Space yoga for kids combines yoga and imagination to give both young, developing bodies and brains some stimulation. Together, it’s out of this world.
Outer space is full of stars. Our sun is a giant star. An easy yoga pose is the star pose. Kids stand with legs apart and arms outstretched. Two hands, two feet, and one head make five points, just like a star. Kids can imagine they are a star high up in the sky and far away in space. What might they see looking down on the world? Stars give light and the sun warms the Earth. What does it feel like to be light?
The sun is for day and the moon is for night. The moon is not always the same shape. Since it sometimes has a crescent or letter C shape, there is a yoga pose called the crescent moon. To make this shape, kids stand with feet together. Hands stretch high up in the sky with palms together. Curve the body over to one side and then to the other. The moon is far away, but not as far away as the other planets of the sun.
Only twelve people have ever walked on the moon. What might it be like to go to the moon?
To get to space, we use rockets. Rockets are a tall, straight shape. Trees are that shape too so this pose is named the tree pose. Start with feet together. Balance on the left leg and bend the right knee out to the side and slide the foot up the left leg. Slowly lift the arms high over the head until hands touch together, pointing up. Imagine how exciting it would be to be a rocket.
Squatting is such a natural position for children. We often see kids squatting as they play. From a squat, kids count down. When they get to blast off, they can jump up from the squat and zoom around.
There is, of course, more to yoga than this but it’s a beginning. In her article, 7 Ways Kids Benefit from Yoga, Karen Fabian writes:
“Yoga helps kids to:
- Develop body awareness
- Learn how to use their bodies in a healthy way
- Manage stress through breathing, awareness, meditation and healthy movement
- Build concentration
- Increase their confidence and positive self-image
- Feel part of a healthy, non-competitive group
- Have an alternative to tuning out through constant attachment to electronic devices”
There are discoveries for inner space not just outer space. Would your child like to explore some space yoga for kids?