Guiding a Relaxation Practice for Kids

When I teach a series of kids yoga classes or a kids yoga summer camp, I ask the students at the end “What was your favorite part of yoga class this week?.” The most popular answer is: Relaxation.

As I discussed in my kids yoga blog Calm vs Not Calm, children want to feel calm, but they need to be taught how to find that calm peaceful feeling. After they have experienced it, they remember and request relaxation most of the time. I have even begun a few kids yoga classes with relaxation because the students asked for it. One of my favorite quotes from a student was:

“Are we going to do that thing where we lay down and float on a cloud through a rainbow?”

Yes!

The relaxation time is probably the most important part of a kids yoga class. Isn’t that why we all practice yoga to begin with, to feel relaxed and peaceful?

Benefits of a relaxation practice:

• Slows brain waves

• Balances the nervous system

• Response to stress (Not reaction)

• Promote a sense of peace and wellbeing

• Focus and awareness of the inner and outer world

• Visualization to cultivate imagination and inner wisdom

• Creative imagery focuses the mind while being still

• Body Awareness

So the question is, “Do you leave enough time for relaxation practice?

It is a struggle to fit all the elements of a kids yoga class into a short time frame. The bigger the classes the tougher it becomes.

A few helpful hints for setting up for a relaxation practice:

• Save about 10 minutes for relaxation at the end of class

• Younger children require more guidance and less quiet time

• Older children prefer less talking, more time for quiet

• 1 minute per age

For younger children, talk more and say the same few words over and over to get them to a calm peaceful place. Then hold that quiet space for at least a minute or two, just so the children can have the peaceful experience. The older children just want time to be quiet, peaceful and still.

Ways to enhance the relaxation time in class:

• Respect Energetic Space - the practice of relaxation is an intimate one. Be sure to create a safe space for the students to feel comfortable, and keep out of their energetic space while they relax.

• Voice - Practice reading a relaxation script a few times so that it comes naturally from you with a calm soothing voice.

• Mood - Set the mood for relaxation. Let it be a ritual of sorts and allow the children to find there comfy cozy place to relax.

  • Music - soft and gentle

  • Lighting - dim lights, or turn them off

  • Props – Mats, Blankets, Eye Pillows, Lavender Towels (this is a favorite!)

    • Offer the option to roll up in a mat like a burrito, or cover like a blanket

• Hold the Space - sit in Mediation

  • Not the time to clean up

  • Not the time to take notes

  • Sometimes go & sit next to a fidgeting child

• Ending Relaxation Practice – just as important as putting them into relaxation

  • Verbal Cues – Notice breathe, gentle movement, slowly come up to sit on your mat

Cautions to be mindful of during relaxation time:

Please remember that not all children will love or enjoy relaxation time. A dark and quiet room can be a trigger for some children that have experienced trauma. Please be respectful of this and always ask if you can turn down the lights. NEVER tell them to close their eyes. Offer closing the eyes as a option, but keeping them open with a soft gaze is ok too.

• Sitting still, eyes closed, in silence, with lights off - can be triggers

• Unwanted feelings and emotions may come up

• Be the guide/facilitator that holds the space

• Practice self awareness and being present with what IS, without judgement

• Establish a trusting and predictable relationship

In conclusion…

Relaxation time is the most important part of a kids yoga class. It’s the time where all the benefits from the yoga poses, and breathing practice settle down and work within. Make sure that you leave enough time to allow children to enjoy this relaxation experience. Children need to be taught how to relax so that they can find that calm, peaceful feeling inside and take it with them off the mat and into their day.

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Ms. Brandon, RCYT, RYT500, holds a Master's degree in Special Education from Western Carolina University, is a highly qualified educator, and has 20 years' experience working with children and children with special needs. Information for this resource page come from Ms. Brandon’s 95 hour Children’s Yoga Teacher Training RCYS, and is approved by Yoga Alliance.