Kids yoga + Stapelstein® for a calmer, more joyful family routine.

Combined with the popular, versatile Stapelstein® Elements and the Stapelstein® Mat, yoga becomes an imaginative journey—and a shared experience that can noticeably transform everyday family life.

Gentle steps instead of big leaps

“You must never think about the whole road at once. You only have to think about the next step, the next breath, the next sweep of the broom. Then it becomes joyful.” This quote from Beppo the street sweeper in Momo has long accompanied kids yoga and mindfulness teacher, author, and artist Darline Waschat. “For a long time, I only saw the entire road—I rushed from one to-do to the next. Now I try to live the exact opposite: accepting the moment without wanting to change it.”

This mindset shapes her work—whether in classes, illustrations, or books. In her kids yoga offerings, a space is created where children can perceive themselves and their needs—playfully, creatively, and full of color.

Kids yoga: A treasure for development

Why does it make sense to practice yoga with children from an early age? Darline explains:

“Children naturally have a deep sense of themselves and the present moment. That is something incredibly precious—and exactly what we want to strengthen through kids yoga. It’s about tuning into the body and noticing: How am I feeling right now? What do I need? And then responding to that with kindness.”

This self-awareness is a true gift in a world full of distractions—especially when it is discovered together with parents.

What positive effects does kids yoga have?

“Yoga is not a miracle cure—but it unfolds its effects in many different ways. It strengthens coordination, supports body awareness, and sparks imagination. This playful, creative side has a firm place in kids yoga. Because here, things are allowed to be lively, colorful, and sometimes a little wild.”

Parent-child yoga: Growing together

“In parent-child yoga, what matters most to me is that parents come into the shared practice without expectations. It’s not about perfect poses or children sitting quietly on their mats. It’s about exploring together, laughing, closeness, and trust. About noticing yourself and each other in all the small and big emotions—and feeling accepted just the way you are.”

With the Stapelstein ® Elements, the yoga practice becomes even more versatile—for example, through creative yoga stories that fill the entire room and ignite the imagination.

Small rituals with a big impact

Beyond the mat, Darline also shows how easily mindfulness can be woven into everyday life:

“Mindfulness doesn’t require much—often it’s more about letting go than adding more. Small changes can have a big effect. Examples include brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand, washing your hands consciously, or slowly enjoying a strawberry with your eyes closed. Playfully, these rituals enhance awareness and strengthen the connection to yourself—and to others.”

A sun salutation that touches children’s hearts

The sun salutation from the book Hanno’s Journey into the Yoga Forest, created in collaboration by Darline Waschat and Hannah Gorzinski, is a poetic movement sequence that invites participation through images, language, and story:

To tickle the sun, stretch yourself nice and tall
Stretch arms upward. Rise onto tiptoes.
Stroke the ground to wake the earth
Forward fold: Try to touch the floor.
Get ready
Runner’s pose: Hands on the floor. Right foot steps back.
Be as strong as a bear
Plank pose: Step the left foot back to meet the right.
Belly to the floor, greet the day
Cobra: Lift head and upper body.
Like a dog, push yourself back
Downward-facing dog: Lift hips up high.
Take a step forward and look toward happiness
Runner’s pose: Right foot steps between the hands.
Can you feel the earth awake and joyful?
Forward fold: Try to touch the floor.
Stretch upward
Stand tall and reach arms overhead.
and begin again
Mountain pose: Hands in prayer at the heart.

Kids yoga is a pathway to greater mindfulness, self-confidence, and connection in everyday life. With creativity, lightness, and plenty of color, this shared time becomes a ritual that strengthens both children and parents alike. And sometimes, a single breath is all it takes to arrive a little closer to yourself on this journey.