Using Yoga With Students

I'm reading a book right now on brain research and one of the recommendations (and I think most teachers instinctively know this) is to take brain breaks. It's such a long day for them, especially because at our school, we don't do nap or snack daily-the only breaks they have are recess and lunch. I want to use yoga next year for the stretching exercises and then also incorporate it into a reading station. There will be a mat and directions they can easily read/pics to illustrate the movements.

Now, I'm personally more of a pilates girl myself. I've never found much solace in an actual yoga class. But I do think I know enough to be able to demonstrate. I think too, it may help with those kids who just don't know how to relax. I can't imagine being so stressed and angry at age 5, but I see that in  more and more students every year.  Maybe particularly the breathing techniques will help a child be able to calm down.

I found this resource that I might invest in, I particularly like the poster: http://www.abcyogaforkids.com/

This book looked good too.

Blogs about using yoga in the classroom: http://yogainmyschool.com/ and http://omazingkidsllc.com/

Some ideas to use it with literature: http://pinterest.com/yogainmyschool/books-for-kids-yoga/ (love the Brown Bear, Brown Bear idea).

And of course, lots of youtube tutorials:



Does anyone already use yoga with their kids? Does it help?