This is a string of 15 connected poses forming a moving sequence of stress relief for kids of most abilities including learning disabilities. Kids with physical handicaps can be helped with a partner.

I have found that by the end of the session even the usually over-active children are doing the movements in rhythm with the group; everyone becoming more relaxed and centered. Before beginning put on some calm background music.

The total 15 moving poses is adapted for kids from traditional yoga poses and my background in dance, and include forward bending, backward bending, torso twisting, but no poses where pressure is put on the head and spine.

Introduction
A. Leader and students do the poses together without breaking the sequence, as they build upon each other.
B. After the initial sessions of asking questions, children should not talk so that they can quietly achieve their own calm center.
C. Wear comfortable clothing such as for a physical education class.
D. Practice on a carpet, or outside on the grass, or on warm sand.
E. Wait at least a half hour after eating to practice.
F. Keep breathing regular and easy throughout. Example: Breathe in 1 count; breathe out 1 count; breathe in 1 count and continue on. The regular even breathing is a bridge that ties body to mind; when breathing is made regular it calms the physical body.

The Poses

1. The Leaf
Sit with spine straight to begin,
as in illustration above
soles of feet together,
looking forward, hands on ankles.
Gently round spine as in illustration,
and then return to sitting straight.
Repeat several times.

2. The Flower
Sit with spine straight,
looking forward,
soles of feet together,
hands on ankles.
Gently bounce
knees toward floor
10 to 20 times.

3. The Cricket
Sit with spine straight,
soles of feet together,
or sit cross-legged, hands on ankles.
Head and eyes look forward, then up, then forward.
Next, lean right ear to right shoulder.
Straighten head and lean left ear to left shoulder,
then straighten head. Repeat several times.

4. The Owl
Sit cross-legged, hands at sides,
palms on floor.
Turn head to look to one side over shoulder,
then over the other shoulder.
If sitting on a firm enough surface,
spin body around once using hands to help propel spin.
Repeat several times.

Click here for Poses 5 through 9
Click here for Poses 10 through 13
Click here for Poses 14 and 15

Article and illustrations - Susan Kramer

Related articles:
Yoga for all Kids Text
Benefits of Yoga with Learning Disabilities
Benefits of Yoga with Mixed Ages and Abilities

The entire series is in this book:
Yoga for all Kids - With illustrations and descriptions, how to teach 4 styles of meditation and 15 gentle moving yoga poses that can be used as a basic motor skills lesson plan, plus 12 how to live chapters and a dictionary of 40 definitions of happiness in 83 pages. For kids of all ages and abilities - for teens and adults, too! Available as an Ebook or Print Book