Tip #2 on practicing yoga with kids

Tip #2: Use props!

Kids can be a very demanding and brutally honest group. Props are a big help to engage them and get some direct feedback on how they are performing.

For mini yogis (preschoolers and kindergarteners), below some great prop ideas and implementation:

  • Yoga cards: they love seeing cute drawings of postures, playing card games (e.g. memory) or create their own class,

  • Scarfs: to play around when twisting, to blow, to use in tag games or as a veil to relax,

  • Breathing spinning wheels, breathing sphere, bubbles: as this age, it is great to get a direct feedback on how they breath,

  • Feathers: let it fly with the breath or a sensory tool,

  • Pompoms: make it advance with your breath, catch it with your toes or make nice mandalas,

  • Plush toys: do a yoga pose of your toy or make it ride on your belly when you breathe,

  • Bells: great mindfulness tools, they catch immediate attention,

  • Popular stories: read a book they love and do a yoga class around it!

For older yogis, you might let aside the plush toys and use less props in a class.

  • Yoga cards: to see in one glance what the class is about or help co-create the class,

  • Scarfs: in addition, it can be used to get further in some poses,

  • Breathing props: have some handy when you need to redirect the class energy,

  • Bells: challenge them to move without noise or have a little help to play it during relaxation,

  • Ball: pass the ball in plow, plank, wide-legged forward fold, juggle in balance poses,

  • Colour dots: great for games to challenge their balance or their focus.

Remember: props are here to help you engage them, redirect the class attention and support your teaching, but should not become the centerpiece. You are.

And back to tip 1: make it fun and have fun!

By the way, have you looked at my resources to help you with kids yoga?

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Tip #3 on practicing yoga with kids

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5 tips to practice yoga with kids: #1