These last few weeks, I have been learning a lot about the benefits of yoga as well as how to teach yoga to a toddler.Havona Madama of Tuesdays at Ten, Ltd. recently launched a new DVD, produced by Loft 49 Films, Inc., entitled TOT YOGA: Yoga for You and Your Toddler from 10 Months to 3 Years Old.
Tot Yoga is an instructional DVD for parents and toddlers to use together. Havona says it is the first and only DVD, which provides yoga instruction at this important developmental stage.
Even if you have never done yoga, you can do Tot Yoga.
The program is designed to benefit every level of experience. In fact, all the parents in the video have little or no yoga experience, and this video was shot live with the participants following the routine for the first time, specifically to ensure that it is easy to follow for beginners.
The more you practice, the more strength and flexibility you can achieve through this low impact relaxing routine, allowing the program to grow with you as you progress without changing the routine.
Following are 5 tips that demonstrate the best way to teach yoga to toddlers:
- Get down on the floor and crawl. Crawling is one of the most important developmental tools young children have and they do it naturally. Parents can benefit from crawling as well.
- Keep poses simple and don’t expect your child to follow along. Be willing to follow poses that your child creates, and give the pose a name, or let your child name it.
- Act out stories incorporating yoga poses, many poses are named after animals, so children can imagine they are a cat that chases a monkey who becomes a frog and lands on a lily pad sticking out its tongue and taking a rest. The options are only limited by your child’s imagination.
- Don’t forget that making noise is part of yoga, growl like a lion to exercise your throat muscles and relieve stress.
- Get eye level with your toddler and call them by their name so they can focus. Give them small tasks to follow, which will lead to a more difficult routine over time.
To learn more about Tot Yoga, visit TotYoga.com. To purchase, click here or visit The Mom Entrepreneur Holiday Co-op Shop. The company is offering free standard shipping and free gift wrapping!
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