Yoga Spinner Game Review

I'm always on the lookout for board games that both of my kids can understand and play ... and play by themselves with minimal parental involvements for those times I'm busy making dinner (or honestly, just don't feel like playing a children's board game!)

Yoga Spinner (ages 6+) by Upside Down Games is one of those games that fits those criteria. It's a fun, challenging, and active game, too.

The instructions are basic and easy to understand. You spin the spinner and draw the corresponding card and attempt the yoga pose for 10 seconds. There are some challenges on the spinner - you could land on the icon where someone gets to take one of your cards (but they have to perform that move for 10 seconds in order to keep it!), or someone else decides your category for you. One of the categories requires the move to be done with a partner. You can watch a short video clip of the game to get an idea of what poses are on some of the cards (54 poses in all).

I initially thought the game would go by fairly quickly (and it can), because the first person to collect 4 of the different colored cards wins, but it's not always as easy as it looks! Some of the yoga moves can be a little difficult to stretch and bend your body in that position if you've never done them before (I just might be speaking from experience here!) And to hold it for 10 seconds!

The first time Lucas and I played we modified it to say if you were able to attempt and hold the position for at least 5 seconds you could keep the card, but we would still try to hold for the full 10 seconds. The more we play the easier it will be to do the moves and when we are more comfortable (limber!) with the moves we will go with the full 10 seconds. This works well for Kayla too as it is harder for her to hold a position for 10 seconds.

Among some of the many benefits to yoga are better posture, enhances coordination and balance, increases physical strength and concentration, and develops greater flexibility (great for Kayla who has hypotonia, or, low muscle tone).

Yoga Spinner has won several awards including being rated for children with special needs by Able Play.

I frequently hear my kids asking each other if they want to play "the yoga game" and the answer is usually a resounding "oh yeah!"

I asked Lucas what he likes about the game and he said, "Because it's doing exercise and it's fun!"

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.