Summer Yoga Postures for Kids (Our 3 Favorites)

I love taking yoga outside in the summer. There is something so energizing about the sensation of grass against my bare feet & the sun slowly rising over the trees as I move & relax through each sequence in the morning air. When my daughter was little she would  be right next to me, in the evening after dinner, shadowing me for a little while, then running off to catch fireflies as the sun set.

Today's post shares our three favorite summer postures, (modeled by my daughter). Try them outside with your kids or in your office as you take a break from the computer. Remember to keep your breath moving as you try each one and you will find the posture easier to do. (When we hold our breath, we are not just holding breath. We are also holding on to muscle, mental and emotional tension. When we let breath flow, we allow relaxation, awareness, creative ideas, solutions to problems and calm to "come in" to our stressed bodies & brains.)

Seahorse Pose:



Seahorse Pose
Photo: B. Gini

Seahorse (more commonly known as 'Chair Pose') strengthens legs, (particularly thighs), ankles and lower back. Its a good posture for those with flat feet. This posture stimulates digestion, and also strengthens the breathing muscle (diaphragm) and the heart.

Stand with your feet hip width apart. Bend knees as if sitting down. Raise arms up as shown. Breathe in deeply to the count of four and out to the count of four. Remain in posture for 30 seconds to a minute. (You can adapt for children or beginners and have them stay in the pose for 3 breaths. Then increase to 5 breaths, 7 breaths, etc.) Imagine you are a seahorse swimming under the water. (You can vary the pose and strengthen feet by raising up & balancing on your toes while knees are bent. )

To come out of this pose straighten your knees and come back to a standing position with an inhalation, lifting through the arms. Exhale and release your arms to your sides. (Make this more challenging & increase thigh strength by placing & squeezing a ball, balloon or block between knees during the pose.)

Surfer's Pose:

Surfer's Pose
Photo: B. Gini

(More Commonly known as Warrior II) Strengthens the shoulders, lower spine, chest, inner thighs and hips. It also has been known to instill an overall feeling of confidence, improve energy level and increases stamina.

Begin by standing with feet about 3 feet apart (wider than hips.) Turn right foot in towards center about 45 degrees and left foot 90 degrees outward to the left. Stretch out arms and bring up to shoulder height. Keeping spine and trunk straight, turn head to look over left foot (the 90 degree one) and past fingers. Bend left knee so that shin is perpendicular to the ground.  Imagine that you are perfectly balanced as you surf towards the beach.

Stay in posture for 30 seconds to 1 minute or a pre-determined number of breaths. Inhale to come up. Reverse the feet and repeat for the same length of time to the opposite side.

Peace Pose:

Peace Pose
Photo: B. Gini

(Also known as Easy Pose) Improves overall posture and strengthens the trunk from the back down to the hips and pelvis. It is a calming posture and helps relax & recharge the brain and central nervous system.  When practiced regularly it can have a grounding effect on children, and can help improve concentration over longer periods of time.

To do this posture, fold a thick stable blanket several times as shown. Sit with hips to edge of blanket so that they are about 4-5 inches off the ground. (This takes pressure off the hips and makes it easier for children or adults with limited flexibility to sit in this position.) Criss-cross your shins, and slide each foot beneath the opposite knee as you bend knees and fold the legs in toward your torso. (Do not tuck feet in close to body. Leave them about 6-12 inches away from body.)  Relax legs. (You can use a pillow or folded blanket to support knees at first if posture is initially uncomfortable.)


Be sure to keep spine straight, as if the head was being lifted up by a hot air balloon, and bottom grounded to the blanket or floor. Hands on knees and always alternate the order in which the legs are crossed. Sit quietly and notice each part of your body, from your toes up to your head. Imagine that each breath comes in and out of that body part, relaxing and re-charging it.  (This posture can also be adapted to be done while seated in a chair with feet flat on floor and spine against back of chair.)


Do you have a favorite summer (traditional or non-traditional) posture or stretch? Tell us what it is in the comments below!


Find a downloadable version of this article to use in the classroon or at camp:
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