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Sun salutation

Surya Namaskar for kidsgood morning, sun

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Ages 4 to 12Fun-firstMorning energiser
Surya Namaskar for Kids for children at Anand Yoga Centre, Kolathur

Surya Namaskar for kids is a playful Good Morning, Sun version of the classic sun salutation, where each step becomes a friendly action. At Anand Yoga Centre in Kolathur we turn it into a happy flowing game, reaching up to the sky, folding to touch the toes, and woofing in downward dog. Many children find it a cheerful, energising way to start the day. It is a gentle, fun warm-up, not a cure for anything.

How the sun salutation becomes a game

Each classic step turns into a friendly action with a sound or a wiggle.

A flowing hello to the sun

Surya Namaskar means a salute to the sun, and we move through it like a happy morning dance to greet the day.

Animals and actions

A runner's lunge, a caterpillar plank, a hissing baby cobra and a woofing dog turn each step into play.

The grown-up guide

Want the proper steps and alignment for the classic version? Here is the full sun salutation guide for grown-ups.

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The salute begins, step by step

Move slowly and happily through each friendly action, one breath at a time.

Stand tall and say hello

Stand at the top of the mat, press the palms together at the heart, and say a bright Good morning, Sun.

Reach up to the sky

Stretch both arms high and grow tall, reaching all the way up to that big warm sun.

Fold down to your toes

Fold forward like a floppy rag doll and reach gently down towards your toes.

Step back like a runner

Step one foot back into a long runner's lunge, looking forward ready to race.

Strong plank caterpillar

Step the other foot back and hold a strong, straight plank like a long, stretchy caterpillar.

Rise back up to greet the sun

Now we make our way gently back up to standing and thank the sun.

Lower down gently

Slowly lower the knees and body down to the mat, soft and controlled like melting snow.

Baby Cobra with a hiss

Lift the chest into a little baby Cobra and give a friendly hiss like a happy snake.

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Downward Dog with a woof

Press up into downward dog, an upside-down V, and give a cheerful woof.

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Step up and reach to the sun

Step the feet back to the top, rise up and reach to the sky once more to thank the sun.

A calm breath to finish

Bring the palms back to the heart and take one slow, happy breath to end your morning sun salute.

Try it together

Good morning, Sun, step by step

  1. 1Stand tall and say hello: palms at the heart, a bright Good morning, Sun.
  2. 2Reach up to the sky: stretch both arms high and grow tall.
  3. 3Fold down to your toes: fold forward like a floppy rag doll.
  4. 4Step back like a runner: step one foot back into a long runner's lunge.
  5. 5Strong plank caterpillar: step the other foot back and hold a straight plank.
  6. 6Lower down gently: melt the body softly down to the mat.
  7. 7Baby Cobra with a hiss: lift the chest into a little cobra and hiss like a happy snake.
  8. 8Downward Dog with a woof: press up into an upside-down V and woof.
  9. 9Step up and reach to the sun: rise up and reach to the sky once more.
  10. 10A calm breath to finish: palms at the heart, one slow happy breath.
Keeping it safe and happy

Keep it gentle and happy, with only a baby cobra and no deep backbends, headstands or forcing. It is a cheerful, energising way to start the morning, a fun warm-up rather than a cure for anything.

More playful yoga

Keep the fun going

Animal Yoga Poses for Kids

A playful pose zoo of animal yoga for kids: roar like a lion, hiss like a baby cobra, sway like a tree. Fun, gentle poses from Anand Yoga Centre, Kolathur.

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Yoga Games for Kids

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.

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Jungle Safari Yoga Adventure

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.

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Questions

Surya Namaskar for Kids: parents' questions

Can children do Surya Namaskar?
Yes, in a gentle, playful version with friendly actions and only a baby cobra. We keep the movements soft and fun, with no deep backbends or forcing. Turning it into a Good morning, Sun game makes it something children look forward to.
What age can children start Surya Namaskar?
From around age four with our playful version, which uses sounds and animal actions. Our Little Yogis (ages 4 to 7) flow slowly through it, while Junior Yogis (ages 8 to 12) can add a few more rounds.
How many rounds should a child do?
Just one to three slow, happy rounds is plenty for children, with rest whenever they need it. It is about enjoying the movement, not counting high numbers.
What does Surya Namaskar help with for kids?
Many children find it an energising, gentle and fun way to start the morning and wake the whole body up. It is a cheerful warm-up, not a cure for anything. Most of all, it should feel like a happy way to greet the day.

Reviewed by Sailaja Anand, yoga teacher at Anand Yoga Centre, Kolathur. Last updated 2026-06-15.

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WhatsApp us on +91 86101 62435 about Little Yogis (ages 4 to 7) or Junior Yogis (ages 8 to 12). Small, safe batches.

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