Press PLAY to listen to this post.

Teaching kids about Diwali through yoga can be a fun and meaningful way to connect them with the cultural aspects of the festival while keeping them active. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

Here’s how you can integrate Diwali into a kids' yoga class:

1. Begin with the Story of Diwali

Start the yoga session with a kid-friendly retelling of the Diwali story. Focus on the victory of good over evil, using the story of Rama and Sita and how the people lit diyas (oil lamps) to celebrate their return and banish the darkness.

• Rama's Journey: Start with Mountain Pose (Tadasana) to symbolize the beginning of Rama’s journey.
• Crossing the Forest: Use Tree Pose (Vrksasana) as Rama navigates through the forest.
• Meeting Hanuman: Move into Monkey Pose (Uttanasana), representing Hanuman’s leaps to help Rama.
• Perform Warrior Poses (Virabhadrasana II) to represent the battle between Rama and Ravana.
• Victory and Return: Conclude with Candle Pose or Boat Pose to symbolize the lighting of lamps as Rama returns victorious.

2. Mindfulness Through Light and Gratitude

Diwali is the Festival of Lights, so focus on bringing light into your yoga session:

• "Shining Star Pose": Have kids come into Star Pose (wide-legged stance with arms out) and encourage them to shine bright like a star or a diya, imagining they’re lighting up the world with kindness.

Diwali is a time for reflection, gratitude, and renewal. Introduce mindfulness practices that align with these themes:

• "Pass the Light": Sit the children in a circle, and have them pass a small object that represents a diya (a glowing ball, candle, or light). As each child passes the "light," they say something they’re grateful for.

3. End with Relaxation and Reflection

Finish the class with a peaceful relaxation session:

• Guided Relaxation: Lead the kids through a relaxation where they imagine themselves walking through a beautifully lit street filled with glowing lamps. Encourage them to feel peaceful, safe, and happy.

By weaving the cultural themes of Diwali into a yoga session, you can make the class fun, meaningful, and memorable for children. They'll not only learn about yoga but also connect with the values of light, gratitude, and kindness, which are central to the Diwali celebration.

You can learn more kids yoga themes in our training accredited by Yoga Alliance. Join the waitlist and be the first to know when enrollment opens in January each year.