Valentine’s Day Yoga for Kids: A Heartwarming Practice

Valentine’s Day is a special time to celebrate love, kindness, and friendship. What better way to embrace the spirit of the holiday than with a fun and engaging yoga session designed specifically for kids?

This yoga practice will help children explore their feelings, practice self-love, and spread kindness to others. Through playful poses and calming breathing techniques, kids will learn to connect with their bodies and minds, fostering a sense of inner peace and joy.

Warm-Up: Heart-Opening Sun Salutations

Start with a few rounds of Sun Salutations to warm up the body and get the energy flowing. Encourage kids to move with intention, feeling the stretch in their muscles and the breath in their lungs.

1. Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Stand tall with feet together, arms by your sides, and palms facing forward. Take a deep breath in, feeling your spine lengthen.
2. Forward Fold (Uttanasana): Exhale as you bend forward from the hips, reaching your hands towards the floor. Let your head hang loosely and feel the stretch in your hamstrings.
3. Halfway Lift (Ardha Uttanasana): Inhale as you lift your torso halfway up, keeping your back straight. Gaze forward.
4. Flat Back Pose (Ardha Uttanasana): Exhale as you straighten your back, keeping your hands on the floor. Look straight ahead.
5. Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): Inhale as you step back into Downward-Facing Dog, keeping your hands shoulder-width apart and your feet hip-width apart. Press your hands into the mat and lift your hips towards the ceiling.
6. Three-Legged Dog (Tri Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana): Inhale as you lift one leg up towards the ceiling, keeping your knee bent. Hold for a few breaths, then switch legs.
7. Plank Pose (Phalakasana): Exhale as you step your feet forward into Plank Pose, keeping your body in a straight line from head to heels.
8. Chaturanga Dandasana: Lower your body down towards the floor, keeping your elbows close to your sides. Hold for a few breaths.
9. Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana): Inhale as you lift your chest up off the floor, keeping your elbows tucked in. Look straight ahead.
10. Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): Exhale as you return to Downward-Facing Dog.

Repeat these steps for 3-5 rounds, gradually increasing the pace as your body warms up.

Heart-Opening Poses

Now, let’s open our hearts and embrace the love and kindness that Valentine’s Day represents.

1. Heart Opener Pose (Anahatasana): Sit on your heels with your knees hip-width apart. Bring your hands to your chest and gently press your palms together. Inhale deeply and feel your chest expand. Exhale and release.
2. Camel Pose (Ustrasana): Kneel on your knees with your feet hip-width apart. Place your hands on your ankles and gently arch your back, lifting your chest towards the ceiling. Hold for a few breaths, then release.
3. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana): Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Lift your hips off the floor and press your hands into the mat. Hold for a few breaths, then release.
4. Fish Pose (Matsyasana): Lie on your back with your arms by your sides. Place a pillow or blanket under your head and gently lift your chest off the floor, pressing your elbows into the mat. Hold for a few breaths, then release.

Calming Poses

After opening our hearts, let’s settle into some calming poses to promote relaxation and peace.

1. Child’s Pose (Balasana): Kneel on your knees with your feet together and your forehead resting on the mat. Wrap your arms around your legs and breathe deeply. Hold for as long as you like.
2. Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana): Sit on the floor with your soles of your feet together and your knees out to the sides. Gently press your knees towards the floor and hold for a few breaths.
3. Reclining Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana): Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Cross your right leg over your left thigh and gently twist your torso to the left. Place your right hand on your left knee and your left hand on the floor. Hold for a few breaths, then switch sides.
4. Corpse Pose (Savasana): Lie on your back with your arms by your sides and your palms facing up. Close your eyes and relax your entire body. Focus on your breath and let go of any tension. Hold for as long as you like.

Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises can help to calm the mind and reduce stress. Here are a few simple techniques to try with kids:

1. Belly Breathing: Sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Inhale deeply through your nose, feeling your belly rise. Exhale slowly through your mouth, feeling your belly fall. Repeat for 5-10 breaths.
2. Box Breathing: Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 4. Hold your breath for a count of 4. Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 4. Hold your breath for a count of 4. Repeat for 5-10 breaths.

Encourage kids to practice these breathing exercises throughout the day to help them manage stress and stay calm.

Closing Thoughts

This Valentine’s Day yoga session is a fun and engaging way to promote mindfulness, self-love, and kindness in children. By incorporating playful poses, calming breathing techniques, and heart-opening exercises, kids can connect with their bodies and minds, fostering a sense of inner peace and joy.

Remember to make it fun and interactive! Let kids choose their favorite poses, use props like blankets and pillows, and play calming music. Most importantly, create a safe and supportive environment where kids feel comfortable exploring their feelings and expressing themselves.

Happy Valentine’s Day!