Download - Toddler Yoga
A Classroom Activity Designed by:Alicia Crowl & Amy BullermanStudent Physical Therapists
Toddler Yoga
YogaBenefits DirectionsImproves strength, balance,
coordination, and social skills
Promotes concentration and focus
Encourages kids to follow directions
Early research has shown that daily yoga in the classroom may reduce kids’ aggressive behavior, social withdrawal, and hyperactivity.
Perform each pose 3-5 times each
Hold each pose 5-10 seconds each
ButterflySit on the floor and
place the soles of your feet together
Reach forward while wiggling your fingers like butterfly wings
Then reach to each side with butterfly fingers
CatGet down on all 4’s
like a kitty catArch your back and
bring your head between your arms
Then bring your belly towards the floor and your head up until you feel a good stretch
Make it more fun by making cat sounds “Meow”
Child’s PoseStarting position is
on all 4’sNext lean back
onto your feet and keep your arms above your head
CobraFirst lay completely
on your stomachNext keeping your
legs on the floor, use your arms to push up and raise your head up tall like a cobra/snake
Make hissing sounds to make it more fun
Downward DogThis pose
resembles that of an upside down letter V
Stand with feet apart
Then place hands on floor also keeping knees, back, and arms straight
Sunrise/SunsetStand up tallBring your arms
out to the side and then above your head making a big circle like the sun
Then gently lowerLift your arms
above your head
Wave the WheatStand up tall with
feet apartNow place your
right hand on your hip and reach the left arm overhead
Reach towards the right side to get a good stretch
Repeat on the other side
AirplaneStand up straight and
tallReach your arms out to
the sides at shoulder height
Lean forward and lift one foot up off the ground
Stretch your arms to the sides and try to maintain your balance
Now try Airplane pose on the other side
GorillaStand up tall with
your legs wide apartBend forward at the
waist, bending your knees a little bit
Let your arms hang down in front of you and swing your upper body back and forth like a gorilla
TreeStand up tallLift your right leg and
place it on you left leg, above the knee (or below the knee if that's more comfortable)
Now stretch your arms up like branches
Then try the Tree pose on the other side
VolcanoStart by rubbing your
hands together like lava bubbling before the volcano erupts
Get into a squatting position (while still rubbing hands together)
Count to three outloudThen stand up fast and
raise arms overhead like a volvano erupting
Make an exploding sound as the volcano erupts