I absolutely love teaching yoga to kids in the Summer – the fresh air, endless sun and overall relaxed Summertime vibe creates a different energy in my classes. I used to worry that teaching outside would distract my students, but I’ve witnessed and learned that being outside creates a perfect background for mindfulness and focus.
Over the next few weeks, I plan on teaching the following themes to my new & returning students. These have been on a regular rotation in my schedule during the Summer months.
What is yoga?
A class focused on breath, drishti and form. I typically use a class like this as an introduction to a yoga series or with new students. I use it to understand my students abilities and to determine what I need to focus on during that class. Hoberman Spheres are always a hit in these classes – and so are my Bling Rings Their responses change year over year so it is a class that I can repeat and the outcome will be different each time!
Both the Hoberman Spheres and Bling Rings can be used for yoga games that emphasize body awareness and community (use both props for games!). I find that these props are engaging for students of all ages!
Beach yoga
This is where we practice dolphin, fish and surfing (Warrior 1 and 2). I love this variation of Dolphin Pose by Cosmic Kids. For Surfer Pose, we practice Warrior 1 and Warrior 2 and then I like to “wipe out” by cartwheeling our hands into a chattaranga. I love to have the children wiggle while in Warrior and pretend huge waves are coming to knock us down. Once we land on our bellies, we swim to shore.
Fun props include beach towels as yoga mats, sunglasses for Savasana and small beach balls in lieu of yoga blocks. The small beach balls are the perfect size for little hands and feet!
Fourth of July & Fireworks
The perfect class to explode into Fireworks and talk about independence. For Firework pose we start crouching down in a ball on our feet, then we jump up in the air and explode – by stretching out our arms and legs as wide as we can. You can make this into a yoga game by starting the class in Firework and then having each student take a turn by calling a different yoga pose and the entire class jumping into that pose on their command.
Summer Fun
This is where I include ALL of the things children like to do in the summer. We practice breathing with bubbles, swimming on our bellies, riding yoga bicycles, going on boats. The children love to share the activities they like to do in the Summer – and make up poses that go along with their stories. I have found giving my students the opportunity to share and lead the class builds trust and creates community.
Up Next…
With the Olympics set to start in Paris this Summer, I am definitely going to be doing an Olympics themed class. Stay tuned for a post on that. I would love some more ideas and themes for what themes YOU teach during the Summer months!
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