I’ve been teaching yoga for over a decade, and I thought that I had every wonderful kids yoga book out there. This resource is something, though, that the children’s yoga world has needed- an encyclopedia of essential kids yoga poses, games, breathing, and mindfulness techniques, that is brimming with new ideas and techniques to try. I’m going to pull this book out anytime I need some new inspiration. It’s like the “Light on Yoga” for children’s yoga.
By Carolyn Clarke, Author of Imaginations: Fun Relaxation Stories and Meditations for Kids
as posted at her blog, Kids Yoga 101
I have fallen in love with the book, Yoga for Children, by Lisa Flynn. Here’s why:
1. Good introductory info
The beginning of the book outlines what
yoga is and the benefits of yoga for kids. It also has developmentally
appropriate activities based on age range and a list of props and toys
for yoga. It provides a good foundation before moving into actually
doing yoga with kids. Invaluable for a new kids yoga teacher, or a
parent that wants to do yoga with their kids.
2. Doesn’t water down yoga for kids
Includes core principles of yoga and how
to teach them to children using yoga, storybooks, and discussion
points. Not all children’s yoga resources do this!
3. Wonderful mindfulness and meditation ideas to do with kids.
Contains many original mindfulness ideas
that I’ve never thought of or seen elsewhere. Mindfulness is such an
important aspect of yoga, and it’s nice to see this section in the front
of the book before the asana section.
4. Tons of yoga poses, all listed in ABC order so they are easy to find.
Each pose includes the benefits of the
pose along with prompts of “what to do” and “what to say” when teaching
the pose. The “what to say” section truly captures the essence of kids
yoga with imaginative prompts and child-friendly language.
5. Great pictures.
Each pose has a simple and sweet photo of a child doing yoga, all in full color.
6. A whole section on partner poses.
Kids LOVE partner poses. There are some fun ones in this book that I’ve never taught before.
7. Fun games
Lots of fun games that could be used in group yoga classes or family yoga classes.
8. Songs for yoga
This is a fun section of songs, some set to classic children’s tunes, that include yoga poses and flows.
9. Great section on relaxation and visualization
Fun ideas on transitioning into
relaxation as well as beautiful guided imagery for visualization. I was
also humbled to find that my book, Imaginations, was included as a
resource in this section. What a nice surprise to find as I was reading
the book!
10. Yoga flows for kids
There is a whole section on “Putting It
All Together” filled with sequences of the poses. Each one has a length
of time and an age range, making this section very useful for kids yoga
teachers when lesson planning, or for a parent to follow along with.
———————————->>>>>>>
I’ve been teaching yoga for over a
decade, and I thought that I had every wonderful kids yoga book out
there. This resource is something, though, that the children’s yoga
world has needed- an encyclopedia of essential kids yoga poses, games,
breathing, and mindfulness techniques, that is brimming with new ideas
and techniques to try. I’m going to pull this book out anytime I need
some new inspiration. It’s like the “Light on Yoga” for children’s yoga.
Buy the book:
Childlight Yoga for signed 1st edition copies
WIN the book:
Enter the giveaway of Yoga for Children and Imaginations here.
Legal stuff:
I received a copy of this book to review. I was not obligated to like it or write a positive review. But I did. 
Namaste,
Carolyn Clarke
www.imaginationsforkids.com