5 ways you can help your child settle in savasana

The best way to end any family Yoga practice is with a few moments of savasana (time can increase with practice).

This is a space where you can both rest with effortless breath, surrendering to gravity and allowing your body and mind to completely settle.

Sounds lovely right? Except….

What if its not 😬

What if it’s actually really hard to just lay down and do nothing?? This is a challenge for many adults, it’s taken me a lot of practice myself, but with the right sequence leading up to it and knowing how to support children in Savasana, it can be beautiful. It is one of my favourite parts of class and many of my students too.

I have so many ways to share but let’s start with these 5.

Play relaxing music

Playing some calming music can help settle children into rest. Repetition of the same song can also help here as it signals the end of your session and a chance for rest.

• Consider using soft instrumental music to create a soothing atmosphere or a relaxing song with repetitive lyrics such as ‘Just Be’ by Kira Willey

Spaghetti test

Think of an uncooked stick of spaghetti – not the fresh stuff but the dried, hard stick of pasta. When we cook it, it gets loose and bendy.

This is our difference between tense and relaxed. This is what we want to test in our children, to see if they are cooked yet, I mean relaxed.

First ask them if you can hold their ankles. If they say yes, gently lift them and sway their legs side to side. You will feel whether they are tense or relaxed, and you can guide them to breathe as you sway. A little bounce in the middle is also fun and helps the body to ease. You can feel the tension leaving their body. It is such a playful way to help them relax.

Take care of your own back when practicing this one by squatting down or coming to kneel before picking up the heels.

Sensory scarf

Using a colourful sensory scarf to wave over your child is a beautiful way to help them settle. You can pretend it is a magic scarf of calm or even use it as you guide them through a rainbow or colour themed meditation. It can also be great to take turns here too!

Use props

Using props such as bolsters, blocks and blankets can add some extra comfort into this time to relax. It may also be a bit of a novelty at first which can help get children’s attention. There are so many cosey set ups and restorative poses you can explore together. After a while they will start having their favourite go to relaxing poses with props that they can return to.

Let them choose

Remember, savasana doesn’t have to look one way. The main thing we want here is to provide them a moment to relax, and to create a calm moment for them. If they are more comfortable laying a different way, rolling up in their yoga mat or using ALL the props. It’s okay. Let them choose what is comfortable for them.

As you help your child relax in savasana, remember it’s about creating a cozy space where they feel safe and supported.

Every kid is different, so be patient and flexible. By giving them these moments to unwind, you’re teaching them important skills for life. Keep being there for them with love and understanding, and watch them find their peace.

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