

My advice when practicing with children is to be playful. For example, Dandayamna Bharmanasana (Balancing Table Pose) can sound confusing and even intimidating, so I call it Tiger Pose. To keep kids engaged, I like to change the names of some of the postures. The following sequence is based on a Yoga Foster lesson about courage and bravery. Yoga can help kids take ownership of their bodies, transform how they think of themselves, and ultimately help them speak up for what they need. All too often, children-particularly those of color-aren’t always seen, heard, or respected by their parents and teachers, and they aren’t taught the skills to help them change that. That’s why I founded Yoga Foster, a nonprofit that empowers elementary school teachers with yoga tools and curricula for their classrooms. I often wish I had yoga in my life when I was a child I believe it would’ve helped me show up more fully and express myself more authentically.

These practices are important for everyone-and they are particularly crucial for kids, who are discovering who they will become on a daily basis. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth yoga, fitness, & nutrition courses, when youĪs yogis, we know asana and meditation can help us feel powerfully grounded and embodied, which in turn shapes how we show up in the world.
