As children go back to school after their summer break and as their block tests approach, we thought it was very important for their body and mind to practise a few asanas on International Yoga Day. So we curated a list of books which we hope will make the children do a little yoga every day.
Growing with Yoga
by Rama and Aditi Chandrasekhar; illustrated by Niveditha Subramaniam
A playful early introduction to yoga. Young ones can turn into a thunderbolt, a dog, a yawning lion, even a snake!
As one pose flows into another through lively verse and pictures, children get a feel of what their bodies can do, comfortably and joyfully.
Toddlers can become a lion with the simhasan, and with the bhujangasan, they can arch their back and rear themselves up like a snake!
This book shows that young children can practise asanas in many ways, by moving fast or taking it slow and staying in the posture as they continue to breathe.
Just make sure that their belly is not full.
There is a special section in the last few pages on how to strike a pose.
All the asanas from vajrasana, chakravakasana, matsyasana, baddha konasana, and many more yoga movements are explained by yoga therapists Rama and Aditi through play.
The illustrations in the book are sure to tempt your four-year-old to catch the yoga bug.
Global Little Yogis
by Barkha Sharma
The author has playfully described 30 asanas with the aim of igniting a spark in every child to embrace yoga.
There is an element of mythology in this book, with classical music and knowledge of spirited animals, flowers, and trees.
The surya namaskar or sun salutation is paired with the sunflower, which symbolises bountifulness, beauty, and optimism. Sunflowers are regarded as a good luck charm, resembling the sun’s divine light.
Parvatasana, or the mountain pose, is paired with the snow leopard since the animal portrays determination, self-reliance, intuition, and confidence. Symbolising keen observation, they also portray that beautiful things don’t seek attention.
Mudras benefit while sitting in a yogic posture. For the children who want to perfect their mudras, there is a special how-to-do section of 10 mudras explained with benefits.
The three elements of food in yoga are sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic, explains the author, while trying out some fun and healthy recipes.
The book is inspired by the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam from the Maha Upanishad, meaning the world is one family.
Peppa Loves Yoga
It has been a very busy morning at the playgroup. Peppa and her friends have been playing their instruments, dressing up in fancy clothes, and making the messiest crafts!
Peppa asks Madame Gazelle what they are going to do next. Madame Gazelle has a special surprise for the children, and she reveals to them that Miss Rabbit is coming to do some yoga. The children are excited and say: “Hooray!”
Rebecca Rabbit wants to know more about Yoga. When Miss Rabbit comes, the children jump up and down excitedly. Miss Rabbit puts her hands together and bows slowly. The children stop jumping and bow slowly towards Miss Rabbit.
Peppa and her friends sit on their mats, touch their fingers and thumbs together, and close their eyes. Everyone breathes slowly through their noses as instructed by Miss Rabbit, after which they try the tree pose. The children stand on one leg and try to be as still as a tree! Next is the warrior pose and the cobra pose.
The children now rest, and when it’s time to go home, they are fast asleep!
Peppa, her friends, and teachers love Yoga! And so does Daddy pig!
An enjoyable read aloud for ages two to four.
I Love Yoga
by Anita Raina Thapan; illustrated by Alankrita
This book opens the door to the joys of relaxation, concentration, and visualisation through movement, rhyme, and breathing.
The many yoga asanas connect children to the world of nature, which makes life so beautiful. There are many things that birds, plants, and animals can teach us. Be silent, look carefully, listen attentively, and you will be happy.
Beautifully illustrated by Alankrita, the book is a visual delight for your five-year-old.
The Yoga Sutras for Children
by Roopa Pai; illustrated by Sayan Mukherjee
The Yoga Sutras are an ancient Indian text written about 2000 years ago by a wise sage called Maharishi Patanjali.
We know of 195 to 196 sutras, and they are difficult to understand, so it’s best to read along with the commentary.
The first four sutras actually tell us everything that we need to know.
It is very compact and cryptic. In fact very few people know about the Yoga Sutras.
Roopa, in her earlier online sessions, said that Yoga Sutras teaches us how to become mind control ninjas!
She has very simply explained that only when you keep your mind calm and are not burning with emotions, you feel calm and good, and are able to achieve your goals. She calls that the ‘stilling of the churning of the chitta’.
According to Maharishi Patanjali, we can examine our thoughts into four different ‘thought buckets’
1. Pramana or Right Knowledge
2. Viparyaya or Wrong Knowledge
3. Vikalpa or Fantasy and imagination
4. Smriti or Memories
5. Nidra or Deep Sleep (the absence of thought)
We should soak up what is right, maximise the Pramana and expel the fantasy or memory (past) from our thoughts to concentrate on the job at hand.
Another very easy-to-follow concept explained in the book is Maharishi Patanjali’s atha. The first word of the Yoga Sutra is a loud and clear call to do something now. Now is the opposite of procrastination, laziness, and a reluctance to commit. Now is the first step of a disciplined life.
Very simple and easy tips have been given to students in the book.
Roopa says that The Yoga Sutras is a practical workbook to accompany the theory lessons of the Gita, Vedas, and Upanishads.
Recommended reading: 13 years and above
Yoga is a simple word in Sanskrit, but there is so much it can do. It brings together our body, mind and breath. It is also a unique opportunity for parents to bond with their children.
The author is founder, Storyteller Bookstore, Ballygunge and
Picnic Garden