I’ve always appreciated that Vidur’s school has yoga for kids in its curriculum. It is not optional. It appears as a subject in their report cards and they are graded for it. Their yoga teacher also insists that they all go through breathing exercises during the school assembly every morning before they sing the National Anthem. It is lovely to hear all the children going “Om” and the entire exercise takes about ten minutes.
The ABCs of Yoga for Kids by Teresa Power
And so, when I came across the book “The ABCs of Yoga for Kids” by Teresa Power on Netgalley, I requested it. I was eager to read it. I was delighted when I downloaded it and enjoyed it thoroughly. I know I am writing this book review upside down, but the book appealed to me immensely and the reasons are:
- I enjoy sketching and I especially love the illustration style in the book
- Yoga is one of the pleasantest ways to encourage healthy activity in kids
- It is a wonderful way for parents to combine their fitness regime with their kids
- The book is conceptually sound – yoga for kids has proven, and lifelong health benefits
- From personal experience I know that yoga for kids develops healthy eating habits and most important, the habit of exercise and fitness
- With yoga, age and athletic ability are no bar. People of all ages can do it together
- Yoga brings serenity, and is a great way to relieve stress
- No special equipment is required except maybe a mat – we just use one large rug on the floor
- Yoga is refreshing and a gift from my ancestors.
Oh yes, I recommend “The ABCs of Yoga for Kids” by Teresa Power
About the book
Authored by Teresa Power, The ABCs of Yoga for Kids (ISBN9780982258705) is a 32 page hardcover book with 57 full-color illustrations by Kathleen Rietz and introduces young kids to yoga in a fun and friendly way.
In the internet age where most parents complain about their kids spending a lot of time in front of the television or computer screen, the book is a welcome method to distract them away from becoming couch potatoes. It not only helps incorporate healthy activity into their lives – it also inspires them to make it a daily habit.
The 56 yoga poses covered in the book are accompanied by descriptions in verse form to promote flexibility, strength, and coordination.There are poses for each letter of the alphabet.
Frog Pose
Squatting with my feet apart wide
I am a frog
with a big underside.
Bringing my arms inside my knees
I jump up and say,
“r-r-r-r-i-b-b-i-t!”
on the count of three.
Swan Pose
I am a beautiful swan.
My neck is graceful and long.
Starting on my belly,
I straighten my arms
and bend my knees
Folding myself backwards,
but only as far as I please.
I aim the top of
my head toward my toes,
Arching just as far
as my back naturally goes.
To be healthy, children must be active. The statistics on childhood obesity are scary and yoga for kids helps avoid being overweight. It protects from lifestyle diseases like stress and diabetes which are usually a result of inactivity and a poor diet.
Yoga for kids will cultivate good habits and build a foundation for well-being. Through this book, children will enjoy learning new positions, new letters, and new ideas. For the young yogi, this book can be 100% motivation.
Here’s a lovely video that gives you a glimpse of what the book is like:
What is unique about this book?
In one word – the illustrations. Then, the description of each yoga pose in verse. What a fun way to teach yoga for kids. It also calms them down in a pleasant way.
Who can use this book?
- I just raised my hand because the wonderful thing about yoga is: Age is no bar. There’s a pose for all learning and professional levels.
- Children – they’ll love learning yoga with this book
- School libraries can benefit – what better way to teach good habits than through illustrated books in peer groups
- Teachers can use it as a teaching aid
- It makes a great gift, one that parents and children will treasure forever.
- Read it with your kids, and practice it with them
Healthy mind, healthy body!
I’ve been following the fun illustrations in the book to stick to my own yoga practice. So what if I am not a kid?
For coloring books, learning cards, posters and other fun merchandise, visit the book’s website The poster is especially awesome!
About the author, Teresa Power
Teresa Anne Power is a children’s health and fitness expert, focusing on the whole child. She has practiced yoga for over 28 years, and for the past ten years has taught yoga to children, both in schools and local organizations. Teresa also conducts children’s yoga teacher training workshops at numerous childcare resource centers to help children from all walks of life be exposed to the health benefits of yoga and proper nutrition. She is a member of the Society of Book Writers and Illustrators, The Independent Book Publishers Association, USA Yoga, and writes articles about children’s health and fitness for examiner.com.
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Disclosure:
1.When you use this link to buy, I’ll earn a commission as an Amazon affiliate which will be donated to charity. Thank you.
2. I received a preview of this ebook from Netgalley.com
Oh this looks like a delightful and most useful book, Vidya. And you’ve done a brilliant job on the review.
Off to see if I can snag a copy! 😉
That’s very delightful. I am doing yoga for the past two years and enjoying it as an exercise for healthy living.
Cheerz
Hi Vidya
I ve been doing youga for more than a year reagularly now.And it helps a lot to keep fit and flexible.
I wake up early morning for doing yoga.Good that Vidur is learning the ropes early.
Thanks
Mona
This looks like the coolest book ever!!! I would love to have a copy. I will have to see if I can get my hands on one here in the US. Thanks for the lovely review. I think my favorite pose of all that you shared here is the “Do Nothing” pose! Not only do I think I can do that one, I know I would be able to get back up after doing it! LOL Delightful book! ♥
I know two little sprites who’ll be receiving this book very soon, if I can get my hands on it! It looks wonderful Vidya. Thanks for sharing.
I’m gonna get this book. I’ve been wanting to get into yoga for so long and I need the primer. 🙂 Thanks, Vidya.
What a delightful way to inculcate the good habit of exercise in children. Very nice!
I like the idea of having books for kids such as this. because it is important to induct them at an early stage into healthy ways of life. And of course the book’s illustrations seem so much more interactive.
This sounds like such a wonderful book and the illustrations are so beautiful. I am going to see if I can pick up a copy via Amazon.com. Thanks for sharing!
I love that Vidur’s school has yoga as a core subject – WOW! How are they graded though?
I spent a long while looking for good yoga kids book a couple of years ago when my daughter insisted on joining me in my daily yoga sessions. In the end, my own yoga teacher recommended Yoga for Children (A Complete Illustrated Guide) and while it wasn’t very well reviewed on Amazon, it stories behind the asanas have made it really interesting reading.
I will definitely be looking at the one that you’ve recommended – love friendliness and colours in it.
Thanks Vidya
Thanks for the review- love the illustrations and will be wonderful for my neices. xx
Maybe it can even teach an old adult a few moves…great review!
One thing I have realized from my own life is that a habit of yoga, meditation and exercise should be inculcated in early childhood.. it will go a long way. Glad Vidur has Yoga in school.. I wish most schools would encourage it..and to think someone wrote a book in it.. amazing 🙂
What a fun yoga book. thanks for sharing. I think all schools should have yoga as part of the curriculum.
What a beautiful book, Vidya! I wish Yoga was required in our schools. I think we would have a lot less anxious students. And maybe, just maybe, it would aid in our shooting in schools problems.
Thanks for sharing this book!
xoxo
Betsy
It’s good that children are learning yoga at an early age. I’d sure like to learn.
Looks like a wonderful book, Vidya. Yoga is something that would really benefit kids to learn early in life. Learning to focus and to be in the present moment will get them off to a good start. Thanks for sharing this book!!
This looks so cool!
This is my kind of Yoga! I Like!
Love you more than 8 tigers in deep white snow in Minnesota. Xxxx
Wow!! Its really good book for children’s guidance of yoga. It looks great and also so attractive and colorful book. Its really helpful for those children who want to stay fit and healthy. Thanks for sharing this.
Seems like a very interesting book. I think I could benefit from a book like this.
Great review my grandchildren will love this book! Thank you!!
A great review and seems it would be an interesting yoga book for kids! The design of the cover looks outstanding. By the way, I appreciate you for the amazing writing.
Seems appealing, will recommend them to known folks to get insight of it. Thanks for sharing this piece of work.