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!

5 Winter Yoga Poses Using a Chair

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.

chair yoga poses for kids | Kids Yoga Poses — Chair Child’s Pose

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.