YOGA: A Step-by-Step Guide to have your Family Moving, Laughing, and Storytelling Together!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You don’t need to travel far to go on a family adventure – only to your living room! Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a fun 15-minute kids yoga experience the whole family will love.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Step<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Step by Step Guide to Kids Yoga <\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Theme<\/b>. Pick a specific topic or storybook that you\u2019d like to create your Family Yoga experience around. For example, let\u2019s pretend that you are going to the Zoo<\/b>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brainstorm<\/b>. Get out a big piece of blank paper and markers.  List all the animals, people, and things that you would see, hear, and do on this topic. Record everyone\u2019s ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set-up.<\/b> Clear the space where you would like to do your Family Yoga experience together. Ensure that it is a safe environment and that you all have plenty of room to move around. Some great spots are a room in your house, outdoors in the park, or in your campsite. Explain the purpose of the activity, how long it will take (10-20 minutes is great to start), your expectations of their behavior, any safety considerations, and that creativity is encouraged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warm-up.<\/b> Get the whole family moving and stretching to wake up your bodies in preparation for the experience. Sun Salutes are a great way to get started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stretch up like a giraffe<\/b>, fold forward like a waterfall, step back like a bear, your hands and knees like a jaguar, and curl up like a mouse. Do again in reverse, and repeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journey.<\/b> Now that your bodies are warmed up, it\u2019s time to go on your pretend Family Yoga journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For your Zoo journey, first pretend to pack your bags in preparation for the day. Then, pretend to get into a car (or train or plane) to travel to the Zoo. Next, pretend to walk around the zoo. Call out the animals that you see and act them out altogether, one at a time.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might see an <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • eagle<\/strong> (perch on a tree)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • lion<\/b> (on hands and knees)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • elephant<\/b>(arms as a trunk)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • monkey<\/b> (squat down)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • kangaroo<\/strong> (hop with paw hands) <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    You could pretend to stop for ice cream or anything else that you think would be fun for the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Use your imagination on what you would see, hear, and do on your Zoo visit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rest.<\/b> Once you have finished your Family Yoga experience, it\u2019s important to take the time to relax your mind and body. For our Zoo trip, pretend to be sea stars<\/b>. Lie on your back. Stretch out your arms and legs. Relax.; Breathe deeply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Discuss.<\/b> Talk about your Family Yoga experience afterward. What did everyone like best? Encourage a discussion. Ignite their excitement. Connect with each other through the fun of movement and storytelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Share.<\/b> Practice the Family Yoga trip together another day. Invite friends and family over to share in the fun.  Take photos and make a little \u201cFamily Yoga\u201d book.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Tips for a successful Family Yoga experience:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    • Focus on fun – children\u2019s yoga is less formal than adult yoga, emphasizing movement and creativity rather than practicing the poses with perfect alignment<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Pretend to travel to different places in the world and use the experience as a way to learn about different cultures<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Laugh and have fun \u2013 if the timing isn\u2019t right, then try again another day<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Get everyone involved and acknowledge everyone\u2019s abilities<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Encourage everyone\u2019s creativity \u2013 for example, ask the children how they think that the bear moves<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Just like a storybook, have a beginning (warm-up), middle (journey), and end (rest)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Be safe<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Research and learn new yoga poses each time that you practice your Family Yoga experience together (ex. Downward Facing Dog, Mountain Pose, Plank Pose, Child\u2019s Pose, Triangle Pose)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Remain in the Resting Pose for a period of time to teach your children how to de-stress and relax<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Bring awareness to their breath<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Use props or visuals to get the family in the mood for their topic (ex. Bring out your stuffed animals for your Zoo adventure)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Play music that compliments your topic<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Enjoy yourself – remember your enthusiasm is contagious <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Be in the moment \u2013 put all your worries and work aside and be present with your children – that\u2019s where the magic begins …<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Affiliate Links included in this post. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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