“When I feel small in a world so big,
I close my eyes
and make room in my mind,
in my heart,
to create and imagine.
I am Yoga.”
I discovered I Am Yoga recently, and couldn’t wait to share this beautiful, simple yet profound book that encourages self-expression, imagination and creativity, as children explore the world of yoga. Soothing, expressive watercolors enhance the sense of calm and mindfulness. This story is of a girl who feels small in our big world. She discovers and practices yoga, which calms her mind and body and helps her feel at peace, that she can fit in, that she can be anything. Each page brings a new, beautiful illustration of a young girl doing a yoga pose to help her feel calm and whole.
I Am Yoga is the perfect complement to my preschool, pre-K and early elementary beginner yoga classes. As we sit in a circle, the children love to listen to the story and practice the poses as I read along. Although targeted for ages 4-8, this beginner yoga book is for all ages. Parents, this is a wonderful book to share with your young children. Susan Verde, author and children’s yoga instructor, has included a wonderful illustrated pose index in the back of the book that includes the Sanskrit name for each pose and detailed how-to instructions to come into the pose. Love this!!
This is Maddie’s favorite page because it is pink, but she loves to practice Warrior I and II and Reverse Warrior. She is learning the accompanying words “I can stand up for me, I can stand up for others, I can stand up for peace.” Big words for a little girl. I enjoy reading this beautiful, simple yoga book with Maddie and practicing poses with her as her imagination soars.
Peter H. Reynold’s playful illustrations of yoga poses encourages children, that with a little imagination, anything is possible:
I can soar among the clouds, I am so free.
I can dance with the moon. I light up the night.
I can see far and wide. I am focused.
He has illustrated many very popular children’s books, including ish, the Dot and The North Star. He lives in Dedham and operates the Blue Bunny Books and Toys!
Yoga has the power of transformation, linking breath, physical exercise and relaxation, to help build resiliency, promote self-esteem, a healthy body and a calm and confident mind. Kid’s yoga, with all its components, can provide tools for helping children manage a world that often feels too big to handle.
Susan Verde is an educator, parent and a kid’s yoga teacher. She is also the author of The Museum and You and Me, both illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Her hope in offering this playful story for children is that
“as they read, play, imagine, explore, express themselves, and breathe, they can know that whoever they are, however they are in this big world, they can fit in just fine.”
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