Yoga with Dakota

About

Description: This narrated click-through activity teaches kid-friendly yoga poses to encourage relaxation and mindfulness. Yoga has numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits for children. Physically, it enhances flexibility, strength, and coordination. Mentally, it promotes concentration and reduces stress. Emotionally, yoga helps children develop self-awareness and emotional regulation. By incorporating yoga into their routine, kids can learn to manage their emotions better, improve their focus, and build a healthy relationship with their bodies.

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Mindfulness, Coping Strategies, Anxiety Reduction, Relaxation Techniques, Self-Awareness

Using Yoga with Dakota in Session

Discuss the benefits of yoga

Discussing the benefits of yoga with a client before beginning this activity is important because it helps them understand what to expect and why they are doing it. It can make them more excited and motivated to participate, knowing that yoga can help them feel calm, strong, and focused. This understanding sets a positive tone for the activity and encourages them to fully engage with the practice.

"Yoga and stretching are like fun exercises that help your body feel strong and flexible, like a superhero! When you do yoga, you learn cool poses that make your muscles strong and stretchy. It also helps you feel calm and focused, like when you take deep breaths. Yoga can make you feel happy, focused, and relaxed, and it’s a great way to play and exercise at the same time. So, doing yoga with Dakota is a fun way to feel great inside and out!"

Begin Yoga with Dakota

Yoga with Dakota is a narrated and illustrated activity that will guide the client through 12 different kid-friendly yoga poses including:

🦋 Butterfly, ⛰️ Mountain, 🐍 Snake, 🌳 Tree, 🐕 Downward Dog, 🐈/🐄 Cat-cow, ✈️ Airplane, 🐸 Frog, 🦸🏽 Superhero, 👶🏼 Happy Baby, 🌉 Bridge, and ⭐ Starfish

Your client can move forward and back by clicking the left and right arrows.  This allows them to navigate through the activity on their own. 

Process
Talking to kids after yoga helps them understand how their bodies and minds feel during and after the activity. It gives them a chance to share their favorite parts, what they found challenging, and how yoga made them feel. This conversation helps them see the benefits of yoga, like feeling calm and relaxed, and encourages them to keep using yoga to handle stress or emotions in the future. Plus, it’s a great way to connect and listen to their thoughts and experiences!

1. How did you feel before and after doing yoga?

2. Which yoga pose was your favorite, and why? Which ones did you find challenging?

3. Can you describe how your body felt during the stretches?

4. How did focusing on your breathing make you feel?

5. What thoughts went through your mind while you were doing yoga?

6. Did any pose make you feel especially calm or happy?

7. How do you think yoga can help you when you’re feeling stressed or upset?

8. Would you like to practice yoga again? 

Related resources

In the Hopscotch Play Print section, you will find a PDF that contains the different Dakota poses from the activity.