During a storytime or classroom break, have kids hold a pose while you read the poem for that pose. A great way for kids to connect the physical and mental and gain fresh insights of yoga movement. For example, have kids do belly breaths while you read "Breath." ( )

Twist: Yoga Poems by Janet Wong is a book of 16 poems showing and explaining some yoga poses. Each page is colorful and showing the poses the author is writing about. Some of the poems are so clever and funny. For example, the Down Dog poem is short and sweet but also made ma laugh. "Down is to dog as up is to bird. Dog starts each morning bow-wow-ing." I don't know why but it made ma laugh for a minute. I learned a lot from these poems because I didn't know a lot of these yoga poses myself so I'm sure this would be new to the kids. It actually interested me a lot because I've never actually done yoga. I think this could actually be a great activity to do in class. While learning about poems and reading this book, you could have the students even do some of these poses. These poems are simple too so it would be easy for them to understand. ( )

16 poems about Yoga help students learn poses and mindful thoughts. Colorful and vibrant illustrations add to text for visual support of poses. Multicultural support for India and Yogaic practice, mindfullness, movement

This collection of sixteen original poems were truly inspiring. Each poem focuses on a different yoga pose which is really nice. This story Is full of imagery. These poems written by Wong are non-rhyming poems that are written really well. The illustrations are like the poems. For each poem/yoga pose, the illustrations draw a detailed drawing on a two-page spread that includes a beautiful background with pictures relating back to the poem. The author uses familiar, precise and clear language that helps children understand what they are supposed to do to get the pose. For example, on the poem Child’s pose the author says “her body remembers the inside of the eggshell, the firm roundness of her first home.” ( )

I really like this poetry book. The poems each describe a pose in yoga. Its really fun to actually try out the poses while reciting the poems. ( )