Although the book was written and illustrated for children 4 to 8 years old, the delightful surprise about Watch Me Do Yoga is that it appeals to kids of all ages! Feedback coming in says that much younger children (toddlers and babies) are also enjoying it. My youngest “reader” is my great nephew nine month old Hayden, from New Zealand. He loves having Watch Me Do Yoga read to him. Here he is with his daddy completely absorbed in the story and the pictures.

Brittany from New Jersey sent these pictures. Brittany’s initial tweet announced that she had given her niece Hannah, who is fifteen months old, Watch Me Do Yoga for Christmas and that it was Hannah’s favorite! Hannah asks her mom Shelby and her aunt Brittany to read it to her “all the time.” If they are too busy to read to her, she “reads” it to herself!

Here is Ella, aged 7, who I met at a Thanksgiving party. We spent most of the afternoon doing yoga. Matsyasana (fish pose) was her favorite posture. At one point, Ella demanded that I call the entire gathering into the “yoga room” to watch her perform this pose. Kids love yoga. They also love being watched doing yoga!

Three little girls inspired the drawings for Watch Me Do Yoga:

Here is Mali (and also her Dad!) posing in their back yard. It was Mali who initially inspired me to write the book. She accompanied her Mom to a private yoga session with me — but she was not happy. She was bored. She wanted to go home. She didn’t want to play with the toys her mom had bought along to keep her occupied. She was quite vocal about her misery. Finally, I pulled her into the class and I taught her along side with her Mom. She was transformed. She had a blast! She did not want to go home. She protested! She wanted to stay and do more yoga. The idea for Watch Me Do Yoga was born.

Here is Simone. You can see her beautiful tortoise pose, next to my drawing. I couldn’t have drawn this picture (and some of the others in the book) without her.

Here is Simone again with my son Jake who I co-opted into modeling for the daddy character.

This is Lila who along with her Mom, posed for the swimming picture: “And then I’ll be a swimming fish with little brother Paul.”

More kids and their yoga.

Send in your “kids love yoga” photos and I will post them here.
Text and illustrations from Watch Me Do Yoga, copyright © 2010 by Bobby Clennell. Reprinted with permission of Rodmell Press. All rights reserved.

http://www.amazon.com/Watch-Me-Yoga-Bobby-Clennell/dp/1930485263/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290812907&sr=1-1

Kids love the bright images in picture books, stories they can identify with, and rhymes they can remember. And kids want to do things they have seen their parents do. Most of all, kids yearn for approval and attention, and what better way to come by it than Watch Me Do Yoga, a new illustrated book for kids by our own blogger, senior Iyengar teacher, Bobby Clennell.

Watch Me Do Yoga is a wonderful book to read with a wide range of ages. The book pulls you right in — it’s active from the start. The book celebrates yoga — with a few child-friendly poses — but also relishes the interaction a child has with its parents. In the book, a little girl tells us about her yoga practice as she does poses with her dad, her mom, the family dog, and sometimes alone on her mat. We see her in the garden, on the patio, in her bedroom, and even sitting on a gigantic lotus. She stands like a tree or a mountain and imitates the actions of animals — a fish, a dog, a lion, a tortoise. She celebrates her connection with the life around her and wants her parents (and us) to watch!

Bobby ‘s engaging text and lively illustrations encourage kids and their families to have fun reading together and practicing yoga together.
A great Xmas gift

Simple Twist promotes flexibility in the spine.

Medical Uses:

When the spine is rotated in this way, various problems relating to the spine such as arthritis of the lower back, dorsal region and shoulder joints, as well as sciatica can be corrected. Those who have heel pain or heel spurs are also helped by regular practice of Bharadvajasana.

1. Sit on two folded blankets in Dandasana (Staff Pose).
2. Slide over to the left edge of the blankets. Fold your legs to the left. Place your right shin across the upturned foot of the right foot.
3. Place your right hand on the blankets behind you and your left hand to the outer right thigh. Turn to the right.
4. Lift the whole trunk and rotate even further to the right. Turn your head to look over your left shoulder.

Head of the Knee Pose. Practice this pose to promote flexibility in the hip joints and relief from mental turmoil.

Medical Uses:

Practice Head of The Knee Pose (along with the other forward bends) to bring high blood pressure under control. Acidity, bronchitis, colitis, leg deformity, diabetes, kidney problems and prostate problems, can also be tackled by working intelligently and regularly in this pose.

1. Sit in Dandasana (Staff Pose). Bend your left knee to the side and place your left foot against your inner left thigh. Raise your arms.
2. Reach forward and hold your right foot. Curve your spine in and up.
3. Fold forward over your right leg. Place your head on your shin.

Practice Note:

If you are flexible turn your hands out and clasp the left wrist.

If you cannot clasp your feet hold a strap. To enable a quiet mental release, either support your head on a bolster placed across the legs, or rest your head on a chair.

Shoulderstand. This pose brings about inner peace and tranquility.

Medical Uses:

This pose strengthens the spine: Problems such as arthritis of the lower back, dorsal region and shoulder joints, general backache and displaced spinal discs, can all be dealt with if this pose is practiced regularly and correctly.

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of this pose is that it can help relieve the problems that beset many of us each winter such as, bronchitis, chest, chill, cold, cough and nasal catarrh. Learn this pose and stay away from antibiotics as much as possible. Asthma, tonsillitis, and (after medical treatment and rest) pleurisy and pneumonia, can also be brought under control with a practice that includes this pose.

Shoulderstand calms the brain like no other pose. For instance, this pose can be a wonderful tool for women going through menopause. Practice it along with Sirsasana to deal with memory loss, nervous debility and anxiety. It also helps to bring heart palpitations under control.

Other conditions that can be addressed by a balanced practice that contains
Shoulderstand: Acidity, anemia, appendicitis, low blood pressure, breathlessness, colic, colitis, constipation, diabetes, displacement of uterus, epilepsy, giddiness, (umbilical) hernia, (inguinal) hernia, impotency, indigestion, insomnia, kidney problems, swollen knees, lumbago, menstrual disorders, hemorrhoids, prostate problems, sciatica, duodenal ulcer and varicose veins.

1. Stack three blankets neatly, one on top of the other. Lay back over the blankets with your head on the floor and your shoulders two or three inches in from the (folded) edge. Bend your knees. Press your arms by your sides, palms facing down.
2. Roll your knees up over your chest.
3. Raise your hips. Support your back with your hands and place the tips of your toes on the floor above your head.
4. Clasp your hands behind your back and stretch your arms away from you. Come onto the tops of your shoulders.
5. Lift your spine. Hold for a few minutes at first

Practice Note:

Beginners should begin with the feet supported on a chair. When the pelvis can be held in line with the shoulders, and the back becomes strong, the feet can be lowered.

Upward Bow Pose stimulates the nervous and circulatory systems and tones the whole body.

Medical Uses:

Backbends work on the spine and chest. They help reduce general backache and can keep in check arthritis of the lower back, dorsal region and shoulder joints. Practiced regularly, they can also reverse hunchback.
Upward Bow helps those with asthma, breathlessness, bronchitis, chest, chill, cough and tonsillitis.

When included in a balanced practice, Urdhva Dhanurasana also brings relief for those with colitis, diabetes, tight hamstrings, (umbilical) hernia, impotency, kidney problems, lumbago, menstrual problems, hemorrhoids, prostate problems and a displaced and painful coccyx.

1. Lay on your back with your knees bent. Place your hands under your shoulders with your fingers facing your toes
2. Raise your pelvis. Raise your chest and place the crown of your head on the floor. Suck your shoulder blades and your back ribs firmly into your back. Don’t let your elbows swing out – they should be shoulder width apart.
3. Push down through your hands and feet and push up into the pose. Raise your heels and lift the trunk higher
4. Move your tailbone deep into your pelvis and place your heels on the floor.

Practice Note:

This pose is for intermediate students only. Learn the basics of yoga in a beginner’s class first so that your body is toned and strong before embarking on back bends such as this.

Before practicing back bends, warm up first with some standing poses. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward Facing Dog Pose) also works well to get the spine moving prior to backbends.

Head Stand counteracts tiredness, improves concentration and boosts self-confidence.

Medical Uses:

First and foremost, Headstand, when practiced correctly, oxygenates the brain and helps those with memory loss. When practiced incorrectly, it can damage the neck, so be sure to study with a qualified yoga teacher.

This pose strengthens the back; it helps those with arthritis of the lower back, dorsal region and shoulder joints as well as dealing with lumbago, sciatica, and general backache.

It also works on the legs; any experienced yoga practitioner who has had the misfortune of spraining a knee or an ankle knows how effective this pose is at bringing down a swelling or inflammation in these joints. Varicose veins, and coccyx pain and displacement can also be reduced.

Diseases of the respiratory system, lungs and heart such as palpitations, asthma, breathlessness, bronchitis, nasal catarrh, chills, cold and cough, and (after medical treatment and rest) pleurisy and pneumonia, can all be tackled by standing on your head.
Headstand also brings relief for those suffering from digestive problems; constipation, acidity, colic and colitis can all be ameliorated with this and other poses.

Always practice this pose regularly in equal measure with your shoulderstand.

It can also boost low blood pressure. Other conditions that greatly benefit from Headstand are diabetes, displaced uterus, epilepsy, umbilical hernia, inguinal hernia, impotency, anemia, appendicitis, insomnia, kidney problems, menstrual disorders, prostrate problems, tonsillitis and duodenal ulcer.

1. Start by practicing against a wall. Kneel down in front of a wall.Interlace your hands. Place your elbows a shoulder width apart on the floor and then place the outer edges of your interlaced hands on the floor, touching the wall. Place the crown of your head on the floor, inside your hands.
2. Raise your hips and straighten your legs. Pull your upper back away from the wall, press your forearms down and lift your shoulders away from the floor.
3. Come up, one leg at a time.
4. Place your feet but not your buttocks on the wall. To avoid compressing your neck, secure a strong base: continue raising your shoulders up and pressing your shoulder-blades in toward your st. Touch the inner edges of your feet together and stretch your legs up.
5. Gradually move away from the wall, a few inches at a time until you can balance without support. Don’t be in a hurry to do this. Work diligently and methodically to develop strength and balance.

Practice Note:

Sirsasana is not for beginners. Iyengar yoga teachers really are second to none when it comes to teaching inversions! Learn this in an Iyengar level II class. Until you are ready to begin learning headstand, practice Standing Wide Leg Forward Bend Pose (Prassarita Padottanasana).

Known as the half moon pose, this posture strengthens the legs and helps us develop poise and balance.

Medical Uses:

Along with some of the other standing poses, this asana reduces arthritis of the lower back, dorsal region and shoulder joints. It relieves backache and also benefits those with displaced spinal discs and sciatica. As with the other standing poses, Half Moon Pose strengthens weak or deformed legs, lengthens tight hamstrings, deals with knee problems and brings form to flat feet. Indigestion, kidney problems, acidity and bronchitis can also be helped.

1. Stand in TADASANA (Mountain Pose). With an inhalation, jump your feet to 3 1/2 ft apart and swing your arms out to your sides. Fully stretch your arms and legs. Turn your left foot in and your right foot out.
2. Exhaling, extend your trunk sideways to the right.
3. Hold your right shin bone and come into TRIKONASANA (Triangle Pose). Take a couple of normal breaths.
4. Bend your right knee and reach out to place your right hand on the floor 1ft. ahead of your right foot.
5. With an exhalation straighten your right leg and simultaneously raise your left leg to the level of your right hip. Keep both legs firm and straight. Raise your left arm. Look up. Breathe evenly and hold the pose for 20-30 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Practice Note:

If your hand does not reach the floor without your knee bending, place it on a block. You can also practice this pose with your back against the wall while you are learning to balance.

This is also known as the standing forward bend. Regular practice of this posture brings flexibility through the pelvis and spine. It also helps relieve mental strain and physical tiredness.
Medical Benefits:

Arthritis of the lower back can be relieved and even avoided altogether with regular practice of this pose. Mild spinal deformity can also be corrected, along with weak legs, knee problems and flat feet. Standing Forward Bend works to calm the brain and rest the heart. Practice it to take care of memory loss, insomnia, nervous debility, breathlessness and palpitations. This pose also helps with acidity, anemia, asthma, constipation, diabetes, umbilical hernia indigestion, kidney problems menstrual disorders, nasal catarrh, and (after medical treatment and rest) pleurisy and pneumonia.

1. Stand in TADASANA (Mountain Pose). Place your hands on your hips.
2. Draw your knees and thighs up and holding your legs firm, exhale and bend forward from the hips.
3. Reach down and place your hands on the floor beside your feet and look up. Take one or two breaths.
4. With an exhalation, extend your trunk down completely and allow your head to release toward the floor. To release further forward, lift your inner thighs up into the pelvis and lift your sit bones. Allow your breath to become quiet and even. Hold for 20-30 seconds.

Practice Note:

If your hands do not yet reach the floor, either fold your arms and hold your elbows or place your hands on blocks. Those with slipped discs should not practice the final pose where the head down.

Side Stretch Pose: To develop strength and stamina, and tone the waist and stomach muscles, practice this asana.

Medical Benefits:

Along with a sequence of standing poses, Side Stretch Pose strengthens the back and relieves general backache. It can help with various problems of the back and spine including, displacement of the spinal discs; arthritis of the lower back, dorsal spine and shoulders; lumbago, and sciatica. It also develops the chest and strengthens the legs. Include it in your practice to cure bronchitis, strengthen weak ankles and weak or deformed legs. It also deals with tight hamstrings, knee problems and flat feet. Other health problems that benefit from this pose: constipation, acidity, indigestion and kidney problems.

1. Stand in TADASANA (Mountain Pose). With an inhalation jump your feet to 3-1/2 ft. apart and swing your arms out ot the side. Fully stretch your arms and legs and raise your chest. Take a couple of breaths.
2. Turn your left foot in and your right foot out. Holding your left legs firm, exhale and bend your right knee to form a square, so that your shin is upright and your thigh is parallel to the floor. Place your right hand on the floor to the outside of your right foot.
3. Extend your left arm up. Move your tailbone in. Press your right knee back to align it above your right ankle.

   Anchor your left foot firmly to the floor and extend through your left hand. Feel the resulting stretch along your entire right side.

4. Stretch your arms over your ear and look up. Breathe evenly and hold the pose steadily for 20-30 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Practice Note:

Practicing with your back to the wall can help you achieve a good pose: press your right knee against your right arm and roll your left shoulder back toward the wall. If you cannot easily reach the floor with your hand, place it on a block.



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