Horse stance Yoga Virginia

In today’s world, where my daughter has such an abundant life, I’m mindful of teaching her about gratitude. We honestly have so much to be grateful for.

So I was thrilled when kids yoga teacher, Joie Scott, recommended this darling book, by Douglas Wood and Greg Shed. We picked it up at our local library last week. This beautifully illustrated book is a spiritual journey of saying thanks for the wonders of the world that we sometimes take for granted.

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Gratitude yoga sequence inspired by

The Secret of Saying Thanks

These twenty yoga poses for kids follow the sequence of the storyline. Feel free to change the order of the postures to create a logical kids yoga class. You can also add more or practice fewer poses, depending on the needs and ages of your children. Your children could also add their own yoga poses based on what they are grateful for. Make the experience relevant and meaningful for them, so they can embrace the idea of gratitude through movement. Use this gratitude yoga sequence as a guide, but adapt to suit your needs:

STORY TEXT FROM

The Secret of Saying Thanks

YOGA POSTURE

DEMONSTRATION

1. SUN:

Thank you, sun, for a new day and all its choices and challenges.

How to do SUN BREATH:

2. FLOWERS:

Thank you, flowers, for your bright color, graceful blossoms, sweet breath, and for making me smile.

How to do FLOWER POSE:

3. TREES:

Thank you, trees, for giving me cool shade on a hot day, the sound of the leaves in the breeze, and roots to hold the earth in place.

How to do TREE POSE:

4. ROCKS:

Thank you, rocks and stones and pebbles. Thanks for your silence and patience, for standing still and not changing in a world so full of noise, speed, and change.

How to do CHILD’S POSE:

5. BIRDS:

Thank you, birds, for your songs and the sight of you dancing in the wind.

How to do EAGLE POSE:

6. FISH:

Thank you, fish.

How to do LOCUST POSE:

7. CRABS:

Thank you, crabs.

How to do REVERSE TABLE TOP POSE:

8. SNAKES:

Thank you, snakes.

How to do COBRA POSE:

9. INSECTS:

Thank you, insects.

How to do HAPPY BABY POSE:

10. BUTTERFLIES:

Thank you, butterflies.

How to do BUTTERFLY POSE:

11. HORSES:

Thank you, horses.

How to do HORSE STANCE:

12. COWS:

Thank you, cows.

How to do COW POSE:

13. CATS:

Thank you, cats.

How to do CAT POSE:

14. DOGS:

Thank you, dogs.

Thank you to all you creatures that swim, crawl, creep, burrow, climb, or run. Thank you to creatures with fur or feathers, horns, hooves, scales, or shells. You remind us of the beauty and mystery of life.

How to do DOWNWARD-FACING DOG POSE:

15. STARS:

Thank you, stars, for giving us enough light for wishing and dreaming.

How to do TRIANGLE POSE:

From a standing position, step one foot back, placing the foot facing slightly outwards. Take your arms up parallel to the ground, bend at your waist, and tilt your upper body to the side. Reach your front hand to gently rest on your shin and reach your other arm straight up reaching for the stars. Repeat the steps on the other side.

16. MOON:

Thank you, moon, for giving us the soft shining light that helps us find our way in the dark.

How to do CRESCENT MOON POSE:

Stand tall with legs hip-width apart, feet facing forward, and straighten your arms alongside your body. Reach your arms up high over your head, bringing your palms together. Tilt your upper body to one side, pretending to be the moon. Come back to center. Tilt your body to the other side.

17. EARTH’S WATERS:

Thank you to the lakes, rivers, and ponds for making the magic of life possible.

How to do BOAT POSE:

18. FAMILY DINNER:

Thank you for all this bountiful food. Thank you to the good earth that gave us this food. Thank you, family, for sharing this special meal together.

How to do an ENERGY CIRCUIT:

19. THE SECRET OF GIVING THANKS:

The heart that gives thanks is a happy one.

How to do RESTING POSE:

20. GRATITUDE:

“We don’t give thanks because we are happy. We are happy because we give thanks.”

How to do EASY POSE:

You could also end in Resting Pose to give your children a chance to integrate what they have experienced and think about what they are grateful for. You could go around the group, asking them to share their own gratitude statements.

Download the Gratitude Yoga Sequence Printable:DOWNLOAD FREE GRATITUDE YOGA SEQUENCE PRINTABLE

Lesson plan was put together by Joie Scott

Buy yoga poses images here >

Thanksgiving Coloring Page
Teaching Gratitude to Children

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