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Today, I'm going to go over a high-lunging exercise that you can do with children. This exercise is one that builds strength, focus, and patience:

1. Have the children all start in Downward Facing Dog.
2. Emphasize that the key to this exercise is keeping the palms flat on the floor. That means no lifting the heel of the palm to accommodate the movement!
3. Start by lifting the right leg in the air behind you.
4. Then, round the midback like a Cat Pose and bring the knee towards the nose.
5. Slowly, and without any momentum, have the kids try to place the foot between their flat palms. Remember palms must always stay flat!
6. Step the leg back to Down Dog and repeat on the left. Repeat the exercise 3-5 times on each side.

This is a very challenging exercise and many kids won't be able to get their foot all the way between their hands with flat palms. Also, they will want to move (essentially shove) the leg up there very fast in order to increase their odds. Remember--like all yoga exercises--this is about effort, not perfection. Really emphasize the slow, deliberate movement and the flatness of the palm. Allow the kids to build acceptance of their personal efforts and challenge their problem-solving skills to figure out how to make this one work out.

And that's the mini yogis minute for this week. You can sign up for mini yogis teacher training to learn all the in's and out's of working with kids. And be sure to check back for a new tip each week or sign up below for weekly reminders.

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