| Toddlers believe the entire world is their yoga mat and | | | | Star - Stand tall with arms extended and legs wide to |
| many of the movements which they do intuitively | | | | create a 5 pointed star with the body. Shift your |
| mirror classic yoga postures. Yoga will help to redirect | | | | weight from one foot to the other while singing |
| attention and energy in toddlers and is a useful tool in | | | | "Twinkle, Twinkle." |
| avoiding meltdowns. Doing these poses is a wonderful | | | | Burrito - Unroll a yoga mat or soft blanket onto the |
| way for parents to awaken their inner child and have | | | | floor. Invite the child to lie down across the mat with |
| fun by modeling the poses. Be sure to provide simple | | | | head and shoulders above the side (do not cover the |
| instructions and generous amounts of specific praise | | | | face). Roll the child up into the mat/blanket (with or |
| thereby making yoga a positive and playful experience. | | | | without a stuffed animal friend). Once rolled up, pretend |
| Also, encourage creativity and expression while | | | | to eat your yummy burrito. |
| adapting the poses to the energy and needs of your | | | | Half Moon - Stand with feet slightly apart. Inhale and |
| child. Most of all, enjoy spending time playing yoga | | | | stretch an arm in a circle to the side up alongside the |
| together. Namaste. | | | | ear. Exhale and give a gentle side bend. Repeat on the |
| Cat/Cow - Begin on all fours. Inhale, look up at the | | | | opposite side. |
| ceiling allowing the belly to drop. Exhale, curl your back, | | | | Silly Spins - Spin in circles, first one direction, then in the |
| looking toward your belly. Repeat three times. Be sure | | | | opposite direction. You can hold hands while spinning or |
| to meow. | | | | spin individually. When finished pretend falling to the |
| Down Dog - Begin on all fours. Curl the toes under. Lift | | | | ground to safely recover from dizziness. This is a fun |
| the hips and lower the head making a triangle with | | | | way to cure fussiness. |
| your body. Wag your tail and bark like a dog. | | | | Lion - Sit or kneel. Tighten your face, chest & hands. |
| Tree - Stand tall. Lift one foot and rest it on the side of | | | | Let it all go as you roar, extending arms, sticking out |
| the shin of the other leg. Hold onto a hand, wall, chair at | | | | the tongue, and opening eyes wide. Repeat three |
| the beginning. As balance and concentration improve | | | | times. |
| try it standing alone. Be sure to balance on both sides. | | | | Alligator - Lay down on your side with your legs |
| JUMPING TREE: hop on one foot while doing tree | | | | extended. Lift top leg up and down. Say "Alligator, |
| pose, or FALLING TREE: gently and safely fall out of | | | | alligator, crunch, crunch, crunch." Repeat on opposite |
| tree pose. | | | | side. Do it quickly to invigorate; slowly to calm. |