Toddler Yoga A Classroom Activity Designed by: Alicia Crowl & Amy Bullerman Student Physical Therapists

Yoga Perform each pose 3-5 times each Hold each pose 5-10 seconds each Benefits Directions Improves strength, balance, coordination, and social skills Promotes concentration and focus Encourages kids to follow directions Early research has shown that daily yoga in the classroom may reduce kids’ aggressive behavior, social withdrawal, and hyperactivity. Perform each pose 3-5 times each Hold each pose 5-10 seconds each

Butterfly Sit on the floor and place the soles of your feet together Reach forward while wiggling your fingers like butterfly wings Then reach to each side with butterfly fingers

Cat Get down on all 4’s like a kitty cat Arch your back and bring your head between your arms Then bring your belly towards the floor and your head up until you feel a good stretch Make it more fun by making cat sounds “Meow”

Child’s Pose Starting position is on all 4’s Next lean back onto your feet and keep your arms above your head

Cobra First lay completely on your stomach Next keeping your legs on the floor, use your arms to push up and raise your head up tall like a cobra/snake Make hissing sounds to make it more fun

Downward Dog This pose resembles that of an upside down letter V Stand with feet apart Then place hands on floor also keeping knees, back, and arms straight

Sunrise/Sunset Stand up tall Bring your arms out to the side and then above your head making a big circle like the sun Then gently lower Lift your arms above your head

Wave the Wheat Stand up tall with feet apart Now place your right hand on your hip and reach the left arm overhead Reach towards the right side to get a good stretch Repeat on the other side

Airplane Stand up straight and tall Reach your arms out to the sides at shoulder height Lean forward and lift one foot up off the ground Stretch your arms to the sides and try to maintain your balance Now try Airplane pose on the other side

Gorilla Stand up tall with your legs wide apart Bend forward at the waist, bending your knees a little bit Let your arms hang down in front of you and swing your upper body back and forth like a gorilla

Tree Stand up tall Lift your right leg and place it on you left leg, above the knee (or below the knee if that's more comfortable) Now stretch your arms up like branches Then try the Tree pose on the other side

Volcano Start by rubbing your hands together like lava bubbling before the volcano erupts Get into a squatting position (while still rubbing hands together) Count to three outloud Then stand up fast and raise arms overhead like a volvano erupting Make an exploding sound as the volcano erupts