Yoga Pretzels: 50 Fun Yoga Activities for Kids & Grownups (Barefoot Books Activity Decks) Cards – October 5, 2005

Yoga Pretzels has been a fantastic addition to our morning routine! My toddler and I use these cards to do yoga together, and they make it so much fun. The cards are beautifully colored, which keeps my little one engaged, and the variety and creativity of the poses are truly impressive.The set includes both easy and challenging poses, so there’s something for every skill level, making it perfect for us to grow together in our practice. The clear instructions and playful designs make each session enjoyable and easy to follow.If you’re looking for a way to bond with your child while introducing them to the joys of yoga, this set is an absolute must-have!

For anyone who is teaching children and family yoga, this deck of cards is a must have. In spite of the name "Yoga Pretzels" the poses are fun and easy to do. Deck includes recommended practices on breath, relaxation and actual poses. Cards are large and made of strong material so they will not bend. The are made of colorful pictures and recommendations for the practice of breath and movement. It is a very clever way to keep children engaged during their practice and still provide them a level of education about their health and well being.I am really pleased that I could find this material on Amazon. Children and Family Yoga class outlines are difficult to find and it is challenging to continue providing engaging classes without being repetitive. As everyone knows child's imagination can go wild and one can never come up with enough stories to tell, in and out of yoga classes. Excellent reference material for children yoga teachers that can be used in many combinations for a number of engaging classes.

Although I've been teaching adult yoga for years, my first foray into children's yoga was for two classrooms of kindergarteners at my childrens' school. (eek, right?) I planned ahead and purchased Yoga Pretzels, based on the many positive reviews. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of breathing exercises, group exercises, and at the arrangement of the pose cards (they're broken into standing, seated, twisting, balancing, etc poses) as I shuffled through the deck. I was quickly able to create a sequence of breathing, poses and group activity/discussions that was easily adaptable to the 9 groups I taught, and which was able to catch and keep their varying levels of interest (and appropriate for their varied skill levels). The children appreciated being able to read pose names, and see clear pictures of the final poses, and were genuinely excited each time I revealed a new card.My own 3 children (ages 4-8) are now enjoying the deck at home, and it's made for some great conversations, adaptations, and group play. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to have a strong class plan for teaching to children, especially since it's so easy to add or omit poses depending on the students' needs or abilities.

I used these cards today for the first time to teach kids at a summer day camp. The kids are all different ages and levels. Some like yoga and some complain about it. After warming up with some breathing and sun salutations, I passed out these cards and had them partner up and teach each other the positions on the cards. Then, we went around the circle and they taught their cards to everyone in the group. It was really successful. The partner exercises got us laughing and having fun. There is a good mix of easy to challenging positions, with clear instructions. There are also cards that describe breathing exercises, and games to play. I envision being able to use these cards in different ways to engage kids in yoga. I definitely recommend these for people who teach kids yoga.

Excellent resource for any classroom!!

50 cards full of yoga activities; cards divided into 9 sections: breaths, balance, stand, forward bend, twist and stretch, back bend, partner, game, and time in. From guy who made book “my daddy is a pretzel”. Not sure you necessarily need the statements with the yoga positions. Cards with position are split into 4 sections, illustrated with pictures.I teach parent & me yoga for toddlers and these are too advanced for them; better for older kids. Though the animal breaths are great.If looking for a comprehensive book on children’s yoga: yoga for children by Lisa Flynn is the best; she has lots of activities and breaks down each pose, giving its benefit etc. Itsy bitsy yoga is also great. There’s another book that has games- Yoga Games for Children, but I feel like a lot were group activities, not all yoga related.My 2 year old loves flash cards and pulls these out (even though still too young for most poses) so I wrote this up for the ones he will lose…Breaths:• Bunny Breath (Cleanse and Clear)– bunnies are very alert. Keep yourself awake and alert with this cleansing breath. Sit on your shins with your back straight, shoulders wide and chest lifted. Keeping your chin down, take 3 big sniffs, one right after the other. Then exhale in a long release, as though you are sighing out through your nostrils. Repeat for 5-7 rounds. When you’ve finished, you should feel clear, relaxed and alert.• Bumblebee breath (relax and soothe)- bees hum their days away, visiting flowers and making honey. As you hum, think of what makes you happy! Wherever you are – walking, working, playing or resting, breathe in fully and as you breathe out, hum like a bee. Make sure your face and lips are soft so you can feel the vibration. Repeat for as long as you like and experiment humming from high to low- notice the differences• Bear breath (Rest and balance) – in winter, bears hibernate in caves, sleeping peacefully. Discover your own peace and balance with this special breath. Sit up tall, close your eyes and go inside. Through your nose, breathe in for a count of 5, then hold in for a count of 3. Breathe out for a count of 5, then hold out for a count of 3. Repeat for 5-7 rounds. Open your eyes and notice how you feel.• Snake breath (slow and calm)- when they are coiled and resting, snakes look around calmly, and when they move, they are slow and smooth. Sit up tall. Take a deep breath in, filling up your whole body. Pause and breathe out slowly and smoothly, making a hissing sound for as long as you can. Repeat for 3-5 rounds, feeling yourself slow down and become calmer each time.• Elephant Breath (Wake up and Energize) – elephants can shower themselves with their own trunks. Choose something to shower yourself with – sparkles, love, laughter, strength. Stand with your feet wide apart. Link your hands and dangle your arms in front of you like an elephant trunk. Inhale through your nose as you raise your arms high above your head and lean back. Exhale through your mouth as you swing your arms down through your legs. Repeat for 3 rounds. On the next round, stay up, arch back and shower yourself!Balance:• Plank 1) “I align myself – body, breath and mind” kneel on hands and knees. 2) “I am strong in my core” shift hands and body forward; chest and eyes lifted. 3) “I make my body straight” – lower your hips so that your body is a straight line 4) “I am a solid plank” – curl your toes under, lift with your belly and straighten your legs. Planks are useful things. Name some of the many things made out of planks. Build up your strength by holding the pose for a little longer every day.• Airplane –1) “I prepare to fly” – stand with feet parallel and under hips. 2) “I lift off and balance” breathe, focus and stretch one leg back 3) “I climb into the sky” tip forward until you are parallel with the floor 4) “I soar on open wings” spread your arms out like wings. If you could fly, where would you go and would you fly alone or with a friend? Think of something that makes your heart soar and hold the thought as you try the pose again.• Arrow 1) “I am straight as an arrow” stand on your knees 2)”I am long and focused” extend left leg to left; place right hand under right shoulder; stretch left arm up 3) “I fly through the air” press down into hand and food; slide right food under left 4) “I dare to be strong” bend left knee. To feel as light as an arrow, align your bones and let them bear your weight. Use your tummy and leg muscles to balance. To fly requires confidence. Breathe and know that you can do it, and you will!• Boat 1) “I sit tall and hug myself” hug your knees, feet on the ground 2)”I lean back” put your arms behind your back; toes pointed. 3)”I am strong enough to leave the land” lift up your legs 4)”I float on the water” stretch out your arms and balance. In boat pose, feel and engage your core, right in your belly. When you think you can’t keep holding the pose, stay for 2 more breaths and see what happens• Tree – 1) “I send roots down deep into the earth” stand in mountain pose 2)”I am focused and stable” palms to chest, tuck one foot inside the opposite leg 3) “I reach high to the sky” stretch your arms out like branches 4)”I am a beautiful tree” bring your hands together above your head. What kind of tree are you? Feel yourself growing. Bend with the wind. You are supple enough to weather any storm!Stand:• Mountain – 1)”I rise from the earth” stand tall, feet parallel, chest lifted. 2)”I am strong and stable” flex your toes up to engage your legs 3)”I am tall and wide” press your palms together at your chest. 4)”I am a majestic mountain” lower your arms. Mountains go high into the sky above and deep into the earth below. Can you be grounded and light at the same time? What is it like on your mountain? Are you snowcapped? Is the sun shining? What can you see below?• Triangle 1) “my legs make a stable triangle” jump your feet apart 2) “I stretch out my arms” turn right foot out and left foot in. lift your arms 3)”I extend and reach out” tilt sideways over right leg and stretch arms wide 4)”I make triangles” lower your hand to your ankle. What are 3 aspects of yourself that come together when you do yoga? Where do you see triangles in the world around you?• Warrior I 1)”I step forward, breathe and focus” start in high lunge 2)”I plant myself firmly” turn your back heel down to the floor and press 3) “ I am strong” bring your hands to your thigh 4) “I am peaceful” bend deep as you reach both arms up to the sky. A peaceful warrior is someone who walks their talk, inspiring others by their example. Can you think of anyone who is a peaceful warrior? Can you be peaceful and determined?• Warrior II 1)”I am strong in body, heart and mind” jump feet apart 2) “I support myself” – turn your left food in and right foot forward 3)”I am ready to act” raise your arms 4)”I am trustworthy” turn your head to the right and bend your right knee. How can you support yourself in feeling strong in body, heart and mind? What does it mean to be trustworthy? Are you trustworthy?• Dancer 1) ‘I lengthen my spine; I breathe deeply” stand tall in mountain pose 2) “I am ready to dance” hold one ankle and lift the other arm 3)”I move with finesse” bend forward as you press your leg up and back 4)”I am a graceful dancer” arch, lift and extend. What is finesse? How does it differ from force? When you balance, you are always moving and changing, even if you can’t see it. Don’t freeze. If you lose your balance, just start again!Forward Bend• River – 1)”I am long and fluid” sit tall with your legs out in front of you 2)”I breathe and flow” press your hands down and lengthen your back 3)”I am water current” reach your hands to your feet. Hold your toes 4)”I am a deep river” stretch your chest out over your legs. Bend your knees and lengthen your spine before your flow forward. With finesse, fold a little further each time you breathe out. As you hold the pose, imagine you are in warm water and let yourself melt.• Rock 1)”I am grounded” sit on shins, spine straight 2)”I am silent” fold forward over your thighs 3)”I am still” stack your fists beneath your forehead 4)”I am a rock” place your forehead on the ground; rest hands by feet. Connect with the earth and imagine being a rock, stone or crystal. What texture, size and shape are you? How old? How heavy? Let go, rest and just be where you are. Go inside and feel the magic of silence, the strength of stillness• Down Dog – 1)”I am ready to play!” bend your knees and fold down 2)”I am a dog on all fours” come on to hands and knees 3) “I am ready to stretch” curl your toes under and press hips up and back 4)”I push back and open” stretch legs straight; heels down; arms strong. Can you name the parts of the body that you stretch in down dog pose? What kind of dog are you? What is your bark like?• Gorilla 1) “I am a flexible gorilla” squat with your knees open, hands on the ground 2) “I am big and strong” come up a bit and rest your elbows on your thighs 3) “I swing and hang loose” straighten your legs and swing to the right 4)”my life is fun!” now swing to the left. Have fun acting like a gorilla. Be silly and make gorilla sounds. Enjoy how you feel after you’ve been swinging like a gorilla• Turtle 1) “I breathe deeply” sit with feet together and knees apart 2)”I slide inside my shell” lift arms then slide them under your knees 3)”I am protected” place your hands on floor outside your feet 4)”I am a wise turtle” round your back; reach your head toward your feet. Turtles always have a safe, quiet space to go inside. So do you! What do you do there? Turtles also have a strong shell to protect themselves. How do you protect yourself in a difficult situation?Twist & Stretch:• Lying twist 1)”I am relaxed” lie on back, knees bent 2) “I give myself a hug” hug your knees to your chest 3)”I exhale and twist” stretch out arms; lower legs to right 4)”I breathe and lengthen” turn your head to the left to deepen the stretch. As you twist, see how slowly you can lower your knees, keeping them together. To deepen the twist, shift your hips sideways and bring your knees closer to your elbow. Enjoy the stretch and let go!• Dragon 1)“I am a powerful dragon” stand on knees, arm at sides 3) “I am alert and aligned” lunge one foot forward, hands on thigh 3)”I inhale and expand” stretch forward and down; reach arms up 4)”ha! I breathe out fire” exhale wit a big Ha! Spread your fingers. Try breathing fire often to cleanse and strengthen your lungs. Why are dragons special? Why are you special?• Cat 1)”I am alert” place hands under shoulders, knees under hips. 2)”I am supple” breathe in to arch your back and raise your head 3)”I am fluid and strong” breathe out to round your back and look at your belly button 4)”I am a cat!” leach back on your shins and stretch your arms forward. What kind of cat are you? Are you wild? Do you climb trees? Are you someone’s pet? What are the catlike qualities that you can feel now? Are you graceful, playful, quiet, focused?• Pretzel – 1)”I lengthen my spine and connect with the floor” sit cross legged on floor 2) “I twist my legs” bend your left leg over your right leg 3)”I reach and twist” hook right elbow outside left knee; left hand on floor behind you 4)”I am a perfect pretzel” clasp your hands behind your back. When you twist your spine, you squeeze out all kinds of tensions. What can you release? Notice how you feel after twisting. Are you more relaxed, open and alert?• Twisting dragon 1)”I am a clever dragon” stand on knees, hands at sides 2)”I am fierce and brave” lunge right leg forward; press back leg down. 3)”I twist like a spiral” twist upper body, bringing left elbow over your thigh 4)”I open my wings and let myself fly” lower your left hand to the floor; stretch your right arm up. Can you twist and still breathe? Don’t force! As you twist, let go of everything that weighs you down. Feel how much lighter you are!Back Bend:• Bridge 1)”I am relaxed and connected” lie on back, knees bent 2)”I lift and lengthen” curl your spine up, pressing down into your arms 3)”I arch up to the sky” arch your back as much as you can 4)”I am a strong bridge” join hands and press down to arch up higher. Bridges connect one thing with another. What do you need to connect to? What bridges have you crossed? What bridges do you need to build?• Dolphin 1)”I am a friendly dolphin” start on knees and arms, toes curled under 2)”I swim and play” clasp your hands 3)”I flip my tail up high” push up on to your toes and press your legs straight. 4)”I tiptoe higher” walk your feet in toward your elbows. Dolphins love to play as they swim, arching through the air. What makes you feel playful? Be kinds and playful when you repeat the pose and see what a difference it makes!• Shark – 1)”I am long and sleek” lie on your tummy. 2)”I am a strong swimmer” clasp your hands behind your back. 3)”I am determined” roll your shoulders back, lift your hands, feet and chest 4)”I am a fierce shark!” breathe, arch, lift and lengthen your whole body. Sharks know what they want and go after it. Use this pose to develop your strength, focus and determination. Do you have a fear you need to face? Circle it like a shark and scare it away!• Fish 1)”I am long and supple” sit up tall, legs straight 2) “ I plunge into the sea lean back on your forearms 3)”I open my heart” touch your head to the floor 4)”I swim deep and trust” join your hands above your belly. Think about how fishes swim in the water. Can you swim like a fish? Breathe deeply and be confident that you are supported by water as you hold the pose• Cobra 1) “I am long and strong” lie on your belly, head on hands. 2)”I raise my head” place your hands under shoulders 3)”I rise up and arch” lengthen legs back; press into hands and arch up 4)”I am a cobra. Hisss!” lift and open chest until arms are almost straight. As you arch up, imagine you could pull yourself through your hands. As snakes grow, they shed their skin. What have you outgrown? What are you now ready to let go of?Partner:• Double boat: 1)”we sit up tall”” bend knees, touch toes and hold hands 2)”we press our right soles and balance” lift legs, soles of right feet pressing 3)”we press our left soles and balance” 4)”we make a boat” straighten both legs and arch back. As with any balance pose, focus, breathe and move slowly, one step at a time. If you fall, roll and laugh and start again. Try different positions with legs to create different kinds of boats. Stay afloat for as long as you can!• Rooftops- 1)”we are partners” face partner, arms length apart. 2)”we touch our palms” press each others palms and step away from one another 3)”we press up” lean forward and start to push hands up 4)”we hold each other up” push hands up as high as you can. Breathe steadily, have fun and move slowly. Kneel if you are much taller than your partner.• Seesaw- 1)”we are willing” face each other, feet touching 2)”we are mindful” lean forward to grasp each others hands 3)”slowly we seesaw” pull your partner, lean back 4)”we go further” now let your partner pull you forward. Open your legs to a comfortable distance. If partners legs are longer or shorter than yours, touch anywhere. Try seesawing with legs extended straight and the soles of your feet together• Warrior friends- 1)”we are fearless” face each other, right foot to right foot 2)”we work together” step left legs back and bend right knees 3)”we link hands and pull “link hands left to right, right to left 4)”we are warrior friends” twist open and deepen stretch” focus on partners eyes and communicate without words. For a powerful stretch, twist, arch and turn away from each other, pulling hard• Back to back chair – 1)”We sit back to back” sit back to back on floor 2)”we become one chair” bend knees, feet flat, and hook elbows 3)”we press our backs together and rise” push into each others’ backs. 4)”we support each other” press up to standing. Don’t round your back. With a tall spine, press into partners back as if it’s a wall. Breathe and work together to balance your strength and resistance.• Elevator- 1)”our grip is strong” hold your partner by both wrists 2)”we lean away” lean away so that you are holding each other up 3)”we focus, going down” leaning away, bend your knees until squatting 4)”We flow, going up” leaning away, straighten legs to standing. Feel the difference between holding yourself up and leaning away so that your partner is holding you up. That’s balance!• Open heart- 1)”Together, we are willing to take a risk” stand behind your partner. 2)””I hold firmly so you can lean away” hold your partners wrists 3)”we work in trust” let your partner arch and lean forward 4)”We open our hearts2” hold your partner as he stretches fully forward. When you are the holder, stand with one foot back, one forward, and knees slightly bent. When you are the leaner, bend your elbows slightly and squeeze them together to open your shoulders and chest• Lizard on a rock- 1)”we connect through our toes” – kneel back to back 2)”We become reptile and stone” rock folds down over thighs; lizard squats 3)”may I rest on you?” lizard places sacrum on rock 4)”I relax, open my heart and recharge” lizard leans back across rock. If you are uncomfortable, tell your partner and adjust until the pose feels good for both of you. Your spine is the middle of your nervous system, so it’s important to warm up and be careful with each other• Double dog- 1) I create a foundation” stand in front of your partner as she performs down dog. 2)”I prepare to join you” place your hand in front of your partner’s hands. 3) “you support me” place 1 foot on your partner’s sacrum. 4) “Together we make a double dog!” bring your other foot up. A foundation is stable and can hold what is built above it without effort. When you are top dog, press up and back with your feet on your partner’s sacrum – it will lengthen your partners’ spine and feel wonderful• Double pretzel- 1)”we sit facing each other” sit cross-legged, knee to knee. 2)”we twist left extending right arms” twist left and extend your right arm to your partners back 3)”we wrap and clasp” reach your left hand behind your back and hold your partners right hand 4)”We wring each other out” gently pull, twist and arch so you both get a deep stretch. Pull your partner gently but firmly as you twist and look away. Work together to go deeper by opening your chest and arching your backGame• Yogi says – choose a leader and play just like simon says. Leader demonstrates different movements or yoga postures. Players follow along only when leader says yogi says; if leader doesn’t say it, and player moves player must perform a consequence, chosen by leader. Leader choose a yoga posture such as tree or warrior or something fun such as a donkey kick or frog jump. Take turn s being the leader. Try giving directions for group formations, such as “yogi says, everyone make a flower or a star”• Yoga pretzels – stand apart from each other, loose and relaxed. Choose a leader. Leader: call out names of body parts. The players have to make shapes by letting only those body parts touch the floor. Ex: “1 foot and 1 thumb”; “1 knee and 1 elbow”; “2 knees”; “just your tummy”; “shoulders and feet”. Be sure to take turns as leader. For more of a challenge, plan in pairs. If leader calls out “one hand, one foot” that means between the two of you• Go-stop-back-to-back – appoint a leader. Spread out in the space and make sure you have an uneven number of players. If someone needs to sit out, take turns. Follow the direction that your leader calls: “Go walk” “Go crawl” “Go roll” etc. when the leader calls “Stop! Back-to-back, 1…2…3!” stand or sit back-to-back with another person before the leader gets to three. If you don’t make it, sit out for a round or become the next leader. Play lively music and use this game as a warm up before doing partner poses.• Jazzy jamming – sit in a circle. You are a group of musicians about to create a piece of music using your voices and hands to sing, hum, whistle, clap knock etc. Close your eyes and listen carefully. Notice the sounds are you – and the silence. When you’re ready, choose a theme to inspire you. Here are some ideas “Rainforest” “Party” “Nightmare” “Winter”. Appoint a leader to start the rhythm or melody. Weave in complementary sounds as you feel moved. Allow your music to arise and die away naturally. Share a few moments of silence at the end, then open your eyes and thank one another.• Nature kids – make a list of natural phenomena such as storms, clouds, trees, rainbows, waves, fire etc. spread out so that you can make big movements without hitting anyone. Appoint a leader to call out the words in any order, at any speed. Act out each of the words in the way you think is best. Have fun!Time In• Community circle (harmony)- sit up tall holding hands. Close your eyes and go inside. Breathe and relax. Become aware of your inner self…now become aware of being with others. Choose someone to begin. That person squeezes the hand of the next person and so on until the squeeze has gone all the way around the circle. Next time you pass the squeeze, say a word that describes how you feel such as “happy” “peaceful” “special” “calm”. On the 3rd round, say a word that describes what you’d like to share with the others in your circle, such as “peace”,”fun”,”adventure”,”courage”• All is well (nurture) – rest back and relax. Close your eyes and go inside. Breathe and know that all is well…repeat softly or silently to yourself: May I be safe and loved. May I be happy and healthy. May I be kind and caring. May I know that all is well.• Be a rainbow (restore) – red: you are strong and safe. Orange: you are happy and playful. Yellow: you are proud and confident. Green: you are kind and caring. Blue: you are honest and truthful. Indigo: you are clever and creative. Violet: you are a good friend. Relax and close your eyes and go inside. Slow down your breathing…sigh, ahhh…let go and melt into the floor. Imagine you are walking down a beautiful path. A storm is clearing and you see a rainbow… Stand under it and let its warm, bright light fill you with happiness. You are connected to all life. You are a rainbow too.• Special place (relax)- sit back and relax. Breathe deeply and slowly. Close your eyes and go inside. Feel your breathing and let go of everything else… imagine a place that is special to you…where you love to be. It may be outside in nature, inside a house, or from a picture or dream. Wherever it is, go there now. Notice what it looks and smells like; see the textures and hear the sounds. In this special place, it is peaceful and beautiful…you feel safe and loved, happy and relaxed. You can feel your heart and know your own mind. You are free to be yourself and you decide who else can come in. you can invite someone you love to join you, or you can just be by yourself. Whatever you choose, enjoy some time for you in your special place.• Animal friend (support)- settle down and relax. Close your eyes and go inside. Breathe in love and breathe out worry…imagine you are outside. The sun is shining, the birds are singing. You hear a rustling in the bushes and then a giggle. Its an animal watching you and it wants to be your friend. What kind of animal is it? Let it come close so that you can sit together and be close. This animal is wise and here to support you. If you have a question, a secret or a problem, you can share it with him. He will help you. Your animal friend loves you very much.