Yoga & Early Childhood Literacy: Oh, A-Hunting We Will Go

Note: As an Amazon Associate Shining Kids Yoga earns from qualifying purchases from some of the links in this article.

Children’s yoga classes have many benefits for young children. In addition to teaching skills directly related to the practice of yoga, including: increased emotional self-regulation, strength, flexibility, and concentration, early-childhood yoga classes also have the added benefits of incorporating early-childhood literacy, musical skills, and more.

Although there are many wonderful yoga books for children, one of my favorite things to do in early-childhood yoga classes is take a “non-yoga” children’s book and add yoga to it.

Below are yoga pose suggestions for a yoga class built around the classic song and book, Oh, A-Hunting We Will Go by John Langstaff and illustrated by Nancy Winslow Parker. Note, in order to comply with copyright laws, only select words/phrases from the book that are linked to the yoga pose will be posted below.

Directions:

1. Read/Sing through the entire book. Singing is a wonderful way of practicing pranayama (deep breathing) to familiarize the children with the book and song.

2. Read/sing through the book a second time, this time stopping to do the following yoga poses and breathing (pranayama) activities:

Put him in a box - box pose (table pose with cat/cow spinal stretch)

Instruct children to look down and say hello to the fox in the box (“hello Mr. Fox!”) and then look up to see if there are any other foxes around. Repeat this 3-4 times (note for yoga teachers - this is the cat/cow spinal stretch)

Put him in a pram - pram pose (crab walk).

Explain to children that pram is another word for stroller. This helps build vocabulary. Have them roll the pram forward (crab walk forward) and roll the pram backwards (pram walk backwards).

Put him in a boat - Yoga pose: Boat pose

Put him in underwear -first and very important remind the students that this is just pretend and everyone needs to keep their clothes on!

Yoga pose/stretch: Stretch arms and legs up, take a deep breath in and then roar like a bear!

Put him in a pail - curl up in pail pose (child’s pose) and take 3 deep breaths

Put him in a cake - Snake pose

take 3 snake breaths (hiss). Then sing the “Happy Birthday” song to Mr. Snake. After the song, blow out the birthday candles and eat a piece of cake.

Put him in a house - Crescent pose - stand up feet apart, arms overhead. Lean forward and look down into the house - eek! There’s a mouse!

We’ll catch a pig - be a pig rolling in the mud (Happy Baby pose rocking side to side)

Optional Science extension - explain to children that pigs roll in the mud to help them cool off.

Put him in a bunk… - anahatasana (puppy dog pose)

And put him in a pillow - seated forward fold

And put him in a dish… - fish pose (locust) kick arms and legs to swim

And put him in a chorus… - Dinosaur pose (dog with one leg lifted - like a long neck)

Last verse of the song/end of the book - seated wide angle stretch arms right and left

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Images of Some of The Yoga Poses Described Above

Click Here to Purchase Kids Yoga Card Deck Or Kids Yoga Cards Digital Download

Book Extension Opportunities

To build creativity: After the book is over, ask the children to create their own verse of the song and select or create their own yoga pose to go along with it.

To connect to yoga philosophy: Discussion on Ahimsa (kindness/non-harming towards self and others) - Ask the class why does the song say “and then we’ll let them go” and at the end of the song “we’ll always let them go?”

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Note: As an Amazon Associate, Shining Kids Yoga earns from qualifying purchases from some of the links in this blog

Andrea Creel, MSW, LCSW-C, E-RYT 200, YACEP

Andrea is the founder of Shining Kids Yoga, which began as an after-school program at her son's elementary school in 2014. She has been teaching yoga to all ages since 2005.  Andrea completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. In addition, she received specialized training in children’s yoga from the Radiant Child Yoga program, training in postnatal yoga from Baby OM,  and training in therapeutic yoga from  The Samarya Center.

Andrea is the author of Mystery Pose: A Yoga Guessing Game (affiliate link) and the creator of two yoga card games for kids: Double the Fun Yoga Cards and Yoga Pose or Dare. She is also the creator and facilitator of the Shining Kids Yoga Kids Yoga Teacher Training, a 17-hour certification program in teaching yoga to kids.

When not teaching or practicing yoga, Andrea enjoys playing board games with her son, Quinn, singing at open mics, trying out new vegetarian recipes, and building community in ways big and small!

The Alphabet Yoga Game: Flexibility, Literacy + Fun!

One of my favorite things to do as a children’s yoga teacher is create new and fun yoga games to help children engage with yoga in a developmentally appropriate way. The Yoga Alphabet game is a great way to engage children ages 2-6 in the practice of yoga while also reinforcing and developing early literacy and phonics skills.

Materials:

To play this game with children, you will need a deck of yoga pose cards

(Optional) A set of alphabet flashcards or an alphabet poster

Warm Up:

Sit in Criss Cross Yoga Sauce (Sukhasana) and sing the Alphabet Song while stretching arms side to side

How to Play:

Note: This game works best with children who are already familiar with the names of yoga poses and how to do the poses.

1. Pick two yoga pose cards (make sure the names of the poses start with different letters). Based on the cards, decide which letter you are going to use and ask the kids “Which pose starts with the letter ______?” If you have an alphabet poster or flashcards, you can point to the letter on the poster.

2. Children call out the name of the pose that starts with the selected letter

3. Everyone does that pose!
   

   Example:

   Hold up the yoga pose cards below and ask “Which pose starts with the letter D? D-D-Dancer? or F-F-Frog?” Emphasize the starting sound for each word to help children guess the correct pose name.

   For younger children (ages 2-3) you can add in/turn the question into a song: Which pose starts with D song

Depending on the age and skill level of the children, you may need to assist the children in figuring out the correct pose. Once the children have guessed the pose, everyone does the pose together!

If you sang a song during the guessing portion, you can sing again while the kids are doing the pose to reinforce the starting letter/sound and help synthesize this knowledge for the kids by combining sound/song with the physical movement of the pose. In this example, you would sing the Dancer Starts with D song. You can adapt the tune to fit with whatever letter and pose you are using.

This game can be played for as long as the kids are having fun, and you can repeat poses/letters as a tool to help with learning and mastery of the poses and letter sounds. Children love guessing the correct answer, so if there is a card/pose they did not guess, y9ou can come back to it again later in the game.

This simple activity “gamifies” yoga and helps develop gross motor and literacy skills in the littlest yogis.

I’d love to hear how this game goes in your yoga classes or at home with your children! Please comment below or send me a note and share your experiences!

Wishing you peace, love, and yoga!

- Andrea

Note: As an Amazon Associate, Shining Kids Yoga earns from qualifying purchases from some of the links in this blog

Andrea Creel, MSW, LCSW-C, E-RYT 200, YACEP

Andrea is the founder of Shining Kids Yoga, which began as an after-school program at her son's elementary school in 2014. She has been teaching yoga to all ages since 2005.  Andrea completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. In addition, she received specialized training in children’s yoga from the Radiant Child Yoga program, training in postnatal yoga from Baby OM,  and training in therapeutic yoga from  The Samarya Center.

Andrea is the author of Mystery Pose: A Yoga Guessing Game (affiliate link) and the creator of two yoga card games for kids: Double the Fun Yoga Cards and Yoga Pose or Dare. She is also the creator and facilitator of the Shining Kids Yoga Kids Yoga Teacher Training, a 17-hour certification program in teaching yoga to kids.

When not teaching or practicing yoga, Andrea enjoys playing board games with her son, Quinn, singing at open mics, trying out new vegetarian recipes, and building community in ways big and small!

Back-to-School Breathing for a Peaceful First Day of School

Heading back to school can bring up a whole bunch of emotions for children - excitement, anticipation, and sometimes, anxiety. Yoga can give children, even the littlest ones, powerful tools to calm and ease these feelings through deep breathing practices.  And for any nervous or stressed out parents, these techniques will work for you, too!

1. Air conditioner breath (sitali breath) - lots of kids love curling their tongues, so if that is a favorite activity for your child, have them curl their tongue as they imagine sucking in through a straw (there will be a little sucking noise while they're doing this) and then breathe out slowly through their nose.  Tell them to feel the cool air on their tongue as they breathe in (that's why I call it "air-conditioner breath").  Breathing in this way slows down the breath, which promotes a relaxation response in the body, it also produces a cooling sensation which can be helpful as kids can often feel warm or flushed when they're feeling nervous.

2. Starfish breath - have your child stretch out their arm in front of them and spread their fingers like the shape of a starfish.  Have them take the pointer finger of their other hand and trace up and down each finger slowly.  Each time they trace up, breathe in, each time they trace down, breathe out.  Instruct your child to do this as slowly as possible. Breathing in this way puts your child's focus on the action of looking at their hand and tracing instead of getting caught up in anxious thoughts and slows down their breath which promotes a relaxation response.

If your child is nervous about leaving you in the morning or going into the school building, try spending 5 minutes each morning practicing these breathing techniques together. Your child can also practice these techniques at bedtime if school anxiety is making it difficult to fall asleep. If you start to notice your own anxiety levels rising, try practicing a few rounds yourself!

Both of these breathing practices can be done any time your child needs to feel a little more calm and peaceful inside.  We will be practicing these breathing techniques and many other calming practices in our before & after-school yoga classes this fall.  You can register your child for yoga class at our class registration site.

We wish all of our Shining Kids Yoga students and families a fun & exciting first day of school!

Andrea Creel, MSW, LMSW, E-RYT 200, YACEP

Andrea is the founder of Shining Kids Yoga, which began as an after-school program at her son's elementary school in 2014. She has been teaching yoga to all ages since 2005.  Andrea completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. In addition, she received specialized training in children’s yoga from the Radiant Child Yoga program, training in postnatal yoga from Baby OM,  and training in therapeutic yoga from  The Samarya Center.

Andrea is the author of Mystery Pose: A Yoga Guessing Game (affiliate link) and the creator of two yoga card games for kids: Double the Fun Yoga Cards and Yoga Pose or Dare. She is also the creator and facilitator of the Shining Kids Yoga Kids Yoga Teacher Training, a 17-hour certification program in teaching yoga to kids.

When not teaching or practicing yoga, Andrea enjoys playing board games with her son, Quinn, singing karaoke, and trying out new vegetarian recipes!

Parents Need Yoga, Too (FREE yoga classes for grownups)

This fall, Shining Kids Yoga is offering 3 FREE outdoor yoga classes for adults in Rockville, MD. Class will be held on Thursdays from 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. on September 5, 12, and 26 (no class on September 19)

ABOUT THE CLASS:

Start your morning with bliss and relaxation surrounded by the beauty of nature, green grass, and the nurturing shade and cool breeze of the trees.
This class for adults (18+) and is appropriate for those new to yoga as well as those who want a slower paced class focused on pose alignment, breathwork, and meditation.Classes will include the sun salutation sequence and a variety of standing, balancing, backbending, and seated poses. Variations and modifications will be offered for poses to help each participant adapt the practice to their body.

Each week will include a different theme and pose focus:

September 5 - grounding/stability - standing poses
September 12 - connecting to the Earth - seated and supine poses
September 26 - Fall Equinox celebration - creating balance

Because this class is held outside please be aware that the ground may be uneven. **In case of rain, class will be cancelled.**

Location: 400 Casey Lane, Rockville, MD 20850 (outside the Fallsgrove Clubhouse building)

To receive class updates/rain cancellation notices, register online (FREE class): Outdoor Yoga for Adults Series

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:

This class will be taught by Andrea Creel, yoga teacher and owner of Shining Kids Yoga & Inspiration Yoga & Wellness LLC. Andrea has been teaching yoga for over 19 years and has been a resident of Fallsgrove since 2002.

How to Play the Color Yoga Game

One of my favorite things about teaching yoga to young children is the infinite ways to turn children’s love of sharing about themselves into a game AND a way to practice yoga!

The Color Yoga Game allows children to share their favorite colors with the yoga teacher and their friends and is a HIT in my classes for children ages 3-5.

Rules:

• teacher names a color and shows a yoga pose card

• any child who likes that color does the pose

• children may select as many colors as they want!

This is an easy and fun way to get children to practice many yoga poses. I recommend holding the pose and counting to 5 or 10.

Here are some colors you can use during the game: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, white, black, brown, RAINBOW (a preschool favorite color), peach, teal, beige/tan, indigo, violet, maroon, gold, silver

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Andrea Creel, MSW, LMSW, E-RYT 200, YACEP

Andrea is the founder of Shining Kids Yoga, which began as an after-school program at her son's elementary school in 2014. She has been teaching yoga to all ages since 2005.  Andrea completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. In addition, she received specialized training in children’s yoga from the Radiant Child Yoga program, training in postnatal yoga from Baby OM,  and training in therapeutic yoga from  The Samarya Center.

Andrea is the author of Mystery Pose: A Yoga Guessing Game (affiliate link) and the creator of two yoga card games for kids: Double the Fun Yoga Cards and Yoga Pose or Dare. She is also the creator and facilitator of the Shining Kids Yoga Kids Yoga Teacher Training, a 17-hour certification program in teaching yoga to kids.

When not teaching or practicing yoga, Andrea enjoys playing board games with her son, Quinn, singing karaoke, and trying out new vegetarian recipes!

3 Ways to Teach Lovingkindness to Kids

Note: As an Amazon Associate, Shining Kids Yoga earns from qualifying purchases from the links in this article.

Lovingkindness (metta) meditation is a well known meditation practice that builds feelings of love and being loved by sending words of love and kindness to yourself, loved ones, and all beings in ever widening circles. This meditation is traditionally practiced by adults, but there are many ways this meditation can be adapted for children as young as 3.

Below are three ways you can teach and practice lovingkindness meditation with young children:

.1. Lovingkindness Fill-In-The Blank Activity Sheet
Download Shining Kids Yoga's Lovingkindness Meditation Activity Sheet. This simple activity sheet guides children step-by-step in creating their own unique meditation sending love and kindness to the special people in their lives. Click to get your free download (for personal and educational use only): https://shiningkidsyoga.com/store/lovingkindnessworksheet

2. Read Along Meditation: Audrey’s Journey: Loving Kindness by Kerry Alison Wekelo

This book teaches the practice of lovingkindess meditation in a simple-child friendly way, through the eyes of a girl named Audrey. Audrey offers wishes of lovingkindness to herself, her brother, her mom, her dad, and all beings. Children can easily repeat these wishes along with Audrey. After reading the book, I like to ask each child in my class who else they want to offer lovingkindness to, and I love hearing all of their sweet responses, including wishing lovingkindness to their cat, their stuffed animals, grandparents, and friends. Even though I’ve recommended this book for ages 5-10, I’ve also had great success reading it and practicing the meditation with older preschool/pre-k students, too!

3. Guided Audio Lovingkindness Relaxation for Kids

The child-friendly guided audio relaxation below teaches the practice of lovingkindness (metta) meditation to young children. Perfect for Valentine's Day or any day of the year! This child-friendly meditation will help your child feel more calm, happy, and loved. Children can listen to this lovingkindness meditation at bedtime or anytime they want to feel more kind, loving, and peaceful.

Narration by Andrea Creel, founder of Shining Kids Yoga http://www.shiningkidsyoga.com Music by David Fesliyan Image by Brett Sayles from Pexels https://shadowburn.org

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Andrea Creel, MSW, LMSW, E-RYT 200, YACEP

Andrea is the founder of Shining Kids Yoga, which began as an after-school program at her son's elementary school in 2014. She has been teaching yoga to all ages since 2005.  Andrea completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. In addition, she received specialized training in children’s yoga from the Radiant Child Yoga program, training in postnatal yoga from Baby OM,  and training in therapeutic yoga from  The Samarya Center.

Andrea is the author of Mystery Pose: A Yoga Guessing Game (affiliate link) and the creator of two yoga card games for kids: Double the Fun Yoga Cards and Yoga Pose or Dare. She is also the creator and facilitator of the Shining Kids Yoga Kids Yoga Teacher Training, a 17-hour certification program in teaching yoga to kids.

When not teaching or practicing yoga, Andrea enjoys playing board games with her son, Quinn, singing karaoke, and trying out new vegetarian recipes!

Cyber Monday Deals

Details:
Must use code TREEPOSE30 at checkout to receive discount - discount will not be provided retroactively
Valid Monday, November 27th from 6 a.m. - Wednesday, November 29th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time only. No rain checks, extensions, or exceptions.
Discounts available when purchasing from the following sites ONLY:
Class Registration discount: www.shiningkidsyoga.com/registration
Product discount: www.shiningkidsyoga.com/store

Class discounts are NOT available on the Kiddo.us website
Product discounts are NOT available on the Sawyer class registration website

WINTER 2024 YOGA CLASS LOCATIONS

Winter 2024 Yoga Classes will be offered at the following schools:

Bayard Rustin Elementary
Beverly Farms Elementary
Cedar Grove Elementary
Cold Spring Elementary
Fallsmead Elementary
Farmland Elementary
Flower Valley Elementary
Greenwood Elementary
Oakland Terrace Elementary
Ritchie Park Elementary
Rock Creek Forest Elementary
Sherwood Elementary
Wayside Elementary
Wyngate Elementary

Registration for ALL of our winter classes is available at www.shiningkidsyoga.com/registration 
If you have questions or would like to bring after-school yoga to a school not listed above, please email info@shiningkidsyoga.com

Gratitude Meditation for Kids

Help your child feel calm and build their “gratitude muscle with this relaxing guided meditation from Shining Kids Yoga founder, Andrea Creel!

Close your eyes, let your body relax and be still. Take a deep breath in through your nose, deep breath out through your mouth. As you close your eyes, imagine in your mind, someone in your family who you love very much. It could be your mom or dad, or brother or sister, or grandma or grandpa. Think about something wonderful that they have done for you that you are grateful for. Maybe they give good hugs, or they’ve taken you somewhere special, or they give good food for you to eat. Take a moment in your mind to imagine that person and thank them for something that you are grateful for. And now take a moment to imagine one of your friends, you can imagine them in your mind and think about things about your friend that you are thankful for. Maybe they play fun games with you, maybe they’re kind to you when you’re sad. Take a moment to remember all the things that you are grateful for about your friend. And now imagine in your mind, your favorite teacher. It could be your teacher at school this year or it could be a teacher in the past or it could be someone who has taught you a special activity like soccer or music. Imagine that teacher in your mind and think about what you are grateful for. Maybe they’ve taught you something important. Maybe they have been kind to you - whatever it is, take a moment to be thankful and remember all the wonderful things that teacher has done. And now take a few moments to think of three things in your life that you are thankful for - maybe it’s something in nature - the beautiful trees or a sunny day. Maybe it’s something that you have in your life - like enough yummy food to eat or a cozy bed to sleep in at night. Maybe it is special experiences that you’ve gotten to have in your life - like going to school or on a special trip. Whatever it is, take a moment to remind yourself of those things that you are thankful for in your life.

Take a deep breath in through your nose, deep breath out through your mouth. Remember how lucky and special you are. Remembering all the wonderful people and things that you have in your life; being grateful for everyone and everything.

As you rest and relax, you can keep thinking of more and more things that you are thankful for. Take a deep breath in, deep breath out. Filling your heart and mind with love and gratitude as you rest and relax.

Meditation created and narrated by Andrea Creel

Fall 2023 Yoga Class Registration Is Open - Classes Start End of September

YOGA FOR KIDS in Rockville, Potomac, Bethesda, Olney/Brookville, Germantown, and Silver Spring, Maryland

Shining Kids Yoga is bringing our award-winning after-school yoga programs to MCPS Elementary Schools this fall! Children will learn yoga poses, deep breathing, meditation, and relaxation techniques in a fun, interactive environment. Each class ends with a period of meditation and deep relaxation.

All of our instructors have years of experience working with children and have specialized training in teaching yoga to children.

Yoga Classes will be offered at the following schools:

Arcola Elementary

Bayard Rustin Elementary

Beverly Farms Elementary

Cedar Grove Elementary

Fallsmead Elementary

Farmland Elementary

Flower Valley Elementary

Greenwood Elementary

Oakland Terrace Elementary

Ritchie Park Elementary

Rock Creek Forest Elementary

Sherwood Elementary

Wyngate Elementary

Register today at www.shiningkidsyoga.com/registration

Questions? Email info@shiningkidsyoga.com

Back to School...Back to Yoga!

Happy First Day of School to all of our students in Montgomery County Public Schools! We can't wait to see you in yoga class in a few weeks!

Mazel Tov Edlavitch DCJCC Yoga Students!

Mazel Tov to our amazing yoga students at the Edlavitch DCJCC preschool on graduating from preschool! We will miss doing down dog and playing Yoga Pose or Dare with you! Best wishes for a wonderful year in kindergarten!

After-School Yoga Classes are Back! Spring 2022

After-school yoga is back this spring! Registration now open for classes at Wyngate, Fallsmead, and Ritchie Park...more schools coming soon!

Register: www.shiningkidsyoga.com/registration

Feel the Love: Lovingkindness Meditation for Kids

Lovingkindness (metta) meditation is a well known meditation practice that builds feelings of love and being loved.

Enjoy this child-friendly guided audio relaxation that teaches the practice of lovingkindness (metta) meditation to young children. Perfect for Valentine's Day or any day of the year! This child-friendly meditation will help your child feel more calm, happy, and loved.

Online Yoga Games That Kids Will Love!

As an Amazon Associate, Shining Kids Yoga earns from qualifying purchases from the links in this blog

“In every job that must be done 

 there is an element of fun.

 You find the fun and snap!

 The job’s a game.” 

- Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman, “A Spoonful of Sugar,” Mary Poppins

As anyone who has taught or watched a kids yoga class knows, teaching yoga to kids is very different from teaching an adult yoga class.  Keeping the attention of students and presenting material in a way that is accessible and engaging means that we need a lot of tricks in our kids yoga teacher toolbox. In my classes, I use many different modalities to make yoga more exciting and fun for children including songs, creative & imaginative play, art, and games.  However, especially for the elementary school age group (ages 5-10), games are one of my favorite and most well-received activities. 

In yoga class, games turn learning and challenges into fun by finding creative ways to engage children in learning yoga poses (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (dharana). I’ve also used games to teach children the sanskrit names of yoga poses and help them understand the yamas and niyamas. Games also teach important developmental skills including: cooperation, teamwork, honesty, concentration, rule-following, and strengthening short-term memory.   In a 15 minute yoga game, children can practice upwards of 20 yoga poses and breathing techniques.  Games also allow for repetition of poses which leads to mastery.

Some of the games we play in my kids classes are “yoga-ized” adaptations of traditional and ubiquitous children’s games like “Duck Duck Goose” “The Floor Is Lava” and “Simon Says”. Other games I created specifically for use in yoga class and a few were created by students themselves.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when yoga classes moved online, I had to think carefully about how to adapt or create new games that would work in this novel medium. Some games that I had used in my in-person classes translated easily with few or no adjustments.  Others required rule changes or creative adjustments to get them to work. And some work even better online than in-person due to the ability to show images close up and larger on the screen, the new possibility of having digital props (images and videos shared through the screen-sharing function), and children having props at home that they wouldn’t have at school or at the yoga studio (dice, stuffed animals, pillows, etc).  Being online also facilitated the creation of new games.  

 In online classes, visuals are a lot more important so having yoga cards that could be held up or digital cards that could be screenshared was a must. Utilizing tools embedded in Zoom are also helpful - including using the chat function where kids can share guesses in a game or answer a question if they don’t want to speak out loud. Given the physical isolation kids have experienced throughout the pandemic, It’s also important to me that the games we play in yoga class foster connection. Many of the warm-up games that I teach include opportunities for children to share about their day or week as well as opportunities to find shared interests and make connections with other children in the class. Despite our physical distance, these games help kids feel more connected and provide them an outlet to share about their lives.

Online yoga games are simple to learn and play, work well with a wide range of ages and abilities, and create an atmosphere of fun and engagement in yoga class. If you are looking for more ideas and demonstrations on how to incorporate yoga games into your online yoga classes or as brain breaks during virtual school, check out my recorded workshop Adapting Yoga Games for Online Kids Yoga Classes, which includes 7 teacher-tested/kid approved games that you can play in your online yoga classes with children, including one game that gets requested by students almost every single class.

If you’re ready to dive into the world of games in yoga class, check out these great resources in the Shining Kids Yoga online store:

• Double the Fun Yoga Card Deck

• Yoga Pose or Dare Card Game

• Original Yoga Card Deck (digital download)

• Yoga Bingo (digital download)

• Yoga Teacher Games Bundle (digital download)

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Andrea Creel, MSW, LMSW, E-RYT 200, YACEP

Andrea is the founder of Shining Kids Yoga, which began as an after-school program at her son's elementary school in 2014. She has been teaching yoga to all ages since 2005.  Andrea completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. In addition, she received specialized training in children’s yoga from the Radiant Child Yoga program, training in postnatal yoga from Baby OM,  and training in therapeutic yoga from  The Samarya Center.

Andrea is the author of Mystery Pose: A Yoga Guessing Game (affiliate link) and the creator of two yoga card games for kids: Double the Fun Yoga Cards and Yoga Pose or Dare. She is also the creator and facilitator of the Shining Kids Yoga Kids Yoga Teacher Training, a 17-hour certification program in teaching yoga to kids.

When not teaching or practicing yoga, Andrea enjoys playing board games with her son, Quinn, singing karaoke, and trying out new vegetarian recipes!

How To Play the Yoga Memory Game with Kids

The Yoga Memory Game is a playful way for kids (and adults!) to improve their short-term memory while learning and practicing a variety of yoga poses designed to improve balance, strength, flexibility, and gross motor skills. During the game, children get to practice 20 different yoga poses, as well as become familiar with the English and Sanskrit yoga pose names.

This game is always a hit as part of a kids yoga class and is a great addition to family game night! Scroll down to read through simple instructions for playing this game as a family, with a small or large group, or for solo play - plus some extra hints for adapting the game for younger children!

Materials Needed:

Double the Fun Yoga Cards OR Original Kids Yoga Card Deck (Digital Download)

If using the Original Kids Yoga Card Deck - print out and laminate 2 copies of each card. You will need matching sets of yoga pose cards in order to play the game.

Set up:

Shuffle all cards (40 cards).  Place all cards face down in rows of 8 cards across and 5 down.

Gameplay:

Select one player to go first.  That player flips over 2 cards to see if they are a match. The cards must be completely flipped over so all players can see the cards.  If a match is made, the player takes the cards and places them in front of them, and everyone does the yoga pose shown on the card. The player can take another turn if they make a match.  If a match is not made, both cards are left in place and turned face down. 

End of the game:

The game ends when all cards have been matched and removed from the play area.

The person who has made the most matches wins the game!

Finish your yoga practice with a relaxing savasana (final relaxation) by lying down on your yoga mat, closing your eyes and listening to a calming relaxation story

Variations:

• Large Group: To play the game in a larger group (like a yoga class) remove the matching card “bonus” turn.  Play goes around clockwise with everyone getting one turn each until all cards have been matched.

• Ages 3-5: For younger children, play with 20 cards (10 sets) to make the game easier

• Solo play: 1 player plays as instructed above and counts the number of turns it takes to make all matches. 

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Andrea Creel, MSW, LMSW, E-RYT 200, YACEP

Andrea is the founder of Shining Kids Yoga, which began as an after-school program at her son's elementary school in 2014. She has been teaching yoga to all ages since 2005.  Andrea completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. In addition, she received specialized training in children’s yoga from the Radiant Child Yoga program, training in postnatal yoga from Baby OM,  and training in therapeutic yoga from  The Samarya Center.

Andrea is the author of Mystery Pose: A Yoga Guessing Game (affiliate link) and the creator of two yoga card games for kids: Double the Fun Yoga Cards and Yoga Pose or Dare. She is also the creator and facilitator of the Shining Kids Yoga Kids Yoga Teacher Training, a 17-hour certification program in teaching yoga to kids.

When not teaching or practicing yoga, Andrea enjoys playing board games with her son, Quinn, singing karaoke, and trying out new vegetarian recipes!

Calming Stories for Kids

Even little kids can have big feelings! That’s why Shining Kids Yoga founder, Andrea Creel, created special calming relaxation stories just for kids ages 3-10! These guided visualizations engage children’s senses and imaginations while introducing evidence-based relaxation and emotional regulation techniques. Your child can listen to these stories at bedtime to help them fall asleep, after a difficult day or emotional outburst, or whenever you want to help your child feel more calm and peaceful inside!

Click the links below to listen to the stories:

Calming Tree Relaxation Story

Rainbow Affirmation Relaxation Story

Rocket Ship Relaxation Story

Magical Unicorn Relaxation Story

Snowy Day Magic Carpet Relaxation Story

Flower Butterfly Relaxation Story

Autumn Leaf Relaxation Story

I am Thankful Relaxation Story

Heart Cloud Relaxation Story (lovingkindness meditation for kids)

Would you child benefit from a relaxation story on a different topic (trucks, bugs, Disney, the beach…)? Send Andrea a message with your special request and she will create a short relaxation story just for your child! Email your request to info@shiningkidsyoga.com

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Andrea Creel, MSW, LMSW, E-RYT 200, YACEP

Andrea is the founder of Shining Kids Yoga, which began as an after-school program at her son's elementary school in 2014. She has been teaching yoga to all ages since 2005.  Andrea completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. In addition, she received specialized training in children’s yoga from the Radiant Child Yoga program, training in postnatal yoga from Baby OM,  and training in therapeutic yoga from  The Samarya Center.

Andrea is the author of Mystery Pose: A Yoga Guessing Game (affiliate link) and the creator of two yoga card games for kids: Double the Fun Yoga Cards and Yoga Pose or Dare. She is also the creator and facilitator of the Shining Kids Yoga Kids Yoga Teacher Training, a 17-hour certification program in teaching yoga to kids.

When not teaching or practicing yoga, Andrea enjoys playing board games with her son, Quinn, singing karaoke, and trying out new vegetarian recipes!

Mindful Hanukkah Ideas for Children & Adults

Hanukkah, often called the festival of lights, is an annual Jewish celebration of the of the re-dedication of the temple in Jerusalem and the miraculous burning of sacred oil for eight days.

Andrea Creel of Shining Kids Yoga shares insight, tools, and resources to foster mindfulness in children and adults during this festival. Listen or watch below for tips on how to be nourished by love and light in your family, kids yoga classes, adult yoga classes, and personal devotion.

For more ideas on how to use yoga and music to celebrate Hanukkah with children, check out this blog post!

COVID Safety Protocols

Shining Kids Yoga takes your child's health & safety seriously! Please visit www.shiningkidsyoga.com/covid to see a full list of precautions and safety measures that are being implemented in all of our in-person yoga classes this fall.

Fall Class Schedule Coming Soon

Shining Kids Yoga will be offering after-school yoga classes in select MCPS schools this fall! We will also be offering online classes for children who would like to take class virtually. Class schedules will be posted the week of August 23rd. Please check our registration page starting 8/23 for registration details and early-bird discounts!

To bring a Shining Kids Yoga after-school class to your child’s school, please contact Andrea at info@shiningkidsyoga.com

Shining Kids Yoga Featured in Washington Family Magazine!

Check out the August edition of Washington Family Magazine for an interview with Shining Kids Yoga founder and mompreneur, Andrea Creel!

View the article here: Washington Family Magazine August 2021 Digital Edition