Combined with the popular versatile Stapelstein® elements and the Stapelstein® Mat, yoga becomes an imaginative journey – and a connecting experience that can noticeably change the whole family life.
Tender steps instead of big leaps
“One should never think of the whole street at once. You must only think of the next step, the next breath, the next sweep of the broom. Then it’s fun.” This quote from Beppo the street sweeper from Momo has long accompanied children's yoga and mindfulness teacher, author, and artist Darline Waschat. “For a long time, I only saw the whole street – rushed from one to-do to the next. Now I try to live exactly the opposite: to accept the moment without wanting to change it.”
This attitude shapes her work – whether in courses, in her illustrations, or books. In her children's yoga offers, a space is created where children can perceive themselves and their needs – in a playful, creative, and colorful way.
Children's Yoga: A Treasure for Development
Why is it sensible to do yoga with children? Darline explains:
“Children have a natural sense of themselves and the moment. That is something very precious – and that is exactly what we want to strengthen in children's yoga. It's about feeling into the body, perceiving: How am I actually doing? What do I need right now? And to deal with it lovingly.”
This self-awareness is a real gift in a world full of distractions. Especially when it is discovered together with the parents.
What Positive Effects Does Children's Yoga Have?
“Yoga is not a miracle cure – but it unfolds its effect in a very diverse way. It strengthens coordination, promotes body awareness, and stimulates the imagination. Especially this playful, creative side has a firm place in children's yoga. Because here it can be lively, colorful, and sometimes wild.”
Parent-Child Yoga: Growing Together
“In parent-child yoga, it is particularly important to me that parents come to the joint practice without expectations. It's not about perfect poses or having children sit quietly on their mats. Rather, it's about trying things out together, laughing, closeness, and trust. It's about perceiving oneself and each other in all the small and big feelings - and feeling accepted - just as you are.”
With the Stapelstein® elements, the yoga practice becomes even more diverse: Creative yoga stories, for example, fill the entire space and imagination.
Small rituals for big impact
Beyond the mat, Darline shows how simple mindfulness can be lived in everyday life:
“Mindfulness doesn't need much - often it's more about taking away than adding. Even small changes can have a big impact. Examples of this can be: brushing your teeth with the other hand, conscious handwashing, or slowly enjoying a strawberry with closed eyes. Such rituals playfully enhance perception and strengthen the connection to oneself - and to others.”
A sun salutation that touches children's hearts
The sun salutation from the book Hanno's Journey into the Yoga Forest, which was created in collaboration between Darline Waschat and Hannah Gorzinski, is a poetic sequence of movements that invites participation through images, language, and action:
- To tickle the sun, you must stretch well
Stretch arms upwards. Stand on tiptoes.
- Stroke the ground to wake the earth
Full forward bend: Try to touch the ground.
- Get ready
Runner's pose: Hands on the ground. Right foot back.
- Be bear-strong
Plank position: Place left foot next to the right.
- Belly on the ground, greet the day
Cobra: Lift head and upper body.
- Like a dog, push yourself back
Downward-facing dog: Push hips up.
- Step forward, look towards happiness
Runner's pose: Right foot between the hands.
- Do you feel the earth awake and joyful
Full forward bend: Try to touch the ground.
- Stretch upwards
Stand up and stretch arms upwards.
- and begin again
Mountain pose: Hands in prayer position in front of the heart.
Children's yoga is an access to more mindfulness, self-confidence, and connection in everyday life. With creativity, lightness, and lots of color, this shared time becomes a ritual that strengthens both children and parents alike. And sometimes a single breath is enough to arrive a little at oneself on this journey.
More inspiration about Darline Waschat
Instagram @darline.glueckinfarbe
Website www.glueck-in-farbe.de
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