Yoga For Kids with a Homeschool Yoga Practice

In nearly every Montessori classroom, you will find children participating in yoga. The entire class may take part at once, or a station may be set up with pose cards for children to practice independently. These two approaches make a natural pair, and beginning a homeschool yoga practice is easier than you might think.

How Yoga and Montessori Go Hand in Hand

A Montessori education is unlike anything else. Yoga is a form of movement unlike anything else. While Maria Montessori did not teach yoga, she did encourage purposeful movement. We find movement with care, grace, mindfulness, and awareness incorporated into everything she taught. Children in a Montessori setting move with a quality of attention that integrates perfectly with yoga.

Personal space and order are valued in both approaches. In yoga, we have our mat. In Montessori, we have our work mat. These exist not to separate us from one another, but for order, visual-spatial balance, space to focus, and the promotion of good work habits. Sometimes we may do partner poses or work on lessons together, and this happens when both individuals are ready and willing.

Both yoga and Montessori are focused on developing the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. Yoga for children is about moving with ease, grace, and awareness, which is very much the language of Montessori. Yoga has been shown to have profound effects on the nervous system, stress levels, brain development, critical thinking, and organ health. Montessori education shares many of the same benefits. In both, we find a calming and centering effect on children. When used together, they bring an entirely new dimension to your homeschool.

Regular practice is often described as bringing peace. This was a central desire for Dr. Montessori: to help children find peace not only in the world, but within themselves. Peace with who they are. Peace in managing stress. Handling conflict with grace. You will even find a peace object in most Montessori classrooms, and these are excellent to have at home as well.

Getting Started with Homeschool Yoga

There are many yoga resources available: books, videos, cards, and classes. It can be hard to decide where to start. Here are a few options to consider:

• Find a class to attend on a regular basis. Mommy and Me classes are common at many libraries and recreation centers.
• Teach yourself with an at-home practice.
• Pre-made lesson plans are a great option for busy families.
• Children can follow along with videos, which helps ensure they are moving through the poses properly.
• Cards or a book left on the shelf allow children to practice independently whenever they choose.

When beginning homeschool yoga, start with basic poses. If you use a children's program, it will begin with foundational postures. If you work through poses on your own, start with the basics as well. Throughout the practice, it is helpful to make sure children are working through the poses properly, as an incorrect pose can cause strain. Starting with a foundation gives children the chance to feel the flow and the calm before moving into more challenging poses.

Do not forget about breathing exercises. Children of all ages love Lion's Breath. Alternate nostril breathing is often a favorite for teens. While a mat is not strictly necessary, it can be helpful. If you do not have a mat, a towel on top of carpet works well.

Great Poses to Start With

Whatever you do, approach it with ease, joy, and a spirit of learning. It is also a good idea to check with your child's doctor before beginning a new practice.

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