Will the children really relax?
Can I just have them lie down on their mat and be in savasana?
Do I play music or no music?
When should I integrate a relaxation period?
These are all very common questions that people ask when they are starting to teach yoga to children. They are also very common questions that many parents ask when signing their children up for a class or trying to incorporate yoga into their lifestyle at home.
After teaching children’s yoga for over 13 years, I can confidently say that YES children can absolutely learn to enjoy a nice relaxation segment throughout their yoga classes and learn how to incorporate them into their life, but it is HOW you integrate it and introduce relaxation to children that will make all the difference.
Let them get their sillies out!
Before attempting any sort of relaxation where you encourage children to still their bodies and minds give them an opportunity to move, groove and shake their sillies out! Kick off your yoga classes with some movement, asana, song and games. Allow children the opportunity to move and then invite relaxation to occur.
Guide & Show, don’t Show & Tell!
Children will be more receptive to a relaxation and quiet period when you also take the time to relax. Remember, Monkey See Monkey Do! If you are playing with papers, music on your phone or constantly moving while you ask them to relax then what do you think they are going to mimic? Introduce relaxation to children by guiding them. Introduce relaxation through guided meditation and relaxation; allowing their minds to have something to focus on while they encourage the rest of their body to become still. Show them what it is like to move their bodies, tense their bodies and squeeze their bodes and then become jelly like and relax. What child wants to relax when they are being TOLD they have to do something? I know many adults who also rebel at the same thought! Give suggestions, give options, share insight and watch their little bodies relax into their mats.
Let it happen on its own!
When children are ready for their bodies to relax it will happen on its own. Sometimes it takes a few classes, or even sessions, before a child feels completely comfortable in the space and learning from you with other children in the space. Allow them to become comfortable in the space, to be comfortable with you and their peers. It is very common that their little bodies will squirm, their eyes may squint or open and they may look around at others. Eventually with practice and time they will begin to soften and still. When it happens they will feel magic in their bodies
What experience and qualifications do I need to teach yoga to children?
All you need to teach yoga to children is a strong passion to work with the young and a reputable training that will help give you the tools you need to ensure you understand yoga and how to incorporate its true tradition and meaning into the life of children and hands on tips, tools and techniques to get you started.
Our Little Lotus Children’s Yoga Teacher Training is a well-rounded 16 hour training that is accredited with Yoga Alliance and taught by very experienced and reputable teachers (Yoga Alliance E-RYT’s).
There are numerous trainings that are available on the market and all claim to prepare you to teach yoga to children. We hear from our attendees over and over again who have taken other trainings that they still don’t feel ready to actually teach when they are done. Our Little Lotus trainings give you hands on experience and not just theory of what you should be doing or what you shouldn’t do.
We often receive emails sharing that you don’t have any yoga experience, or that you can’t do every yoga posture perfectly, or you don’t have experience with children but love teaching yoga.
The great thing about teaching yoga to kids is that if you are willing to be playful, willing to lead from your heart and open to learning from the most fascinating students you will ever meet then you are READY to teach yoga to kids!
Leave a Reply