Libraries are more than books. Some kids need a little direction to get the creative juices flowing. I gleaned the following from PUBYAC contributors. If you’re a member, check out the archives for 10-27-2011 and 5-23-2012. Please add YOUR comments. Your colleagues would appreciate hearing what works, and what didn't!

We have a very successful program that we do here at our library. The main age emphasis is 5-12 and we get children (and adults) of all ages. The program is called YogaRobics and it is a bit of yoga mixed in with an active exercise. We have yoga mats that children can use if they do not have their own, (many have purchased their own because of our program). We use video instructors, yoga cards, and action CDs. We incorporate streamers, ribbon sticks, bean bags, and parachutes. Occasionally, we have a local yoga teacher come in and help as well (about once a quarter). The program is very popular and we have a many regulars! 

Program Outline (Perry Library)

Welcome – Namaste Rhyme w/ clapping  : Go around the circle and say each child's name twice (tapping knees on first syllable then clapping hands once on the second) then put hands in heart/prayer position, bow head, and say "Namaste!" 

Warm up – sitting – sit up tall (zip your zipper) - happy body / sad body

• Neck – look left / right, up /down, side to side, tilt right/left 2. 
• Shoulders – lift up and down, (breathe in and out) , then one at a time - rotate shoulders (like scribbling on the walls with a crayon attached to your shoulder - ask children what color is their crayon today)
• Back – arch back & contract, curl up to kiss knees, rock like a boat (small then big)
• Apple butter rub – spread on toes and legs, reach to touch toes to close the bread on top, yum! - ask each child what they are going to put on their sandwich today
• Wave hello with hands and feet 

Warm up – kneeling poses such as:

• Cat & Cow – meow and moo
• Road Runner stretch
• Down Dog – wag tail, hold up each leg, bark!
• Cobra snake - wiggle and hiss  

Warm up – standing & balancing poses such as:

• Roll Up - Walk hands back to frog crouch & tickle toes and all over up to head - tickle the ceiling
• Hang like a rag doll
• Stretch up to the sun – arch back, reach to pick apples, make rainbows in air with arms
• Tree, Dancer, Star etc. 

Shake and Wiggle

• Stamp our feet
• Hop like a frog
• Jump like a kangaroo
• Flap like a bird 

Partnering poses - boat, mirrors, lizard on a rock 

Yoga games - get out the parachute, balloons, hula hoops, scarves, balls, dance & balance, etc                         

Practice belly laughs & deep breathing                                                        

Story - read a story and have the children pretend and imagine they are the animals - do poses that match (I can send you a list of good stories to use if you need them)                                                        

Quiet time and massage – turn out lights, play quiet music, rub hands and feet and feel warmth, feel heartbeat, curl up and relax toes,  float on a cloud, look at sky, feel warm sun 

Namaste ball - roll a ball to each child and say "Namaste (name)" and they roll it back to you and say "Namaste (your name)" 

Closing affirmation: start with hands in heart / prayer position I am smart (touch folded hands to forehead), I am loved (touch folded hands by heart position), I am wonderful (arms open up and wide) 

My favorite books are:

Storytime Yoga, by Sydney Solis

Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers,  by Helen Garabedian

Yoga Kids, by Marsha Wening

Yoga Bear: Yoga for Youngsters,  by Karen Pierce

You Are a Lion! And Other Fun Yoga Poses by Taeeun Yoo