Abstract

The Starfish Brothers, Eel, Crab and Octopus are having a horrid time. The Starfish Brothers' backs are stiff as planks, Eel is in a wheelchair and feels excluded, Crab finds it hard to play with others, and highly-competitive Octopus is on crutches after a pole-vaulting accident. Luckily, Seahorse adapts her Magical Yoga Sun Sequence to suit their individual needs, helping them to be active, included, and much happier!

This beautiful picture book teaches four Yoga Sun Sequences in a fun and interactive way. The simple sequences benefit all children, while ensuring that anyone with inflexibility, autism, disability or injury can join in the fun. With specific advice for individual needs, this is an excellent resource for educators, yoga instructors and parents hoping to promote inclusion, positivity and confidence in all children aged 3-11.

Using a variety of sea creature characters, yoga teacher Michael Chissick weaves a narrative through which the 'Sun Salutation' sequence is introduced, thus making it highly accessible to all primary aged children.
Jill Bennett
Red Reading Hub
This lovely story, alongside its beautiful illustrations and well-explained diagrams, brings yoga to children of all abilities in a fun, joyful and accessible way. I have been lucky to witness how this exercise can build a child's self-confidence, awareness and language. If you are a teacher or parent interested in yoga for children, this beautiful story will provide an excellent start.
Jennifer Watson, Teacher (Early Years and Key Stage 1)
I love the way that Seahorse celebrates differences and shows ways for everyone to be included in the yoga. I am convinced that this book will encourage children, ranging from Kindergarten to 10/11 year olds, to develop compassion and tolerance for others who may be less able; which in turn will lead to more peaceful relationships. Michael's knowledge of how to engage children in yoga, especially children with Special Needs, shines through; while Sarah Peacock's beautiful illustrations bring the story to life.
Petra Proßowsky, children’s yoga teacher and trainer, Germany
With clear guidance for parents, teachers or yoga instructors, this is a simple introduction that can be used by anyone regardless of their previous yoga experience or lack thereof.
Pooky Knightsmith
In Our Hands
I love the characters that Seahorse meets in this book. With superb illustrations by Sarah Peacock, this will be a valuable teaching aid for teachers who wish to develop movement and yoga in their classes, as well as parents who can learn the sequences alongside their children. It is clear, easy to follow and fun!
Andrea Kwiatkowski, BWY Diploma Course Tutor, Senior Yoga Alliance Teacher and Advanced Jivamukti Teacher
I loved Seahorse's Magical Sun Sequences! Whether you're a crab who doesn't like to move or speak much, an eel in a wheelchair or a child on crutches, Seahorse will have a Magical Sun Sequence for you. Sarah Peacock's vibrant illustrations combine with the measured anticipation and repetition of Michael Chissick's stories to create an irresistible urge to do yoga. It is more than a little bit magical: it is completely spell-binding.
Wendy Teasdill, Diploma Course Tutor for the British Wheel of Yoga, author of 'Walking to the Mountain' and 'Yoga for Pregnancy'
Seahorse's Magical Sun Sequences is a marvellous resource for parents and teachers who want to support every child to access yoga in a fun and engaging way. The charming characters bring the sun sequences richly to life and will appeal to children everywhere. This is a book I will be proud and excited to recommend to schools, parents and colleagues. If you want to instil a lifelong love of yoga in all children, this is the book you have been waiting for.
Catherine McNerney, Assistant Head, Phoenix School, London
What a delightful way to introduce the benefits of yoga to children of all abilities. Everyone succeeds in this informative and practical book. With a positive repetitive message throughout, there are shades of Kipling's Just So Stories. For anyone considering teaching yoga to children, this book is a must have.
Bob Insley, British Wheel of Yoga, yoga teacher and teacher trainer

I liked the repetition in the stories. It makes it predictable for children involved - as they progress to the other stories. I love the bright illustrations throughout the book! They are clear, simple and easy to copy. The story reads well. There is enough background information to ensure you choose the right story for the individual class. There is also an extra info to support children with additional needs.The target audience is wide, but as this is meant to be an introduction to yoga I think it caters quite well! It is great that you can download free copies of the sun sequences - encouraging students to practise more.
I think this is a great resource and wish I was still in a classroom environment to try it out!

Mel Thomsett
Sensory Smart
The basic sequence is very simple, but Michael Chissick writes that children find the pattern very soothing and, as the story shows, just doing these simple moves can help us loosen our bodies and feel more positive about ourselves.
Juno Magazine
Michael Chissick and Sarah Peacock's winning formula produces another super-simple, completely practical and totally inclusive yoga book for children. Seahorse's Magical Sun Sequences is a delightful introduction to the world of sun salutations and how you might adapt them to be a practical, imaginative way of moving into your body and feeling more at one with yourself and your environment.
Tara Fraser, Director of Yoga Junction and author of 'Yoga for You' and 'The Easy Yoga Workbook'