Animal yoga poses are gentle yoga shapes named after animals, so children can roar like a lion, flutter like a butterfly and sway like a tree while they stretch and strengthen their bodies. At Anand Yoga Centre in Kolathur we group them into a playful pose zoo by habitat, with friendly Sanskrit nicknames and animal sounds. Many children find these shapes calming as well as fun, and they are safe and simple to try at home.
Big, brave animals to wake up the body, with sounds to match.
Sit tall, take a big breath in, then open the mouth wide and let out a great roar. A silly, happy way to release any grumpy feelings.
Clasp the hands to make a long trunk and swing it gently from side to side, swaying the whole body. Calming and lovely for loosening up.
On hands and knees, reach one leg back like a tiger's tail, then curl it in slowly. A gentle stretch that wakes up the back.
Little creatures who flutter, buzz and hop.
Sit with the soles of the feet together and let the knees flutter up and down like soft wings. A calming shape that opens the hips.
See the pose →Breathe in, then hum like a buzzing bee on the way out. The gentle buzz feels soothing and a little bit ticklish.
Crouch down low like a frog, then give a small, soft hop. Lots of fun for wiggling out extra energy.
See the pose →Lie on the tummy, press gently into the hands and lift the chest just a little like a baby cobra, then hiss. We stay low and gentle, never a deep lift.
See the pose →Watery friends for balance and rest.
Stand tall and balance on one leg like a pink flamingo, with arms out like wings. Wobbling is part of the fun.
Rest back gently with a soft lift of the chest, opening up like a fish in the water. We keep it light and easy.
See the pose →Lie down on the tummy and rest the head on stacked hands, still as a crocodile sunbathing. A lovely quiet pose to slow down.
Friendly everyday animals and a sturdy tree.
On hands and knees, round the back and meow like a cat, then dip it down and moo like a cow. Gentle and great for a sleepy spine.
See the pose →Make an upside-down V with the body and give a happy woof. A favourite stretch for the whole back of the legs.
See the pose →Stand tall, rest one foot against the other leg and sway softly like a tree in the breeze. Wonderful for balance and feeling steady.
See the pose →Animal poses help children stretch and strengthen, and many find them calming too. We keep to baby cobra and gentle shapes only, with no deep backbends, short holds and lots of fun, never any forcing or comparing.
Fun yoga games for kids: Freeze Yoga, Yogi Says, Yoga Hopscotch and more. Wiggle-out and calm-down games to play at home, from Anand Yoga Centre, Kolathur.
Play more →Fun breathing games for children: balloon belly, bee breath, bunny and hot-cocoa breath. Simple ways to help kids feel calm, from Anand Yoga Centre, Kolathur.
Play more →A narrated jungle safari yoga story for children: meet an elephant, tiptoe past a tiger, cross the river and climb a tree. From Anand Yoga Centre, Kolathur.
Play more →Reviewed by Sailaja Anand, yoga teacher at Anand Yoga Centre, Kolathur. Last updated 2026-06-15.
WhatsApp +91 86101 62435 about Little Yogis (ages 4 to 7) or Junior Yogis (ages 8 to 12). Small, safe batches.
