I give my kids the freedom to practice yoga if they want to. We have our regular home school routine of yoga and meditation in the mornings, and anything after that is voluntary. I practice my yoga, and my kids join in if they wish. My daughter on her own does handstands, and I coach her. She enjoys practicing with me, and today just learned pinchumayurasana.
That's the best thing you can teach kids, to have the desire to practice yoga on their own and establish their own practice because THEY want to, not because it's required or they are forced to. (Probably why I hated attending church as a kid!)
So when my daughter said to me yesterday, "Let's Practice More Yoga, Mom!" I received my greatest reward. A child going forth into the world established in yoga.
Teach yoga to children! Namaste and have a Magical Day!
I have been teaching kid’s yoga for a few months now and every once in a while my 8 year old daughter and my 4 year old son join in my classes. I always ask them if they want to join, but never pressure them; sometimes they are excited about coming to class, other times they just want to stay home. They do love to help me make up new poses; their creativity and imagination astound me. When I am stuck, I go to them and they work through ideas with me. I hope one day they will be doing yoga with me every day.
Hi Sydney,
I was teaching yoga for two years at my daughters school and she voluntarily enrolled each time. I’m not really sure if it was to be with me, to get out of Friday afternoon sport or just because she enjoyed the classes. I imagine it was a combination of all of the above, but either way we shared the journey together.
My two children, Rhiannon 11 and Kane 7, are not foreign to a yogic lifestyle. Both were doing yoga with me during their time in my womb and havent really stopped. Since my son was about two we have been regularly attending ‘family yoga retreats’ at Satyananda Yoga Ashram, Mangrove Mountain on the central coast of NSW. The program consists of lots of fun yoga classes including yoga Nidra where they get to relax with a guided story to help them settle their bodies and minds. Aswell as the formalised yoga, there are many activities where they can really get into the creative expression of our being that is often lost in this society of constant distraction by electronic media. When I ask them what it is that they like the most about the retreats, their highlight is the connection they get to have with the other families. The ability to just hang out and be is another experience that seems to be lacking in their day to day lives. I would say that the difference when they are at the ashram is that they can be fully present with what is going on. They have more freedom than when at home in an environment away from computers and tv. They get to explore the beautiful landscape and swim in the creek. They have more time and space to be independant, more time and space to just be….
I believe that yoga is just that – being. Being able to see beyond the illusions. Knowing how to check into our hearts when we are questioning something.
Yoga teaches us to see that happiness comes from within and that it is great to have stuff, but only if we can pause for a moment and take the time to connect with ourselves and each other.
As a family we will always plug into the yogic way. Yes, we deviate from the path here and there but it is the awareness that yoga gives, that allows us the understanding of how we fit into the ‘we’ rather than just the ‘I’. Yoga has been such a gift for my family. I hope that my children will give the gift of yoga to their children in the future.
Loving regards,
Kate Phillips
Dear Sydney,
I am teaching yoga on Friday afternoons after school. My six year old, Jasmine, is ALWAYS willing and thrilled and she really loves it! But my nine year old, Eva, is sometimes yes, sometimes no. She once said to me that she liked doing yoga but she would prefer if it was’nt her mom that gives the class. I know I can do silly faces(thanks to sydney’s wonderful teaching!) and more seriously I also have them talk about their feelings… I understand She is shy that I’m “different” from all the other moms… but today she told me the most beautiful thing: “Mom, I love you because you are unique and no one of all my friend have a mom like you!” Her words touched me so profoundly… Now I know I can trust that every little seed I plant, and most importantly, every seed that makes its way to her heart will reap some wonderful fruits.
And when I see my 17 month old baby boy doing down dog… I look forward many years of stories, yoga, sharing and fun!
namaste
I love this post! My daughter said the same thing to me the other day and I was thrilled too. I look forward to reading/learning more about Storytime Yoga and how to build a regular yoga practice as a family.
Thank you for your wonderful storytime yoga for children.
I teach 2 kids classes and while my 2yr old has been taking yoga since in the womb, she is a little younger than the age I start class(which is 4yrs). I do take her to class sometimes and she is a bit distracting cause she knows most of the poses and doesn’t want to follow Mom as the teacher but it always amazes me that even when I don’t think she is joining in in class, when we get home she either does some of the poses or talks about the class. For example we were doing Half Moon Pose against the wall and at home she proceeds to go up against the door and say “Look Mom – I’m doing Ardha Chandrasana!!” I didn’t even know she knew how to do the pose – let alone pronounce it!!
If I get a bit angry (I’m sorry but as mothers of 2yr olds are wont to do…) she looks at me lovingly and says softly “Don’t be mad Mommy” and I melt. She is my little guru. The power of yoga in her life continues to amaze me and I know it will continue to be a powerful tool to helping her become, and fulfill, the beautiful person she is. I can’t wait for the day when she tells me we should practise more yoga 🙂
Thank you for sharing the wonderful experience of your journey in Argentina & the journey of your life, it’s inspiring in so many ways.
Many Blessings,
Deirdre Vezirov
I teach children of all challenges, shapes and sizes, and I am always amazed at the way each embraces their yoga. I admire their individual efforts. Some have many physical and emotional roadblocks to overcome, but they are willing souls. What a journey!
Om Shanti Peace, Karen Rosen
Thank you for sharing your insights! I look forward to experiencing the Story of the Month Club 🙂