Advice on Teaching Kids Yoga

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends of Sat Naam,

 

does anyone have experience of teaching Yoga to kids - ages 7-11?

I have started teaching a 6 week course at my children's school.

I mixed in games etc but what I found most time consuming was 3

highly energetic 7 year olds who enjoyed the " loud " activities, but then

found it hard to stop talking through the " quiet " yoga. I remained patient

and reminded them several times.

 

The structure I used was

5 min Intro

15 min stretching

15 min game

15 min yoga & relaxation

5 min game

 

I read about a discipline system called Honor Level System..seems

to be quite good. But its more for schools than a one hour yoga class.

 

The main problem I have I think is that a Yoga session brings in calm and

peace.

Wereas the kids range from high energy & impatience to kids who are already

calm and want to learn.

 

The only other thing I can think of is to tell their school teacher to have

a word with them beforehand or to put them into another class.

 

Any other ideas would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Dust of your feet

 

Harjit

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Go to www.TagTeach.com For class control you do not have to use a

clicker but just a marking word. The clicker could actually be

beneficial for the stretching and yoga portion. It is a positive system

so it will fit beautifully with yoga and does not cause you much extra

work. The kids will love it and so will you. You will need some type

of reward and the teacher might be able to help you there. As a school

teacher myself I can tell you that the teacher talking to them will not

be nearly as effective as this.

 

If you decide to try it and want some more ideas, just ask. I have used

this technique while working with students from elementary school to

adults and it has always had a beneficial outcome.

 

Meredith

 

On Wed, May 7, 2008 at 1:59 AM, Meditate Upon The Truth wrote:

 

Dear Friends of Sat Naam,

 

does anyone have experience of teaching Yoga to kids - ages 7-11?

I have started teaching a 6 week course at my children's school.

I mixed in games etc but what I found most time consuming was 3

highly energetic 7 year olds who enjoyed the " loud " activities, but then

found it hard to stop talking through the " quiet " yoga. I remained

patient

and reminded them several times.

 

The structure I used was

5 min Intro

15 min stretching

15 min game

15 min yoga & relaxation

5 min game

 

I read about a discipline system called Honor Level System..seems

to be quite good. But its more for schools than a one hour yoga class.

 

The main problem I have I think is that a Yoga session brings in calm

and

peace.

Wereas the kids range from high energy & impatience to kids who are

already

calm and want to learn.

 

The only other thing I can think of is to tell their school teacher to

have

a word with them beforehand or to put them into another class.

 

Any other ideas would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Dust of your feet

 

Harjit

 

 

[Guest guest]

I have been teaching yoga to kids for 4 years and am a certified elementary

school teacher as well. The first thing you need to do is let go of the idea

that it is " your " class-it is the children's class and it is your job as a

teacher of children to take the pulse of the room and give up on the idea that

this is anything like teaching adults until the children become more

experienced. Assign the seating at the beginning of class and make certain that

the high energy ones are not sitting together in a cluster. Set the tone by

lighting candles if possible and having music playing softly when they come in.

If you can light incense let one hold the incense stick and another one blow it

out. Children love ritual and the idea of doing the same thing before a class

to set the tone is very calming for them. Make it clear that there are 4 levels

of behavior Anarchy A, Bothering B, Cooperation C and Democracy D. They quickly

learn this system and know that CD behaviour is what

is expected of them in the room. When the class becomes rambunctious ask them

what level they are acting at. Believe me they know! Remember when kids act up

not to take it personally- it is them not you and they will not intruitively

respect the sacredness of what you are teaching them immediately. I always

explain that what they are learning may even seem a little stange at first but

that soon it will become very familiar. Address issues such as fear and

concentration and explain how each excercise effects the brain. Do not be too

rigid with Kundalini.Full kriyas are often too much for this age. We always

tune in with Ong Namo and then move into warming up with Basic Spinal Set or Sun

Salutations. A vigorous class with alot of standing postures works well with

this age group as it is almost impossible to talk alot while in tree or standing

stick pose. There are a couple of good kriyas in " Owner' Manual for the Human

Body " both of which are called Yoga for Young

People. Kirtan Kriya is a great starting meditation. As they progress the

basic Ashtanga series is great for them since it originated as a practice for 12

year old boys. Shakta Kaur Khalsa's book " Fly Like a Butterfly " is a good

starting point. I always mention that it is not the yoga that they do but the

effort that they put into it that makes them " yogis " . At this time of year it

is importent to play games and lighten the tone of the room. Some fun things to

do include rolling up in your mat with your arms inside and rolling from one

side of the room to the other..One of the best things about teaching kid's yoga

is that children will help you remember to stay light hearted in your own

practice which is something that it is easy to forget in our own anxiousness to

be perfect in our practice. Ultimately to quote Yogi Bhajan " patience pays'

when teaching children. It always helps me to realize that I am transmiting a

technology that will hopefully serve them

throughout their lives

Most of all enjoy yourself and the opportunity to serve the next generation!

 

Meditate Upon The Truth <satsatsat wrote:

Dear Friends of Sat Naam,

 

does anyone have experience of teaching Yoga to kids - ages 7-11?

I have started teaching a 6 week course at my children's school.

I mixed in games etc but what I found most time consuming was 3

highly energetic 7 year olds who enjoyed the " loud " activities, but then

found it hard to stop talking through the " quiet " yoga. I remained patient

and reminded them several times.

 

The structure I used was

5 min Intro

15 min stretching

15 min game

15 min yoga & relaxation

5 min game

 

I read about a discipline system called Honor Level System..seems

to be quite good. But its more for schools than a one hour yoga class.

 

The main problem I have I think is that a Yoga session brings in calm and

peace.

Wereas the kids range from high energy & impatience to kids who are already

calm and want to learn.

 

The only other thing I can think of is to tell their school teacher to have

a word with them beforehand or to put them into another class.

 

Any other ideas would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Dust of your feet

 

Harjit