Bedtime is one of the trickiest transitions to navigate with children.
One day might be smooth sailing, with all children in bed and sleeping before you’re able to finish a single bedtime story.
The next day might be a bit more tumultuous, with energetic children trying their best to play for just one more minute before bed.
To help your child find peace before going to sleep, try doing a bedtime yoga sequence and affirmation!
Move through the following 8 yoga poses as a family, speaking the delightful phrases out loud as you go. Finish up with the affirmation to ease into bedtime.
Bedtime Yoga Sequence
I stand like a mountain tall and steady
Mountain (tadasana)
I stretch out all the worries of my day
Side stretches
I fold down and flop, letting my worries go
Flopping (uttanasana)
I walk my hands forward to make a triangle shape,
(bend knees if necessary)
Dog (Adho Mukha svanasana)
I bend each knee and breathe
Walking dog
I come onto my hands and knees
All fours (bharmanasana)
I stretch out my leg (and the opposite hand)
Breathing and balancing
Fox (version of Vyaghrasana)
I curl down and become quiet and still like a little mouse
(Bring hands to rest by nose and feel the breath)
Child’s Pose (pindasana)
Affirmation
I breathe in loving kindness
And each and every day
I blow it out like bubbles for those
Who come my way….
For kindness is a blessing
And one that makes us strong
And sharing it with others
Will help us get along
About the Author
Christiane founded Calm For Kids in 1999. The organization is committed to giving teachers and parents the skills to enhance children’s development through yoga and mindfulness practice, enabling them to use their inner resources to face life’s challenges.
Read more from Christiane here: The Many Benefits of Yoga for Children
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