World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. It encourages the good deeds. It reminds us that we have the power to create a kinder world. One simple kind act, even the smallest one can make a difference through compassion. Your act of kindness will unite you with others. Acts of kindness improve bonds and social relationships and help children to develop stronger friendships.
Kindness Yoga Warm Up for Kids:
“Freeze Dance” Kids Yoga Game: It is a simple and fun game that only requires a space for children to dance and a song that can be stopped and started easily at random times. “Kindness” is my favorite freeze dance song especially for this special day to play by the Juicebox Jukebox. The song takes about 3-4 minutes but with pauses it will take up to 5-6 minutes – pretty good time to warm up.
The music starts and kids dance freestyle to the song. When the music stops, call out an animal kids yoga pose such as frog, bird, dog, etc. and all the children would have to freeze in that animal yoga pose until the music starts again.
Kindness Yoga Poses for Kids:
There are many ways to show kindness to others every day. Let’s show more kindness to those around us this World Kindness Day!
** Tidy up around your house. (House: Open your legs wide but a comfortable distance apart. Lift your arms up over your head bringing your hands together.)
** Plant a tree. (Tree: Standing tall, bend your right knee. Place your right foot on the inside of your left leg either above or below your knee joint. Bring your hands in front of your heart or you can lift your arms up to the sky.)
** Feed the birds in the park. (Bird: Open your legs wide. Come halfway up into a flat back. Lift your arms out at your side like wings floating up and down as you fly like a bird.)
** Hold the door open for someone. (Door: Standing on your knees, extend your right leg to the right. Lift the left arm over head toward the right. Slide the right hand down the right leg. Keeping your chest open, bend toward the right side.)
** Walk a neighbor’s dog. (Dog: Coming to all fours, tuck the toes, lift your knees. Send your hips up and back.)
** Surprise someone with flowers. (Flower: Sitting tall, bring the soles of your feet together. Slide your hands underneath your legs and take hold of your ankles. Balance on sitting bones.)
** Give a surprise gift to someone you care about. (Gift: From a seated position, bring the soles of your feet together. Fold forward, resting your hands on your feet. Your head should hang down toward your heels.)
** Practice gratitude. (Namaste: Sitting tall and crossing your legs, bring your hands together in touch in front of your chest, in prayer position.)
** Give someone a hug. (Hugging: Sitting on the floor and crossing your legs, wrap your arms around yourself and give a caring hug.)
** Give up your seat on the bus to another person. (Bus: Sit on the floor stretching your legs out in front of you. Make sure you are seated on your sit bones. Keeping the feet straight with toes pointing towards the ceiling. Hold your imaginary steering wheel and lean back as if going up and fold forward as if going down.)
** Call a relative you haven’t spoken to in a while. (Telephone: Sitting tall, take your legs out long in front of you. Take hold of one of your ankles, holding it to your ear.)
** Entertain a baby with a game of peek-a-boo. (Happy Baby: Lying on your back, bring your knees into your chest with the soles of your feet towards the ceiling. Gently grab the inside of your feet, pressing the soles deep downwards. Keep the shoulders relaxed with the neck.)
** BE KIND TO YOURSELF!
Kindness Yoga Relaxation for Kids:
Now I want you to sit up tall, relax your shoulders, and put your hands on your lap. You can also close your eyes if you want. Now put your attention on your breath. Being aware of your breathing is a very special thing. This awareness brings you right here, in this place where you are sitting, in this room. It’s amazing how air circulates through your body, incessantly in and out, and you don’t have to make any effort for it. Your breath is always with you. Maybe you can tell where you’re feeling your breath right now. Is it in your nose, in your chest, or down in your stomach? Observe that your chest and stomach swell with each inhale and descend with each exhale.
Now think about something that happened recently or today. Think of a wonderful moment like when someone was kind to you, for no reason, while you weren’t doing anything, saying a nice word, or a warm smile… Remember that moment and observe what happens when you think about it…
Open your heart to happiness and let happiness cover your whole body. Let that feeling fill you completely. Isn’t it nice to feel this way? It’s nice to be kind. It raises your morale. It’s a simple thing and anyone can do it. It warms the hearts of others. Stay with this wonderful feeling a little longer and remember it throughout the day. You will notice the smile on your face… When you are ready, you may slowly open your eyes.
Kindness Yoga Games for Kids:
I have chosen two different kids’ yoga games that a group of children are required to play in a polite and kind way. I hope you enjoy them!
Follow the Leader Yoga Game:
It is a fun kid’s game that can be played with kids of all ages. The rules are simple and all you need is children and some imagination.
Game Proceedings:
• Choose who will be the leader. All the other children playing will line up behind the leader in a single line.
• The leader leads the group any direction he/she wants and makes up yoga poses for everyone to do after him/her such as tree, crab, dog, frog, chair poses…
• Children do everything the leader of the line does.
• There is no winner or loser in this game as in other kid’s yoga games.
• Set time limits so everyone gets a chance to be the leader. Children take turns leading and following.
Monkey in the Middle Yoga Game:
Materials Needed: A soft ball, and at least 3 children to play
Game Proceedings:
• Choose who will be the first kid/monkey in the middle of the circle.
• All the other players will stand in a circle around the monkey.
• One of the players in the circle will toss the ball to another player in the circle. While the ball is in the air, the monkey will try to grab the ball before the other player catches it.
• If the monkey catches the ball, he/she will show a yoga pose to the circle of players to do with him/her.
• The player who tosses the ball becomes the new monkey while the old monkey takes his/her place in the circle.
• If a player in the circle holds the ball for more than 3 seconds, then he/she is the new monkey.
• This is an endless game with no winners or losers.
Kindness Yoga Assessment:
