Inspiring Good Cheer: Yoga Poses to Ring in the Holidays

Yoga Poses to ring in the Holidays

As the holidays are upon us, it seems like everyone is traveling to spend time with loved ones or hosting people for festivities. All of the holiday “hubbub” can get children rather excited. To instill a sense of peace in your kids, and maintain the fun factor of the holidays, the following are some poses to enjoy as a family.

Shine Like a Star. This is an enjoyable pose you can do lying down or standing up. Extend each limb to make the body like a star, reaching the arms and legs out in different directions. Tell youngsters to try and touch the clouds or reach for the walls. Then have children take a deep breath and sigh. While continuing to hold the pose, lead a song of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or recite together the Star Light, Star Bright nursery rhyme. Encouraging a few final breaths, tell children to imagine they are bright shining stars with each breath, and as they sigh they get brighter and shinier for everyone to admire.

Go Over the River and Through the Woods. Another pose to ground and comfort children is mountain pose. Have kids stand with their hands by their side and feet about one inch apart. Ask them to close their eyes, feel the sway of their bodies and picture taking a journey to a favorite place. If you’re headed to a destination, before getting in the car or boarding a plane, try the pose and remind kids they can always close their eyes and think of a beautiful place they once enjoyed visiting or look forward to exploring. While traveling, I tell my daughter that the faster she gets to sleep, the quicker we get there. It works! She always falls asleep quickly.

Slide Away. As the snow appeals to the kid in all of us during the holidays, try sled pose. Sit on the floor with your legs extended out and your toes flexed up, forming a sled. Reach out your arms like you are holding onto the sled to maneuver it. Try to grab your toes for a greater stretch and then have your munchkin sit on your lap and go for a ride. Venture together on a playful pretend sled ride. Wrap your arms around your child as if to form a seatbelt— and to show affection. Make believe you are going down a hill and making turns along the way. Whether you make it a smooth or a bumpy a ride, enjoy the cuddling time with your child. At the end of the ride, take a big breath and sigh with your child.

Have fun with these poses and cherish the rest of your holidays. Wherever you travel or go in your imagination, take pictures of your beautiful journeys.

Kami Evans is a Registered Yoga Teach and Children Registered Yoga Teacher, she is also a Family and Child Advocate and speaks at various events in the US and UK.

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• Yoga Tips for Traveling with Children
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• Ballet Yoga – for children with special needs
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• Summertime Fun with Yoga

This post originally appeared on our November/December 2011 Magazine