The Yoga Adventure for Children: Playing, Dancing, Moving, Breathing, Relaxing

By Helen Purperhart and Barbra Von Amelsfort

The Yoga Adventure for Children is an illustrated manual for teachers at primary schools and yoga teachers who wish to create children's classes. Featuring 80 drawings of poses, the book playfully acquaints children with yoga stretches and postures and the philosophy behind the practice. Blending yoga, play, dance, music, drama, and drawing, the book requires very little preparation before use. Parents too can share The Yoga Adventure for Children with their child at home. Practicing yoga together offers an opportunity to both parents and the child to laugh, play, and have fun together.

Many yoga positions are inspired by animals and stimulate suppleness and strength, and all aspects of yoga are included in the games: relaxation, breathing, concentration, meditation, self-awareness, and visualization. Concepts like karma, chakra, and the elements are explained and developed without too much confusing detail. The games in this book can also be used to increase children's concentration and self-esteem, and to stimulate them to express more creativity, imagination, and better social skills.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
• Release date: Jun 4, 2007
• ISBN: 9780897935487

Book preview

The Yoga Adventure

for Children

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The Yoga Adventure for Children by Helen Purperhart

The

Yoga Adventure

FOR

Children

Playing, Dancing, Moving,

Breathing, Relaxing

Helen Purperhart

Translated by Amina Marix Evans

Illustrated by Barbara van Amelsfort

Copyright © 2007 by Uitgeverij Panta Rhei

First published in the Netherlands in 2004 by Panta Rhei as

Het Yoga Avontuur voor Kinderen

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the copyright owner and the publisher of this book. Brief quotations may be used in reviews prepared for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, or for broadcast. For further information please contact:

Hunter House Inc., Publishers

PO Box 2914

Alameda, CA 94501-0914

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Purperhart, Helen.

[Het yoga avontuur voor kinderen. English]

The yoga adventure for children : playing, dancing, moving,

breathing, relaxing / Helen Purperhart.

p.  cm. — (Yoga games for children)

ISBN-13: 978-0-89793-470-1 (pbk.)

ISBN-10: 0-89793-470-9 (pbk.)

ISBN-13: 978-0-89793-471-8 (spiral bound)

ISBN-10: 0-89793-471-7 (spiral bound)

1. Hatha yoga for children. I. Title.

Project Credits

Printed and Bound by Bang Printing, Brainerd, Minnesota

Manufactured in the United States of America

9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1       First Edition        07  08  09  10  11

Contents

Foreword

About the Author

Acknowledgments

Introduction

The Exercises

Planning the Yoga Class

Timing

Workspace

Preparation

The Role of the Leader

Rules

Duration

Key to the Icons Used in the Games

The Rules of Yoga

The Five Abstinences

The Five Precepts

The Peace Agreement

Exercises, Games, and Stories

Warm-Up Exercises—Dance of the Joints

Yoga Postures

Yoga Games

Breathing Exercises

Concentration and Meditation

Exercising the Senses

Chakra Exercises

Visualization Exercises

Wake-Up Exercises

Storytelling

Experiences with Crystals

The Games Arranged by Specific Categories

A detailed list of the games indicating appropriate age

groups begins on the next page.

List of Games

Important Note

The material in this book is intended to provide information about a safe, enjoyable exercise program for children. Every effort has been made to provide accurate and dependable information. The contents of this book have been compiled through professional research and in consultation with professionals. However, professionals have differing opinions, and some of the information may become outdated; therefore, the publisher, authors, and editors, as well as the professionals quoted in the book cannot be held responsible for any error, omission, or dated material. The authors and publisher assume no responsibility for any outcome of applying the information in this book. Follow the instructions closely. Note that children’s bodies are fragile, so they should not be forced to assume any physical positions that cause them pain or discomfort. If you have questions concerning your exercise program or about the application of the information described in this book, consult a qualified professional.

Foreword

Helen came into the African dance class with shining eyes and a broad smile. From the moment the drums began, she was unstoppable. It was wonderful to watch

Reviews for The Yoga Adventure for Children

[jjmcgaffey · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A very good book - for someone who knows yoga and is familiar with the postures, and wants to teach a class to children. The descriptions of the postures are sometimes a bit sketchy - as in, I who have done yoga occasionally don't know what the heck it wants me to do! It is designed for quite young children, especially the stories (guided visualization) - the oldest group suggested is up to 12 years old (and the youngest, as young as 4). Personally I think the stories would have annoyed me, as either pointless or pushing an agenda, by the time I was 12 - but every child is different. The postures and games look interesting, and I can see how some kids would have a lot of fun with the ideas presented. Personally, I find the presentation of crystal beliefs and chakras a little annoying (as in pushing an agenda); there is a mention near the beginning that you don't have to use the spiritual parts if you don't want to, though. I rather like the information about the five Abstinences and Precepts. Overall - not particularly interesting or useful to me, could be very good for someone who wants to teach a class to kids and wants some suggestions on themes and notions. I still have no idea why I got it...maybe the ER algorithm needed some tweaking back then. I certainly needed some tweaking to get my ER review done!

[florilegio-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book of yoga practices for children is well-organized and easy to use. Unfortunately my four-year-old daughter found it difficult to do any of the stretching poses that were outside of her age range, leaving us with few useful exercises. This seems like it would be an appropriate book for an educator looking to incorporate stretches and imaginative visualization practices into quiet times.

[doowatt34 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a wonderful book...filled with yoga stretching excersizes for children but adults can do them too. I practiced some of the moves with my grandbaby and they are not as easy as they look for someone who does not stretch everyday. However my grandbaby was in rare form as she had no problems moving into the required positions for the different movements. She absolutely loves the various positions and I have no problems getting her to practice. Very good information and lots of fun!!!

[sarahbrassard · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My daughters are younger than the recommended age for this book, but we're having fun with it anyway! My toddler really likes to pretend she's an animal, so I show her how to do the various poses and we make the appropriate sounds, while my baby watches. We took a parent and baby yoga class last year, and this book is a great way to build on that foundation together. The format is really user friendly - quick and easy to look up poses or read for more information. It would be really nice if it was spiral bound, so that it stayed open while you were using it.

[smsuchy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Looking for a curriculum to teach youngsters yoga? Here is an excellent guide for you to use for children aged 4 to 12. Exercises are targeted for specific age groups but most are appropriate for any child. Besides exercises, this book offers clever illustrations of animal named exercises, art activities, and stories that illustrate the principles of karma, non-violence and self-discipline.

[cotto_18 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My childrens' new favorite pass time. At least this has pulled them away from the TV for awhile! The book is simply written and the pictures are fun. My 8 year old likes to help my 4 year old do the exercises. This book has helped my promote health and exercise in my home.

[mindfulone_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a clever little book. It's simply written so that even a child can read and implement the instructions, and the drawings of poses are helpful. I also like organization of information. There are sections for breathing, yoga, visualization, etc. At the end of the book is a handy index showing which exercises and games require props and which don't. The only device that isn't as helpful and I found confusing was the way the exercises are identified by age group. The icons representing the four different groups look too similar, making it difficult to remember if it means the age group for ages 4-8, 4-12, 6-12, or 8-12. On the whole it's a useful guide for teachers, parents, kids, and childcare providers.