How to Explain Yoga to a Child: A Guide for Parents and Teachers
Yoga, with its calming influence and myriad health benefits, is a wonderful practice for people of all ages, including children. However, explaining yoga to a child requires a gentle and engaging approach that aligns with their natural curiosity and imagination.
Embarking on a journey to explain yoga to children can be a delightful and enriching experience.
In Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, the word "yoga" translates to "union." But what does this union signify? Why do we meditate and do all these poses?
Take a ride with us to discover the best and most fun ways to explain yoga to kids! Yogi Beans is a leading kids' yoga company that offers yoga lessons and wellness education to kids, parents and teachers.
1. Start with a simple definition
Children understand best when things are kept simple. Start with an easy explanation in one sentence.
One of Yogi Beans’ most favorite definition of yoga is:
“Yoga makes you feel good: it is exercise for your body, mind and heart”
This definition helps children understand that yoga isn't just about physical movement; it also nurtures their emotional and mental well-being.
2. Make it fun from the start
Children learn best through play and fun! While explaining yoga to kids, it’s important to use language that sparks their interest. You could tell them yoga is a fun way to move their bodies and feel great. You could say:
"Yoga is like a special game where we move our bodies in different shapes to feel strong, happy, and calm."
This definition sets the stage for children to see yoga as a fun activity rather than a structured exercise routine.
3. Use storytelling and imagination
Children have vivid imaginations and love stories! Use this to your advantage by incorporating storytelling into your yoga sessions. Create imaginative scenarios for different poses. For example:
"Imagine you're a tall, strong tree with roots deep in the ground and branches reaching up to the sky. This is called Tree Pose. And now an Eagle comes to rest on your branches, let’s do Eagle pose!"
By turning yoga poses into elements of a story, you make the experience engaging and relatable.
Interested in learning how to practice yoga with children? Check out our on-demand online training designed for anyone wanting to share yoga with the kids in their life! Our development course allows you to learn at your own pace, providing you with the skills to practice yoga with children in a safe and fun environment.
4. Incorporate animal yoga poses
Children relate well to animals. They naturally have a strong connection with them and enjoy exploring this connection. Indeed, explaining yogi concepts through animal poses can make the practice more relatable and fun. Name and demonstrate animal poses:
Cat Pose: "Pretend you're a cat stretching its back."
Cobra Pose: "Now you're a snake; lift your head to look around."
Frog Pose: "Can you squat like a frog? Ready to jump?"
5. Give children a bit of history
At Yogi Beans, we encourage you to share some of yoga's stories with your child, even if it's just a short line. To keep things interesting, engage them by asking questions. You might ask if they've heard of the continent of Asia, or a country called India. Explain that this is where yoga originated from.
If your child is curious to learn more, you can add that yoga began in India thousands of years ago, and many of the words used in yoga classes come from an ancient language called Sanskrit.
If your little beans are still curious, you can introduce some yoga philosophy. Explain that yoga is about uniting the body, mind, and heart to express our true selves. The self is the unchanging part of us that makes each of us special!
6. Explain the benefits of yoga in kid-friendly terms
Instead of talking about flexibility or mindfulness, try using terms that children can better understand such as:
Feeling Happy: "Yoga helps us feel happy and less grumpy."
Strong Bodies: "Yoga can make our muscles strong like a superhero."
Calm Minds: "Yoga can help us feel calm and not worried."
7. Make it interactive
A good way to introduce yoga to children is to engage them in simple and interactive yoga activities and games (e.g., animal poses, stories, dance, etc.)
Breathing is a fundamental part of yoga. You can teach children basic breathing exercises in a playful manner too:
Bunny Breath: "Pretend you're a bunny and take quick little sniffs like you're smelling a flower."
Balloon Breath: "Imagine your tummy is a balloon. Take a big breath in and blow it up; then let the air out slowly."
8. Introduce relaxation and mindfulness
Introducing children to relaxation can be both fun and calming. Describe it as a special "quiet time" where children get the opportunity to lie down, listen to soothing music, and imagine a peaceful place. Encourage children to think of relaxation as a way to rest both their bodies and minds. You can explain it like this: “Relaxation is a quiet time for your body and mind. It's when you lie down, listen to soft music, and imagine you're in a calm, happy place.”
Be creative and use guided imagery to make the experience more engaging. Lead them through a simple exercise such as: "Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Imagine you're lying on a warm, sandy beach. Feel the sun on your skin and hear the gentle waves of the ocean. Or picture yourself floating on a fluffy cloud, feeling light and free as you drift through the sky." Using vivid descriptions and imagery helps children fully immerse themselves in the experience, making relaxation more effective and enjoyable.
9. Use visual aids
Children are visual learners. Use books, videos, and posters that illustrate yoga poses and practice sequences. There are many children’s books that incorporate yoga stories and poses, making it an enjoyable learning experience.
Looking for a fun and creative kids’ yoga book? Yogi Beans’ own masterpiece, 108 Awesome Yoga Poses for Kids, offers tons of playful yoga positions that will show you and the children in your life how to move your bodies in fun and novel ways.
Let’s go on a yoga adventure!
Let your imagination soar as you become a bouncing Frog 🐸, a magical Mermaid 🧜 or a soaring Rocket Ship! 🚀
10. Foster connection
Yoga transcends personal practice; it's about building connections and fostering unity!
Introduce children to the concepts of community, compassion, and kindness through yoga. Demonstrate how yoga can help them connect with others, appreciate nature, and discover their inner selves. Encourage them to share their experiences, listen to one another, and offer support throughout their yoga journey!
Conclusion
Explaining yoga to a child is all about making it fun, engaging, and relatable. By using simple language, storytelling, animal poses, and interactive activities, you can introduce yoga as a delightful and beneficial practice. Encouraging them to explore yoga will not only help them grow physically, but it also teaches them valuable skills for positive emotional well-being, self-regulation and self-awareness.
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