practice
Five animal poses to calm a busy little mind
Simple, giggly yoga poses children can copy on their own — perfect for winding down before bed or burning off a rainy afternoon.
Children do not need a yoga class to feel the benefits of moving and breathing — they just need it to feel like play. Animal poses are perfect because they are silly, memorable and easy to copy.
Start with the cat: on hands and knees, arch up like a grumpy cat, then dip down. Then the flamingo: stand tall and balance on one leg (wobbling is allowed and encouraged).
Move into the turtle: fold forward and tuck in small and quiet. Then the lion: take a big breath and roar it all out — brilliant for shaking off a tantrum.
Finish with the star: stand tall, stretch arms and legs wide, and shine. Five poses, five minutes, and a much calmer little person at the end of it.
