Chinese New Year yoga poses to ring in the New Year.

How can you not love a holiday that encourages handing out oranges instead of treats? I am sure there are treats involved somewhere but when I heard about bringing oranges as hostess gifts I was hooked.

This is the first year I taught this as a class theme and it was such a success that it will be a new favourite for years to come. Chinese New Year has so many great traditions that are perfect to act out with youngsters with yoga poses.

Chinese New Year Yoga Poses

• Start off with a Greeting of “Ni Hao” (Hello in Chinese) and the tradition Chinese New Years Greeting of “Kung Hei Fat Choi” – Great to do in Talking Turtle Pose.

• Did you know it takes about 12 hours to fly to China from Canada – so hold your Airplane Pose (otherwise known as Flamingo Pose) while you count to 12 – on each side!

The yearly animals are:

Horse – Rocking Horse Pose (YogaKids)

Dragon – Dragon and Twisted Dragon Poses (Yoga Pretzels) and Breathe of Fire

Tiger – Cat Pose with Lion Pose roar.

Snake – Snake / Cobra Pose

Rooster – Rooster Pose – Yoga Kids (this one is not in the YogaKids toolbox)  Involves clasping your hands behind you and strutting around your mat.  Don’t forget to add in the rooster call.

Dog – Downward Dog Pose

Sheep – I like to use a neutral cat / cow with sheep like baa’s.

Ox – Cow pose – what does on Ox sound like?

Rat – Mouse Pose – childs pose with squeaks…

Rabbit – Bunny Breath with a few hops for fun.

Monkey – Bug Picking Chimp Pose (also YogaKids, not on the cards)  From squatting “walk” with your knuckles on the ground and make monkey/chimp sounds.

Pig – There are two possibilities for this one.  From neutral cat/cow bend elbows and snuffle and oink or lie on your back and roll your knees to from side to side and wallow in the mud.

To end your celebration:

Fireworks – Volcano Pose (YogaKids)