These exercises are for all mobile toddler classes and form the basis of the main part of yoga session. See later sections for moves to be added for toddlers that are walking.

Toddlers aged up until around 18 months- 2 years old will often need the assistance and guidance of a parent for these stretches.  Encouragement should always be given to the child to see if the can do the stretches where they can themselves.  Parent participation is a must! Caution: As with all yoga, apply a little pressure but never force and if toddler resists then leave it until they are ready.

Cat

On hands and knees, with them at the same distance apart, arch the back up bringing the head down. Encourage parents and toddlers to meow like a cat.

Cow

From the cat position, bring the back all the way down to dip in and lift the head. Encourage parents and toddlers to moo like a cow.

Happy Baby

Toddler to lay upon their backs lifting their legs towards their tummies, encourage their hands to hold feet.  They can even clap their feet together!

Wide Leg Stretch

Sitting with child’s spine to parent’s tummy, legs are apart in 30 degree angle.  Encourage child’s legs to same stance, hands raised in air we count to three, bringing hands down to touch the toes or legs comfortably and holding for 5 reaching back up.  Repeating 2-3 times for hamstring stretch and hip flexibility.

Seated Forward Fold

Sitting with child’s spine to parent’s tummy and child’s legs out in front, parent brings child into rocket arms and then encourages them to bend forward to touch their toes.

Mammy Butterfly

Starting in Wide Leg Stretch, lift one leg off the ground and lift baby’s leg at the same time. This is Mammy Butterfly.

Daddy Butterfly

Lift both legs at the same time for Daddy Butterfly. Encourage toddler to hold onto their toes.

Turtle Pose

From a wide leg stretch, bring the hands forward between the legs stretching out as far forward as comfortable. The idea is the back mimics the shape of the shell.  Only stretch to the resistance encouraging the head to come down to the floor as far as it can go.

Flower Pose

A fun pose in which the pose resembles a blooming flower. Children may need assistance depending on their age and stage of of development.  With toddler sitting in between parent’s legs, adopt a butterfly position with soles of feet together, scooping toddlers arms under their legs so they can hold them. You may have to hold them up and lift up their legs so that they are sat upon their buttocks.  Excellent to build up core strength, help balance and coordination, open the hips and chest.

Half Plough

Toddler laid on their backs with legs stretched out, raise one leg vertically and hold for a few seconds.  Placing leg down raise the opposite leg and repeat.  Can be held as 123 swap method. Can help with bowel movement and relieve constipation.  This method is the first steps to doing a full plough in yoga.

Plough

With child laid down and legs stretched out in front, raise both legs together holding around the calf area of the leg.  Raise the legs to about 90 degrees so vertical and then start to bring the feet towards the nose/head area, working with their resistance, when feeling any stop.  If the feet reach the head with ease, push a little further so the feet can be seen to go over the head.  Helps to maintain hip flexibility.

Seated Plough

Child is sat spine to parent’s chest with their feet stretched in front.  Parent hold legs or calf areas and brings the feet up to the head beeping on the nose or tries to get above the head.  Always work with toddler’s resistance.

Boat Pose

Similar stance to starting out in butterfly pose, child sits spine to parent’s chest in wide leg position.  Encourage child’s hands to stretch to hold feet and help lift them so child falls backward supported by your chest and tummy but still holding feet.  Progression is to eventually get child supporting their own weight.

King of the castle

Benefits: Giving an unstable surface for children to work on strengthens their core and so strengthens the legs and feet and gives body awareness. Also good for balance.

King of the Castle (shoulders)

This should always be done with teacher support or in a familiar group you could do it in partners.  Parents sit in second sitting or legs stretched out in front. The teacher should lift the child up onto the parent’s shoulders with the feet firmly planted on parent’s shoulders.  Parents should put their hands on the child’s feet so they stay in this place.  The teacher should ensure that the child’s legs are locked whilst still supporting them around the chest area.  Some children will bounce whilst in this position but most will eventually come to stand tall and lock their knees. Once the child is firmly steady you can then take your hands up to their arms, still supporting them along to their hands so they are standing in a star jump position.  If the child has very good balance you can hold one hand and often stand behind ensuring if they wobble you are behind for safety.  In older toddler classes, a progression should be made so they stand unaided in the 2-3 age group plus. Always stand behind and close to help in case child loses their balance. Good for body confidence and balance.