Creating a Mindful New Year
2020 will be a year to remember, but with 2021 on the horizon there is another New Year upon us and so much to look forward to, including making resolutions! Rather your child chooses the resolution to be more kind to their siblings, improve self-confidence, or increase self-love, integrating yoga and mindfulness into the resolution will help put those resolutions into motion!
Making New Year’s resolutions have been around since ancient times. It’s a good time to talk to your children about what a New Year’s resolution is, how to make positive ones, and the power of positive thinking. My personal resolution is to “be my best self”; I’ve created children’s cards that include positive affirmations with yoga poses to go along with this resolution. You can find them here in our shop. Adults and children alike can use these cards to find your inner “best self” throughout 2021!
You can help your children live happier, healthier lives by teaching them positive resolutions, and incorporating yoga to help integrate these ideas while being more mindful.
Looking for books that encourage positive resolutions? These books are perfect for New Year’s or anytime you would like to talk to your child about making resolutions or positive changes:
Incredible You! – 10 ways to let your GREATNESS shine through! By Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
I Think, I AM! Teaching Kids the Power of Affirmations By Louise L. Hay
The Angry Octopus: How to Control Anger, Reduce Stress and Fall Asleep Faster by Lori Lite
The Affirmation Weaver: Increase Self-Esteem, Improve Self-Confidence While Decreasing Stress and Anxiety by Lori Lite
NEW YEAR YOGA SEQUENCE FOR KIDS
Perform each yoga pose flowing from one pose to the next. Encourage your child to inhale and exhale through the nose and be sure to follow each exercise with a deep breath or two.
Begin by saying the resolution, talk to your child about it and help them come up with ideas to incorporate this resolution into their daily routine. If you would like to use a different pose, choose one that encourages the feeling of the resolution, for example Warrior poses encourage bravery, heart-opening poses encourages opening of your heart to peace, love and understanding.
Warm-Up
You can do your favorite Sun Salutation or warm-up pose.
Mountain Pose
Stand tall with your back straight and your arms resting to the side.
Noise Maker Breathes
Grab a noise maker, or if you don't have one pretend to hold it up near your mouth. Take a deep breath in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth, blowing into your noise maker and letting go of all the air in your lungs.
Hero Pose
Come to sit on your knees, resting your hands on your knees with your back straight.
Cat-Cow Pose
Stand on your hands and knees. Arch your back coming into cow pose, breathe in, and breathe out curling your back towards the sky.
Plank Pose
Jump your feet back, creating a board shape with your body, keeping your arms straight and strong.
Downward Facing Dog Pose
Lift your bottom up into the air, extending your legs and keeping you9r arms straight.
Child's Pose
Sit back onto your knees resting your arms to your sides and placing your forehand on the floor.
Tree Pose
Stand tall, placing your heel on your other foot. Then once you're ready, lift your hands up into the sky, like branches of a strong tree.
Warrior One Pose
Step one foot back, slightly angling your toes outward, and bend your front knee. Reach both arms up towards the sky, straight over your head. Switch your feet and repeat the steps on the other side.
Standing Forward Fold
Stand tall with both feet flat on the ground. Then slowly bring your hands down to the ground towards your feet, or wherever you feel comfortable (ex. on your knees or ankles).
Fireworks Breathes
Sit comfortably with your back straight and your legs crossed. Lift your arms up into the air, breathe in through your nose, and breathe out through your mouth, lowering your arms down to the ground like a firework shooting up into the air.
Happy Baby Pose
Lay flat on the ground with your back down, resting your body. Bring your knees up towards your elbows/shoulders area. Grab the outer part of your feet and sway side to side.
Resting Pose
Lay flat on the ground with your hands resting to your sides and breathing in deeply through your nose, and breathe out through your mouth to relax your body.
Land of Sweets Meditation
Listen to the OM Warrior Kids Land of Sweets Meditation to calm down, relax your body, and go on a fun adventure through the land of sweets.
Looking to adapt this New Year’s yoga sequence for a younger child? Think of a resolution that they can understand, sharing for instance. Then incorporate a song about sharing, The Sharing Song by Raffi.
Share the Good! Your child can do hero pose or simply dance around while the music is playing. There are a several board books for younger children that convey the meaning of this resolution, specifically Sharing Time by Elizabeth Verdick. Another song that children LOVE to dance to is Happy by Pharrell Williams.
Looking for kid friendly, fun activities for New Year’s? Head on over to our store and purchase the OM Warrior Kids New Year’s Yoga Activities for Kids, whether you are a parent practicing yoga with your child, an educator, or a kids yoga teacher, this is a wonderful resource for children to build their own yoga and mindfulness practice. This 26-page printable includes fun and engaging activities! Grab it for 50% off through January!
Wishing you an amazing 2021! xx