Kids are a powerhouse of energy and if you don’t channelise that energy into something fun and productive, they are bound to get into some kind of mischief or do something destructive. The idea is to get some of that energy out and do something that is quick and fun. Animal yoga is the ideal activity at such times as kids love animals and it keeps them engaged. Animal yoga poses for kids improve strength and balance and are known for their health benefits. It also does wonders for flexibility, body awareness, respiration, digestion and reduces stress.
Animals are a great way to introduce kids to yoga and you can make it even more interesting for them by adding funny animal yoga poses and animal sounds. It will promote a connection between you and your kid as you roar together like a lion , moo like a cow or neigh like a horse. Don’t worry about perfection as you will have loads of fun and you can really use your imagination as you do yoga poses with animal names.
Horse Stance
Tell your child to stand with their legs apart and feet facing a bit outwards. They should bend their knees and stand firm like just a horse. They should lift their hands over their head or place their palms together in front of their chest. Talk to them about different colour horses and ask them which is their favourite colour in a horse. End with a loud neigh.
Cat Pose
Get on to all fours, round your back, and pull your chin towards your chest. Pretend to be a cat just up from a nap and give a musical miaow.
Cow Pose
Get on to all fours, take a deep breath, arch your spine lifting your pelvic bones upwards and look up at the ceiling. Bring your shoulder blades together and roll your shoulders back and down as you pretend to be a cow grazing. End with a hearty moo.
Tiger Pose
Also known as the Extended Cat Pose, your kid should get on to all fours, extend one leg behind and look in front. Stretch the opposite arm in front of you to counterbalance and the repeat on the other side. Ask your child to either purr or roar.
Bear Pose
Another name for Happy Baby Pose, it is one of the funny animal yoga poses that kids love doing. First of all, lie on your back and hug your knees to your chest. Tuck your chin into your chest. Hold the outer part of your feet with your hands and rock like a happy baby. Talk to your kid about how a small, cuddly bear cub grows up to be a huge bear and ask them to growl like a bear.
Cobra Pose
Lie on your tummy, with the tops of your feet resting on the floor. Place your hands under your shoulders. Inhale and lift your chest off the ground. Hold for 5 seconds, exhale while hissing like a snake.
Butterfly Pose
Start by sitting on the mat with your legs stretched out straight in front of you. Bend your right leg so that your sole is flat against the ground and your right heel is close to your hips. Do the same with your left leg. Then, lower your legs gently to the side with your knees still bent. The soles of your feet will remain pressed together. Catch your left big toe with your left index finger and do the same with the right toe. Keep your back straight, shoulders back and chest broad. Move your legs up and down like the fluttering wings of a butterfly.
Fish Pose
Lie on your back with your knees bent and soles of the feet flat on the mat. Inhale and raise your hips slightly off the mat, place your hands underneath your buttocks with the palms down. Keep your arms and elbows as close to your trunk as possible. Draw your shoulder blades towards each other, take a deep breath and lift your head and chest off the floor towards the ceiling. Tilt your head back so the crown of your head rests on the mat.
Lion Pose
Begin by kneeling on your mat. Rest your buttocks on your heels and spread your knees as wide as you find comfortable. Exhale and place your palms flat in the space between your knees, fingers facing your heels, and keeping your shoulders broad. Allow your trunk to lean forward keeping your spine long and straight. Extend the crown of your head upwards and let your gaze rest above your eyebrows. Stick out your tongue to your chin and on the next exhale, breathe loudly making a ‘Haaaa!’ sound.
Dog Pose
One of the simplest animal yoga poses for kids, start this pose on your hands and knees. Lift your hips upwards by straightening your legs while the hands remain on the floor. Let your head hang down. Wag your tail and bark for fun. Come out of the pose by lowering your knees back to the floor.
Rabbit Pose
Start by kneeling on the ground and clasp your left wrist with your right hand behind your back. Bend forward and rest your forehead on the floor in front of your knees. Lift your arms up behind your back.
Eagle Pose
Stand up straight, cross the left foot over the right and hook it behind the right calf. Bend your knees. Cross your arms at the elbows and then twist them so that your palms are touching together with your fingertips pointing up.
If you find this pose difficult, the seated eagle pose is simpler. Sit with your legs crossed, spread your arms outwards and hug yourself.
Donkey Kicks
This is another one of the funny animal yoga poses that kids love. Get down on your hands and knees and kick backwards with one foot and then do the same with the other. Make sure there is a lot of room for this pose as otherwise children start kicking one another.
These are just a few of the animal yoga poses for children that offer the benefits of yoga. They are a great way to dissipate all their surplus energy while also giving kids a good workout. It is great for enhancing their physical and mental health and has a calming effect on children. Yoga keeps them more focused and in good health.
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