One of the best activities for kids is Yoga which can be done both indoors and outdoors. Not only it is fun, it is a valuable practice to learn at any age. Just like adults, Yoga is beneficial for child’s physical growth, emotional and overall well-being. Animal Yoga makes Yoga interesting for kids.

What is Animal Yoga ?

Animal Yoga consists of Yoga Poses inspired by different animals.

• To start with Yoga, animal poses are the best way as kids are familiar with animals. Children’s first books and toys often include dogs, cats, giraffes and elephants. They can easily pretend to be dog, cat, cow or any other animal.
• Yoga Poses/Asanas that have animal names and animal postures make yoga feel like a play to children.
• Just not poses, you can make your child do animal sounds, ask him to walk like animal and even sing animal songs.
• You can do this activity both indoors and outdoors.
• No equipment is required for this activity. You just need a mat to begin with.
• You can make your child hold the pose for 5 seconds and gradually increase the time.
• Once the child is comfortable, you can make your child repeat the pose 5-10 times.
• Kids can start with 1-2 poses and then gradually move to other poses.
• Kids young as 2 years, can try these poses.

Animal Yoga Poses

Here are some Animal Yoga Poses which your child can do.

Butterfly Pose

Sit with your back upright.

Fold your legs in such a way that the feet are touching together.

Use your hands to hold the feet.

Gently flap your legs like a butterfly.

Cobra Pose

Lie on your tummy and place palms flat next to the shoulders.

Now gently lift head, chest and shoulder off the ground by pressing your hands and without lifting the legs.

Hold the posture for few seconds, before releasing the body to the floor.

For additional fun, once your child is in Cobra Pose, ask  him/her to make hissing sound like a snake.

Lion Pose

Kneel down and put hips on your heels.

Place your hands on the knees.

Take a long breath from nose and then exhale through the mouth

When exhaling through the mouth, stretch your tongue out and make a sound of roaring lion .

Frog Pose

Take a wide step and bend you knees.

Your hands should on the floor between your feet.

Hold the position for few seconds.

To make it fun, ask your child to hop like a frog and make a sound of frog “ ribbit”.

Cat Pose

Position yourself onto the floor on your hands and knees. Your hands should be under your shoulders and your knees under your hips.

Looks towards your tummy between your arms.

Your back will slowly arch up.

Hold it for few seconds and Meow like a cat!

Follow this with Cow Pose.

Cow Pose

Position yourself onto the floor on your hands and knees. Your hands should be under your shoulders and your knees under your hips.

Look up towards the sky and open your chest.

Your tummy will sink towards the floor. This pose should be done with Cat Pose.

Elephant Pose

Stand up straight and then bend forward.

Interlock your hands and swing them side to side like an elephant’s trunk.

Spider Pose

Take a wide step and bend your knees.

Your hands should be on your mat between your feet. The feet should be flat on the mat.

Spread your hands behind your legs and hold onto your heels.

Hold the pose for few seconds.

Camel Pose

Stand on your knees with hips apart.

Put hand on lower back.

Now move your head back and touch heels with your hands.

Downward Facing Dog Pose

Position yourself on the mat on your hands and knees.

Press your hands down and lift your hips.

Slightly bend your knees but try to keep your heels on the ground.

Guidelines for Kids Yoga

For detailed guidelines on kids yoga , you can check this website, Vikaspedia.

For kids under 6 years, Yoga session should be not more than 20 minutes.

Always demonstrate the posture, rather than explaining it.

Yoga should be done on an empty or light stomach.

I hope you found this article on the Animal Yoga Poses for Kids useful!

Stay home, stay healthy, and stay safe!

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