Yoga Practices Can Help Kids Navigate Life With Ease

by Karen G

In the year of Covid, we’ve all had to face our emotional ups and downs. Kids experienced their own
fears and worries and I can’t even imagine what it felt like to be a kid during the pandemic.
It’s so beneficial that kids learn how to get into their bodies and connect to their breath and learn how
to calm and quiet their mind.

Yoga means to ‘yoke,’ or 'to join' connecting the breath, body and the mind which helps reset and align energy in the body.
Yoga also helps kids explore more about themselves, builds self‐confidence, body awareness, cooperation,
and fosters compassion towards self as well as having fun discovering the inner light within.

If you are a parent, caregiver or teacher and you want to have fun practicing yoga along with learning
helpful breathing techniques together, the library has a variety of yoga books for you to check out.

The three little yogis and the wolf who lost his breath : a fairy tale to help you feel better

Susan Verde

jE Verde
Picture Books

In this twist on the classic fairy tale, a wolf who lost his huff and puff consults with three yogis to help him find his breath. "Once upon a time there lived a wolf who lost his huff and his puff. It was a BIG, BAD problem! One morning, the wolf came upon a peaceful little yogi doing sun salutations. The wolf wanted to huff and puff and blooow her hut down into a big pile of straw. But instead the yogi suggested, "Let's meditate on that!" Soon the wolf met a second yogi, and then a third. He may have lost his huff and puff -- but with the help of three new yogi friends, can the wolf find his breath?" --

I love this spin on this classic fairy tale. There are lots of calming breathing exercises.
- Karen G

Dinos don't do yoga

Catherine (Children's story writer) Bailey

jE Bailey
Picture Books

Everything in Rex's valley is rough and tough until Yogasaurus moves in, and although Rex insists dinosaurs do not do yoga his friends slowly drift toward the newcomer to try.

Ok, this is a winning combination with a great message. Be kind, regardless. You will have fun together doing the Tyrannosaurus, S-T-R-E-T-C-H!
- Karen G

A morning with grandpa

Sylvia Liu

jE Liu
Picture Books

Curious and energetic Mei Mei attempts some tai chi forms as her grandfather demonstrates them, then tries to teach him basic yoga poses. Includes introductions to t'ai chi and yoga, as well as instructions for the exercises described in the text.

As a grandparent, I love the special bond I have with my grandson. This is a lovely story about a special bond between grandparent and grandchild as they share the joy of learning new things together. Maybe you'll want to try tai chi and yoga too!
- Karen G

Good morning yoga : a pose-by-pose wake-up story

Mariam Gates

jE Gates
Picture Books

Yoga helps children learn how to focus, relax, and both self-monitor and self-soothe. "Good Morning Yoga" instills these four skills and more, enabling children to jumpstart the day with excitement and meet the adventures that come with mindfulness and perspective.

My daddy is a pretzel : yoga for parents and kids

Baron Baptiste

j613.7046 Baptiste
Nonfiction

While other children's parents are veterinarians, gardeners, and builders, one father is able to become a dog, a tree, and a bridge using various yoga poses.

My first yoga : fun and simple yoga poses for babies and toddlers

Sally Beets

jBOARD BOOK Beets

Let your toddler discover the joys of yoga through the simple poses in this yoga book for kids.

This board book is a wonderful introduction for babies and toddlers.
- Karen G

I am yoga

Susan Verde

jE Verde
Picture Books

As a young girl practices various standard yoga poses, she imagines herself as a tree touching the sky, a playful dog, a warrior, and more while relaxing and seeing how she fits into the world.

You are a lion! : and other fun yoga poses

Tae-Eun Yoo

jE Yoo
Picture Books

"Children pretend to be many different animals as they do various yoga poses"--

This clever book is a fun way to learn yoga poses!
- Karen G

Breathe like a bear

Kira Willey

jBOARD BOOK Willey
Kids

"Part of the Mindfulness Moments for Kids series, this mindful meditation exercise featuring a sweet bear cub helps kids feel calm, wherever they are. With this board book, kids will learn to control their breathing and soothe themselves slowly to sleep, just like a bear in hibernation! Best of all, it can be performed anywhere: in the backseat of a car, at home, or even at a child's desk at school. Based on Kira Willey's Parents' Choice GOLD Award-winning writing, this board book series (Listen like an Elephant and the upcoming Bunny Breaths) is the first of its kind and is the perfect tool to help children and parents develop a fun and consistent mindfulness practice. Adapted from the successful Breathe like a Bear hardcover/trade paperback--a collection of mindful moments and exercises for kids--this board book is an easy-to-follow breathing exercise kids can use to manage their bodies, breath, and emotions."

As a kids yoga teacher, I really love Kira Willey's music and books. Come check them out!
- Karen G

Peppa loves yoga

Lauren Holowaty

jE Peppa
Picture Books

"Peppa and her pals practice yoga, mindfulness, and how to keep calm..."--

Llamaste & friends [board book] : being kind through yoga

Annabel Tempest

jBOARD BOOK Tempest

"Join Llamaste as she helps her friends become calm by teaching them yoga."--Back cover.

This colorful little book not only teaches yoga poses but teaches how each pose can help manage feelings and emotions.
- Karen G

The yoga game in the garden

Kathy Beliveau

jE Beliveau
Picture Books

A collection of riddles encourages readers to guess the names of different yoga poses inspired by animals who live in the garden, and illustrates how to replicate each pose.

ABC yoga

Christiane Engel

jE Engel
Picture Books

Alphabetized animals introduce simplified yoga poses, from the Armadillo's extended child's pose to the Zzzz, sleeping pose.