Spider Pose, isn’t technically a pose in yoga. However, when using an open suggestion format for a kids’ yoga class, the kids often suggest an animal or object for which there is no yoga pose. This is a wonderful opportunity to get inventive and see what you, or better yet they, can create. This particular pose uses music and tactile activities to develop fine motor skills, language comprehension, increase left/right brain hemisphere connectivity, and increase spacial understanding. In addition because it is a partner pose skills such as appropriate social interactions, taking turns, and cooperation come into play.

Spider Pose

spider pose

• In partners, one person be the ‘child’ the other be the ‘spider’
• Sit with the spider behind the child
• Sing ‘Teensy, Weensy Spider’ as the spider crawls their fingers up and down the child’s back and the child does the actions to the song
• Switch roles and repeat

Pre-school and Division I (Grades 1-3) love this pose and enjoy taking turns being the spider.

Spider Pose Group Variation

You could also create a spider group pose with the entire class sitting in a row, one in front of the other like a train, all being spiders, except the first child who gets to perform the finger actions for the song. Be prepared for this to lead to an impromptu tickle or two and lots of giggling.