We've published the first children's yoga class on our YouTube channel , led by yoga teacher Ines – who loves introducing children to the world of yoga. She playfully demonstrates how we can greet the sun and the day with yoga, and what exciting yoga animals, like the snake, can be discovered along the way. To get to know Ines better, we interviewed her. In the class, she talks about her deep connection to nature, her first encounter with yoga, and what she loves about teaching children's yoga. Finally, Ines shares three simple tips for easily practicing yoga with your children at home. Be inspired by her warm personality and her enthusiasm for yoga and nature!
Who is Ines?
My name is Ines. Growing up in the Bregenzerwald, I felt a strong connection and love for nature from a very early age. It is my greatest teacher and source of inspiration for my work. Respect and appreciation for nature and people are very important to me. I have the privilege of accompanying people on their journey through life. I completed numerous training courses, including a qualification as a social worker, and for a long time I did this in an institutional setting. I have been self-employed for four years and passionately share my passion and knowledge of yoga, mediation, education, nature & yoga retreats, forest days for children, herbal workshops, and doula (pregnancy & postnatal care). I am currently on the journey to becoming a mother and am looking forward to this new beginning.
What was your first yoga encounter like?
Everything was new and unfamiliar, yet I already felt at home. I've always loved being active and am very athletic. But I was also very driven and wanted to do everything at once. My days were booked, and my to-do list was always full. I tried yoga to stretch and unwind a bit. After my first few yoga classes, I noticed how my "drivenness" subsided—that I was more aware of myself and felt lighter. From then on, the yoga path stuck with me.
How did you get into teaching children's yoga? Why do you enjoy it so much? Is it sometimes tiring and chaotic when so many children are together?
Through my work as a kindergarten and after-school teacher and social worker, I am familiar with working with children and families, and it was easy for me to integrate yoga into this context. I noticed that children seek peace and relaxation in their often hectic daily lives. Even lively children can benefit greatly from yoga under gentle guidance.
My classes offer children the opportunity to develop a good sense of themselves and to be in a pressure-free space. Even if it's chaotic and stressful at times, that's part of life. As a yoga teacher, the children reflect a lot back to me, and I find it important to be honest and authentic and to incorporate this reflection into the class. I'm especially pleased to see the children's shining eyes and their smiles when they realize they're being noticed and can proudly show off their progress.
"A child is like a butterfly in the wind. Some fly higher than others, but all fly as best as they can. They shouldn't compete, because everyone is different, everyone is special, and everyone is beautiful." – Author Unknown
What are the benefits of yoga for children?
While adults primarily practice yoga to let go of everyday life, children’s yoga supports children in their holistic development:
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You develop a better sense of yourself and your body.
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Shy children learn to express their feelings and ideas, while active children find inner peace.
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Yoga supports healthy posture and increases flexibility.
- The children experience learning with all their senses, find their own rhythm, learn about their limits and experience personal success.
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This strengthens self-esteem, concentration and promotes fair, social interaction.
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And most importantly: Yoga brings joy and fun to exercise?
What yoga props do you like to incorporate into your children’s yoga classes?
I like to incorporate natural materials like chestnuts, flowers, and wood into my yoga classes. Many great ideas also come from the children, and I always make room for them. I also like to use scents like scented pillows or suitable essential oils for children, as well as instruments like singing bowls or handpans. For the children's yoga class, I also used the hejhej eyepillow during a breathing exercise, placing it on the children's stomachs – the gentle pressure of the pillow helps them become more aware and intensely aware of their own breathing.
Finally, can you give us three tips on how to easily practice children's yoga at home?
1. Create a welcoming atmosphere:
Set up a cozy yoga space with mats, a singing bowl, candles, or stuffed animals. Personalize the environment so that both you and your child feel comfortable.
2. Use recurring rituals:
Establish a fixed beginning and ending ritual, such as the gesture and word "Namaste." With your hands in front of your heart, stand upright in a yoga position and greet each other: "Namaste, I see the special in me and in you."
3. Use children's yoga cards for inspiration:
Print out child-friendly yoga exercises, often featuring animals or other images. Place these cards in your yoga space—the children's curiosity will motivate them to try the exercises. We recommend the card set by Sibylle Schöppel , which also includes a small book with detailed exercises and game ideas.
Dear Ines, thank you very much for the lovely interview and the tips!
If you're interested in trying kids' yoga with your child at home, check out our video with Ines. She'll guide you through a playful 15-minute yoga class that's perfect for little yoginis. If you want to practice on a mat with your child, our limited-edition hejhej-mat XXL, with its length of 2.30 meters, is ideal. It offers enough space to explore the exercises together in a playful way.
We hope you enjoy it!
