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The ABC's of Yoga For Kids by Teresa Anne Power illustrated by Kathleen Rietz Stafford House
book review by review
"Yoga means 'union' of breath, body and mind. As you practice these poses, you will start to find a sense of calm and serenity, building deep within you a strong and stable identity."
What a unique and clever way to teach kids the basics of yoga! Written for children ages 3-8, this book is a carefree whimsical way of teaching kids the art of yoga. Practicing the art of yoga for 25 years and currently instructing preschoolers and kindergartners, the author employs light verse with simple rhyming instructions such as "Butterfly. With the soles of my feet touching, I gaze straight ahead. My hands rest on shoulders, as my butterfly wings spread" to teach the basic yoga positions. Incorporating the verses with object words such as Airplane, Bird, Cow, and Dinosaur, the various poses wind through the alphabet, creating great exercises that allow for flexibility, movement, and concentration.
The poses are not difficult and the verses are easy to understand for even the youngest kids. Yes, as with anything new, first-timers may struggle, but even young kids will catch on quickly. The brightly colored pictures of kids positioned in the various yoga poses make this an excellent picture book, but combined with the verse, it will make you want to read the book over and over. In short time, kids will have the verses memorized not realizing they have learned reading, rhyming, ABC's, yoga, etc. They may even become more creative doing "New Pose. It’s time for me to create a new yoga pose. I must remember to breathe in and out through my nose!"