5 Winter Yoga Poses Using a Chair

Welcome to the first post in our chair yoga ideas for kids series – this month’s theme is winter yoga poses!

With my daughter in Kindergarten, I am reminded again about being a primary school teacher and the importance of integrating movement into the students’ learning experiences. I’m hoping this year-long series will help to bring yoga into your life in a fun, creative, and easy way.

Each month, we’ll include five chair yoga poses inspired by a particular theme, along with a recommended yoga book for kids. This month’s theme is “winter.” These five winter yoga poses could be done:

during a transition time in the classroom
during a subject change in your homeschool classroom
at home when you’re stuck indoors
when you would like to practice yoga in a small space

Imagine that you’re going on a winter walk and think about the things you’ll see and do along the trip. Today, we’re going to pretend to be trees, birds, waterfalls, and deer. We’ll end our movement break session by pretending to the listen to the wind. Clear the space, practice barefoot, grab a chair, and unleash your imagination!

1. TREE POSE – Pretend to be a tree. Come to sitting next to your chair. Holding on to the chair with one hand, shift your weight and balance onto one leg. Bend the knee of the leg you are not standing on, place the sole of your foot on the opposite inner thigh or calf, and balance. Sway like a tree in the breeze. Switch sides and repeat the steps.
2. WARRIOR 3 POSE – Pretend to be a cardinal. Stand on one leg with your arms straight out in front of you, holding the back of the chair. Extend the other leg behind you, flexing your foot. Bend your torso forward. Pretend you are flying through the sky like a cardinal on a sunny winter day. Switch sides and repeat the steps.
3. CHILD’S POSE – Pretend to be a waterfall. Sit back on your chair, slowly bend your upper body to rest on your thighs, rest your arms down towards the floor, and take a few deep breaths. Pretend to be an icy waterfall at the edge of the lake.
4. SEATED TWIST – Pretend to be a deer. Sit upright in your chair. Check that your spine is straight and your feet are flat on the ground. Twist your upper body to the right. Take your left hand to your right knee and your right hand back behind the chair. Pretend to be a deer sitting in a meadow. Repeat on the other side.
5. HERO POSE – Pretend to listen to the wind. Come to rest upright on your seat with your palms resting on your knees. Close your eyes (if that’s comfortable) and pretend to listen to the wind. Breathe deeply.

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Winter Chair Yoga Poses for Kids

Winter Yoga Book for Kids: Jenny’s Winter Walk

Act out what you might see and hear on a winter walk!

Join Jenny as she meets various animals on a winter walk with her mom. Be a squirrel, a fox, and a bunny. Discover winter, explore movement, and learn the five senses. This winter yoga book includes a list of yoga poses for kids and a parent-teacher guide. Ages 3+.

Nicole says, “This is a cute story about a mother and daughter adventure on a winter walk. I read it with my three year old who has loved all of Ms. Shardlow’s books. She loved finding the poses on each page and doing them herself. I think the story line gives a great idea of something any daughter can do with their mother. The pictures were colorful and inviting. We enjoyed this book!”

Jenny's Winter Walk yoga book by Giselle Shardlow of Kids Yoga Stories

Jenny's Winter Walk by Kids Yoga Stories

Jenny's Winter Walk by Giselle Shardlow, Kids Yoga Stories

Images from Jenny’s Winter Walk

Download 40 Kid-Friendly Chair Yoga Pose PNG Images

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Collection of Chair Yoga Ideas for Kids

If you found this chair yoga post useful, check out our list of other chair yoga ideas for kids:

Chair Yoga Ideas for Kids

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