Winter Sports Yoga for Kids
Winter Sports Yoga for Kids: Move, Breathe & Imagine!
When the weather turns chilly and outdoor play gets limited, it’s the perfect time to bring winter magic indoors. At Little Yogis Academy, we love turning kids’ favorite winter sports into imaginative yoga poses that get bodies moving, minds focused, and giggles flowing.
Winter sports yoga blends movement, mindfulness, pretend play, and breathwork into one joyful experience. Kids aren’t “doing yoga” — they’re skiing down mountains, gliding across ice, and making snow angels right on their mats.
Let’s dive into some of our favorite winter sports–inspired yoga poses for kids, plus a few fun breathing exercises to keep everyone calm, cozy, and connected.
1. Ski Pose (Chair Pose)
Yoga Pose: Chair Pose
Imagination Cue: “Bend your knees… we’re skiing down the mountain!”
Kids love this strong, powerful pose because it feels active and exciting. Encourage them to bend their knees, reach their arms forward, and imagine zooming down a snowy hill.
Why we love it:
Builds leg strength and endurance
Improves focus and balance
Great energy-release pose for busy bodies
💨 Breathing Add-On: “Cold Mountain Breaths”
Inhale through the nose like you’re smelling cold mountain air.
Exhale through the mouth with a big “whoooo!” like you’re speeding downhill.
2. Snowboarder Pose (Warrior II)
Yoga Pose: Warrior II
Imagination Cue: “Carve through the snow like a snowboarder!”
With legs wide and arms stretched out, kids feel strong, confident, and grounded. This pose is fantastic for helping children feel steady and powerful.
Why we love it:
Builds confidence and body awareness
Encourages focus and strength
Teaches kids how to stay steady under challenge
💨 Breathing Add-On: “Wind Breaths”
Inhale deeply.
Exhale while softly blowing air out, pretending strong winter wind is rushing past your arms.
3. Figure Skater Pose (Dancer Pose)
Yoga Pose: Dancer Pose
Imagination Cue: “Glide gracefully across the ice!”
This pose feels magical. Kids love pretending they’re ice skating under twinkly lights, especially when you encourage gentle movement and grace.
Why we love it:
Improves balance and coordination
Builds focus and patience
Encourages calm, graceful movement
💨 Breathing Add-On: “Sparkle Breaths”
Inhale slowly through the nose.
Exhale gently through the mouth, imagining sparkles floating into the air.
4. Snowshoe Tree Pose (Tree Pose)
Yoga Pose: Tree Pose
Imagination Cue: “Stand tall like a winter tree in the snow!”
Tree Pose becomes extra fun when kids imagine wearing giant snowshoes and standing strong in a snowy forest.
Why we love it:
Strengthens balance and concentration
Helps kids practice stillness
Builds confidence in their bodies
💨 Breathing Add-On: “Quiet Forest Breaths”
Breathe in silently through the nose.
Breathe out slowly, pretending not to wake any sleeping animals.
5. Sled Ride Pose (Boat Pose)
Yoga Pose: Boat Pose
Imagination Cue: “Hold on tight — we’re sledding!”
This one always brings laughter. Encourage kids to lift their feet, hold their balance, and imagine sliding down a snowy hill together.
Why we love it:
Strengthens the core
Encourages teamwork and resilience
Builds joyful effort (without pressure!)
💨 Breathing Add-On: “Sledding Breath”
Inhale to prepare.
Exhale with a joyful “Wheeeee!”
6. Snow Angel Rest (Star Pose / Savasana)
Yoga Pose: Star Pose or Savasana
Imagination Cue: “Make a snow angel and rest.”
After all that movement, this pose invites calm and relaxation. Kids stretch out like snow angels and settle their bodies.
Why we love it:
Teaches rest and self-regulation
Helps kids transition from movement to calm
Perfect for the end of class
💨 Breathing Add-On: “Snow Angel Breathing”
Place hands on the belly.
Inhale to feel the belly rise like a snowdrift.
Exhale and feel it melt back down.
Why Winter Sports Yoga Works So Well for Kids
✔️ Keeps kids active during colder months
✔️ Uses imagination to boost engagement
✔️ Builds physical strength and emotional regulation
✔️ Makes mindfulness playful and accessible
At Little Yogis Academy, we believe yoga should feel fun, magical, and empowering — especially for kids. When children connect movement with imagination, they don’t just learn poses… they build a lifelong love of movement and mindfulness.
Want Ready-Made Winter Yoga Resources?
We’ve created winter-themed lesson plans, pose cards, breathing maps, and visuals to make teaching easy and fun.
👉 Explore our resources or join our Curriculum Membership to get instant access to seasonal content, scripts, and printable tools.
Let’s keep kids moving, breathing, and imagining — all winter long 💙❄️