Playing with a Purpose: Parent Child Yoga

Michelle Ressa-Aventajado with sons Miguel (7 years old) and Diego (4 years old)

"The biggest difference is that you and your child will work together to experience all the benefits while playing your way through the asanas. After all, YOU are the best playmate your child will ever have."

In this pose parent and child are back to back with their feet spread wider than their hips. Feet are flat on the floor and facing forward. This beginner inversion will help bring all the blood to your head so as you exhale and fold forward be sure that the crown of your head points towards the floor. Hold the outside of your calves or your ankles as you enjoy the connection.

Parent and child face one another with legs spread in a diamond shape. Feet should touch. If your child is very young, adjust this pose by bringing your child�s feet to different spots on the inside of your legs so that your child is still achieving a deep stretch. Once rooted with your sit bones (the bones under your buttocks) firmly planted on the floor, you will reach up with your right hand and stretch over to your left side. Because you are facing each other, the pose naturally flows into a give and take. When it comes time to stretch the other side (because in yoga, everything is balanced by both sides.) you already have the flow down pat.

In the same seated position as Rib Splitting Seated Triangle, you will continue to face your child and hold hands. This stretch will have you literally see-sawing back and forth with your child as you gently stretch and strengthen your legs, back and abdominals.

This pose requires you to lie on your tummies facing one another. By lifting your legs off the mat and arching your back so that your shoulders and chest come up off the mat as well, you are flying! Take turns deciding what direction to fly in. Maybe you want to bank left or right, or even come in for a slow landing.

This can teach children how to read visual cues and it deepens the bond through eye contact. Parent and child take turns on their tummies. Someone pretends to be the snake while the other person is the �snake charmer.� The snake charmer decides what direction the snake will follow by moving up down and side to side while playing an imaginary magic flute. Kids love being both the snake and the Snake Charmer! This is a wonderful opportunity to talk about taking turns and playing fair.

This is a great pose that my kids love! You lay on your back with your knees hugged close to your chest. Your child places his chest or rib cage on the soles of your feet so that your child will be able to balance and fly. Hold hands to assist child in balancing. Test your child�s flying skills by using one hand or two. Usually, giggling is something that goes hand in hand with this fun pose.

I�ve been told before that laughter is the language of love�well, in this case taking the time to spend with your child and have fun definitely lets him know he is loved. You and your child lie on your backs side by side and ride an imaginary bike. Pedal your legs, hold the handle bars up high. DON�T FORGET TO LAUGH. Try different types of laughter�deep, high pitched, fast, slow, loud or soft�the belly laughing will soon follow once they realize that Mom or Dad can be silly too. Laughter is contagious and invigorating. Give those abdominals a work out!

This is a much more fun take on Downward Facing Dog. Begin with hands and knees planted on the floor. Palms should be flat, fingers spread and planted shoulder-width apart. Knees are hip-width apart and toes are curled under. Coming into our �doggie� pose means that you are going to lift your knees off the floor, bring your bum up in the air and straighten the back of your legs. Don�t forget to bark! This is where a real role reversal can take place in a fun way. Stay in this position, try not to bend your knees and let your child walk YOU as she would walk her favorite doggie!

Parents hold child�s pose (balanasa) as child sits on lower back side. Sit on your knees where your bottom is resting on the heels of your feet. Exhale as you slowly rest your forehead on the mat and stretch your arms and hands to lengthen you torso. If you need to spread your knees a bit to find a spot that�s more comfortable, feel free to do so. Have your child sit all the way on the �bottom of your bottom.� You want her to be far enough down because she will lie on your back face up. Encourage your child to slowly lean back and rest her head near yours stretching the abdominals in a safe and loving way. Reach hands over head. Lie there like a lizard would lie on a rock in the sun. Be grateful for the sun and thankful for the rock.

Sit in easy pose as you face one another. Root your sits bones and stretch your spine. Roll your shoulders back. Inhale and exhale. Honor your child for who she is. Let her know that you honor her by telling her so. Remind her how wonderful she is and how glad you are that she is there for you to love.

In this pose, parent and child sit back-to-back on sit bones. As feet are flat on the floor with knees pointing up to the sky, spread your legs open wide. Slide hands flat on the floor under each leg where the knee is directly above your arms at your elbow. Reach back and hold your child�s hands as you deepen the stretch by trying to touch your forehead to the floor. This is hiding in your turtle shell with a partner. Take this time to talk about any fears that your child may have.