Yoga and Children

Yoga is a fantastic practice for children to become involved in. Children are mostly open minded to new things and their ability to adapt and learn new practices are far greater than most adults. Children are similar to an unused canvas, absorbing paint and designs easily, they will pick up, copy and learn from all the influences they are exposed to.

Yoga is often fantastic for preschool children, giving them the opportunity to develop a flexible, healthy physical body while activating their creative thinking and intellectual growth. Children cannot be separated into the physical and the intellectual, they feel both as a whole at this age. Promoting awareness of this can only help the child grow with awareness of themselves, their body and soul.

Yoga helps children to gain control of their emotions and soothes them, removing anxiety through the practice of stretching and breathing which also promotes mental focus and physical performance. As well as feeling good about themselves, the relaxation helps children to sleep well and rest better.

The process of learning to breath well and with awareness can often help children to control their anger (letting go of negativity and unused energy) and also can help the shy ones to gain confidence and self-worth.

Yoga for children makes the bones healthy, strong and aligned, and can also help the muscles to become supple. Many of the postures actually massage the muscles which the children can feel far more easily than adults as they are so in touch with their bodies and not so much "in their heads".

Balancing asanas (poses) often help them with focus and concentration. Thus allowing them to calm down and "be in the moment". Children love this once they are doing it.

Asanas named after animals and angles (such as triangle pose) promote imagination and play time and work well when combined with the fitness and strength needed for these postures.

The "whole" child is treated when they practice yoga, mind, body and soul working as one and growing as one.

Find a yoga class for children in your town and go with them, you are sure to love it. Children have the ability to instantly feel the energy of the yoga and surrender to the divine. Something all adults, be they parents, auntys, uncles, grandparents could do well to listen and learn. Go to yoga with a child and let them be your teacher, i's great fun!!!