Yoga for Children: 200+ Yoga Poses, Breathing Exercises, and Meditations for Healthier, Happier, More Resilient Children
by Lisa Flynn, E-RYT, RCYT
Adams Media, 2013, 319 pages, $18.99
ISBN 10: 1-4405-5463-3
My journey into the realm of yoga for kids was unexpected, yet Lisa Flynn’s insightful book captivated me from the start. This engagement stems not only from Flynn’s extensive teaching and training expertise but also from the book’s impeccable organization.
Lisa Flynn is widely recognized for founding ChildLight Yoga, a training center in the United States dedicated to empowering children and youth to foster resilience, cultivate positive mindsets, establish healthy routines, and practice mindfulness. In her writing, Flynn articulates how developing these essential qualities enables children to flourish as imaginative learners and empathetic, respectful, and self-aware individuals amid life’s challenges.
Yoga for Children elegantly condenses much of the educational material from ChildLight Yoga into a practical format that is easy to implement. Through a clear, non-dogmatic lens, Flynn introduces playful games and poses that incorporate elements of breath, movement, meditation, and affirmation. Furthermore, these activities foster a deeper connection between parent and child while encouraging intergenerational play.
Before flipping through the pages, ensure you pay attention to the vital section entitled “Ten Tips to Success.” This segment covers crucial parental expectations, strategies to encourage participation, and more. It is followed by a visually engaging, photo-rich assortment of activities tailored for children ranging from toddlers to early teens. No matter their age, your child is sure to resonate with the kids depicted within, providing an excellent pathway to engage them in yoga practice.
Still contemplating whether yoga is the right choice for your family? Consider “back writing,” a fun, tactile meditation where parents and children trace letters on each other’s backs. You can also try activities like “washing machine,” “bunny breathing,” and “crashing wave breath.” Can you strike a pose like an airplane, a cricket, a boat, a sandwich, a spider, or a lizard resting on a rock? Children’s yoga offers an abundance of playful and imaginative opportunities for everyone involved.
With vibrant photographs illustrating the poses, along with detailed “what to say” sections for each activity, Flynn expertly guides parents on how to introduce each pose or meditation to their children. Her practical suggestions make it easy for families to dive into this book and begin their yoga journey immediately. Yoga for Children is an outstanding resource suitable for families, presented in a high-quality format that delivers remarkable value. In my view, it has already earned a place as a classic.
