Are you wondering if your toddler can do yoga? The answer is yes! Yoga is a wonderful way for kids to explore movement and mindfulness. However, it's important to keep in mind that yoga for toddlers looks different than it does for adults. Here are some tips and easy poses that you can teach your toddler!
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One thing to keep in mind is that toddlers don't have a full understanding of their bodies yet, especially their backsides. This means that twisting poses may be difficult for them to comprehend. Instead, start with simple poses that face forward like butterfly, mountain, and frog. These poses can help your toddler build strength and flexibility. Use tools like Metta Play bilingual yoga cards to provide a visual reference. The butterfly, mountain, and frog poses are part of the pack!
Butterfly
The butterfly pose is a great way to stretch the hips and inner thighs. To do this pose, have your toddler sit on the floor with the soles of their feet together and their knees bent out to the sides. Encourage them to flap their "wings" like a butterfly.
Mountain
Mountain pose is a simple standing pose that can help your toddler improve their posture and balance. Have them stand up tall with their arms by their sides and their feet hip-distance apart. Encourage them to imagine they are a tall mountain, strong and steady.
Frog
Frog pose is a fun and active pose that can help your toddler build strength in their legs and core. To do this pose, have your toddler squat down with their hands on the floor in front of them. Encourage them to jump up and down like a frog, making silly croaking noises.
Remember to keep things playful and fun, and don't worry too much about getting the poses "right". The most important thing is for your toddler to enjoy moving their bodies.
With Metta Play, you can introduce your child to yoga in a way that is engaging and developmentally appropriate. Plus, our bilingual cards offer the added benefit of language learning, as each pose is labelled in both English and another language like Spanish, French, Indonesian and Mandarin.
Start your child's yoga journey today with Metta Play bilingual yoga cards here