Morning Yoga

About a year ago I started doing yoga. I needed some exercise that was low impact and wouldn't hurt my feet anymore than they were already hurting. I really didn't know what to expect - I thought you just laid on the floor and stretched. And we did. But we also worked really hard. I was so sore the next day it hurt to breathe. I had been swimming 80 laps daily for months before this so I thought I was in pretty good shape, but I soon discovered that yoga uses all your muscles, not just walking or step aerobic muscles. You really reach every muscle. It's amazing.
I've now been doing long enough that I know my favorite poses. I know my favorite online teachers. I usually just do my own practice in the peace and quiet of the morning. I'm not a pretty yoga person. I can't do the poses that you see in magazines. I'm not flexible. But, I do what works for me.
After waking up and seeing me doing yoga, Enoch and Kate decided they wanted to try it out. I though it would be a passing interest, so I would show them a few simple poses. They really enjoyed it. They would ask to do it a few time a day. I soon realized that I should be encouraging this and not brushing it aside. Now, it's a morning tradition that they won't let me out of!
I found some mats at Ross for $5 and got a blue one for Enoch and a pink one for Kate. I researched yoga for kids and came across these great cards on Amazon. The kids love them. We take turns picking a card from each color to put together a complete practice (breathing, stretching, balancing, back bends, forward bends). Of course, Enoch and Kate don't hold each pose for over a minute like we should, but it is suppose to be fun. They enjoy it and I hope we are fostering some good habits.
It's a great way to wake up to the day. Enoch and Kate love practicing on the back patio. The air is cool, the sun it just coming up, everyone it still happy. It's our special time. I love it. After a bad night with allergies, I slept in this morning and skipped my practice. When I got up at 6:20, this is what I found. Enoch and Kate were already up and ready for their practice (they are rolled up in the blanket).
Enoch and Kate demonstrating some of their favorite poses:

Warrior

Airplane

Rock

Chavasna