5 Car Seat Yoga Poses to Keep Kids Calm and Quiet

There are few things that could transform a whine into a giggle or an angry scowl into a peaceful smile like a car ride yoga stretch. While getting out of the car and fully stretching is always preferred, these car-friendly poses can help keep kids calm and quiet for the duration of a trip. They’re great for children with tight muscles, preschoolers on a long car ride, teens who get tired easily and any kid in between.

This pose opens the lower back, hips and spine, and stretches the neck and shoulders. To perform it, start with your feet flat on the floor and hip distance apart, squeezing your butt toward the seat in front of you. Twist your upper body so that you’re looking out the back window, gripping your seat with both hands to assist in holding the pose and deepening the stretch. Hold for 8-10 breaths. Repeat on the other side.

A simple yet effective pose, this one is a great stretch for the lower back and neck, and also strengthens the core and thighs. To begin, sit in a chair and move your weight so that your butt is close to the edge of the chair. Then, lift your back up and reach through the crown of your head to lengthen your spine. When you’re done, drop your neck to release the tension in your shoulders and allow your arms to rest on the dash for a final stretch.

While this pose can be done in the standing position, it’s great for stretching the thighs, inner thigh and hips as well as strengthening the leg and back muscles. Sit in a chair with your legs together and the soles of your feet touching. Extend your left leg out straight and flex the foot or toes. Open your right arm out to the side and either place your hand on your knee or extend it above your head, letting your palms face each other. Hold for several breaths and then come back to your original seated position.

This is a pose that stretches the hips, thighs and lower back while opening up the chest and shoulders. To perform it, sit in your chair with your feet flat on the floor and about hip width apart. Then, squat down and reach your right leg forward toward the back of the chair, extending the foot so that it is close to the seat. Hold the pose for a few breaths and then switch to the other leg.

This is another pose that can be done in the standing position or while sitting down, but it’s perfect for a quick stretch for the neck and shoulders. To do it, lean forward from your hips and place your right foot on the dash of the car. Then, lift your left foot up, flex it and extend it out to the side while continuing to lean over your right leg. Close your eyes and hold for a few breaths before returning to your original seated position.