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Here
are some of our favorite yoga poses.
Try them with your child!
Cat
and Cow Poses
Get down on your hands and knees, and spread your fingers
wide like they are cat paws. Round your back upwards as
you exhale and tuck your chin into your chest, your tailbone
under, and look towards your belly button. Really stretch
your spine and "meow" like a cat! Now inhale, arching
your back, reaching your stomach towards the floor. Lift
your chin and chest towards the sky. You can "moo" in
this stretch! Move back into Cat Pose and "meow" even
louder! Repeat about five times back and forth. This vinyasa
is great for digestion and for strengthening the spine. |
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Surfer
Pose
Start with your belly on your yoga-surfboard mat and begin to paddle out into the ocean. When you see a wave, jump up into Warrior 2 (with arms out to a "t").
Bend your front knee to really ride that wave! Imagine the wind blowing through your hair as you rip through the ocean! Reach your front arm forwards. Then your back arm backwards. Fold forward and look underneath your surfer legs. Woo-hoo!
Cartwheel your arms back down to your surfboard and bring your belly back down so you can paddle out and catch another wave. When you see one, jump back up into Warrior 2, but this time, bring your other leg to the front of your surfboard. Ride that wave! Weeeeeee! Repeat as desired. When you're ready, slowly paddle back to shore. Rest on your back and let yourself dry off in the sun. Ahhhh. This
fun, moving pose strengthens the legs, stretches the spine, and gets your heart pumping! It's also so much fun!
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Rainbow
Pose
Start in Plank Pose (like a push up with arms straight).
Slowly roll your body onto your left side, gently stacking
your right foot on top of your left, and place your right
hand at your right hip. Now lift your right hip up so
that your body forms a diagonal line from your head to
your feet. Take a few deep breaths. When you feel balanced,
raise your right arm to the sky. Imagine all the colors
of the rainbow shooting out from your fingertips! Come
down slowly, rest, and repeat on the other side. This
challenging pose strengthens the arms, legs, back and
belly, and teaches balance and concentration. Dressing in rainbow clothing is optional. |
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Tree
Pose
Stand tall with your feet together. Stretch your arms
high over your head and make a "v". Slowly start to lift
your right leg up, so that the sole of your foot meets
the inner thigh of your left leg. Spread your branch-like
fingers towards the sky. Imagine yourself to be a tall
tree high on a mountaintop and stretch even higher. Try
to balance for five breaths. Slowly release back to standing.
Repeat on the opposite side. This pose helps to improve
balance and concentration.
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Sunbathing on a Rock
The parent will begin in mouse pose or child pose. Have your child lie on your back, back to back, so that they are gently sitting on your sacrum or low back. Have your child stretch out, arms out to the sides or overhead. Then stretch out their legs. Ask your child to imagine they're a turtle sunbathing on a rock by the ocean. Take a deep breath in and out and smell the fresh sea air. Hear the peaceful sounds of the water against the rocks. Feel the warmth that the sun brings to your body. Ahhh....
To come out of the pose, the parent should sit up slowly so that the child eased back onto their feet. Both parent and child should rest in mouse or child pose for a few more breaths. |
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