Kids Yoga Teaches Connections to the Earth

Kids Yoga Teaches Connections to the Earth

Kids are eager to learn and be a part of the world around them. Kids Yoga is a perfect opportunity to introduce them to the interconnectedness of the natural world.

Environmental-themed yoga immerses kids in the incredible life of biomes: oceans, deserts, rainforests, grasslands, jungles, and arctic regions. Not only do kids learn about the biodiversity of ecosystems, but they learn how to protect our precious habitats and species.

Kids love animals, so Kids Yoga is a perfect opportunity to teach about characteristics, habitats, adaptations, predator-prey relationships, and so much more. Actively engaging with kids at the start of classes and inquiring about specific themes allows kids to apply their knowledge and really shine.

Kids love to move- see how high they can jump, show how strong they are, see how balanced they can be standing on one leg or in an arm balance. Yoga can help show how behavioral adaptations aid in species survival. Being nocturnal balances competition for food, running fast allows animals to either capture prey or escape from predators, and wallowing in mud helps animals stay cool.

Every child is unique and special. Each one has gifts that help them in life. Yoga helps kids realize their strengths as they build confidence and self-awareness. When we become more aware of ourselves, knowledge, thoughts, and actions, we are able to make better choices in the world.

Through yoga, kids discover how human actions both positively and negatively impact the survival of species. The extinction of species, such as dinosaurs, is fascinating to kids. They can learn how negative human behaviors, such as habitat destruction, fragmentation, and poaching decrease populations. But they also discover positive behaviors, such as protecting wildlife, building birdhouses, not killing insects, preserving habitats, planting trees, taking care of the planet through conserving energy and water, recycling, and reusing. Sharing actions that they do every day to help the environment show kids that they can have a positive impact.

Partner and Group Yoga allows kids to rely on each other, create greater trust, and work together. Kids discover not only how can they make a difference as individuals, but by working together, they can have a bigger impact. When we engage in Partner and Group Yoga, kids discover that working together toward a common goal can have far-reaching and greater success. Kids realize that it’s not always easy, but goals can be achieved by working together and using everyone’s strengths.

Many kids have pets. Taking care of a pet is a perfect example of how to care for other species. Kids love to talk about their pets, what they love about them, how their pets behave, and the ways they care for them. Caring for others teaches compassion, which is a huge part of yoga.

Self-compassion comes through honoring your body and how you feel. Yoga encourages kids to listen to their bodies, know when to pause and how much to go into poses, and know which poses feel right for them. Yoga helps kids learn to care for themselves by balancing play, learning, and taking time to listen to what’s going on in their bodies and minds.

Whether through themed classes, stories, or guided imagery, yoga can open new worlds to kids. It takes them to faraway environments. It helps them explore, experience, relate, and connect with the living and nonliving world. Kids Yoga not only teaches them to care for themselves, but it teaches them to care for the world around them.

Did you know you can request Family Yoga for you and your family? Help instill a sense of love for the world: https://connectionsyogava.wixsite.com/yoga.