sphinx pose

Lie across from your child face-down on a carpeted area or yoga mat. Keep your legs straight and together with the tops of your feet on the floor. Press your body, from your hips to the tops of your feet, into the floor as you slide your elbows under your shoulders and raise your upper body, keeping your forearms and palms on the floor, just like a sphinx! Gaze at your child and hold the pose for five deep inhales and exhales, feeling your lower belly lifting off the floor. (Note: keep your shoulders down and away from your ears.) Release back down and do two or three more rounds.

Talk to your child about the role of the sphinx as a guardian at the temple gate. This pose is excellent for building the upper body and lengthening the spine.