WHAT SIMPLE YOGA POSITIONS CAN CHILDREN START WITH?

FROG 1. Squat with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart. 2. Lower your heels down to the floor, but don’t worry if you can’t bring them flat on the ground. 3. Place your hands on the floor in front of your feet.

■ Encourage children to squat regularly in Frog pose to keep their legs and back healthy. The pose will also support the healthy functioning of their digestive system.

BUTTERFLY

1. Sit with the soles of your feet together and hold your ankles. 2. Close your eyes and take a few steady breaths in and out. 3. Imagine you’re a butterfly and picture the colour and patterns of your wings.

■ Butterfly pose will calm and reassure your children, while helping to maintain the natural flexibility of their hips and strengthen their back.

TREE

1. Stand tall with your feet together. 2. Lift your right foot to the inside of your left leg. 3. Bring your hands into prayer position in front of your chest and then above your head. 4. Balance for as long as possible and then repeat on the other side. ■ Tree pose will strengthen children’s legs and arms, improve their balance and develop confidence, focus and concentration. It will also develop their imagination, as they imagine they’re palm trees on a sandy beach etc.