Yoga for Many Purposes

One of the best things about yoga is the ability to energize OR relax our bodies depending on the poses that are practiced. In our Little Beats yoga classes, we intentionally infuse each class with both types of poses to bring children to a calmer place by the end of class.  When practicing with your children at home, we suggest starting with breath work – we LOVE Kira Willey’s Mindful Moments.  Breathing helps us to find center and get us in the correct headspace to enjoy some yoga time. 
 
Next, try some active, energizing poses.  The goal here is to really get the blood flowing!  Here are some poses featured in this video that you might try:

• ​Cat/Cow
  
• Shark
  
• Dragon

 
Finish up with a calming posture such as child’s pose.  Child’s pose is particularly effective because it draws the energy of the body inward. When we lie our forehead on the mat, we are stimulating the vagus nerve. The pressure created between the eyes helps to lower blood pressure and slow our heart rate. Do you ever find yourself resting your head on your palm when you are feeling overwhelmed? You may have been trying to regulate your nervous system!

Use this video from the Little Beats from Home collection as your guide and enjoy all the wonderful benefits of yoga!