Hey yogi, this basic guide to kids yoga is for you if you're keen to introduce yoga into little ones' lives so that they can experience all of the benefits of yoga, just as you have. What are the benefits of yoga for kids, you ask? Well, although kids' yoga may look different from an adult yoga class, kids get the same calming and stress-relieving benefits from yoga that adults get.
As a yoga instructor who has taught human beings of all ages, including toddlers at yoga camp, I'm sharing why yoga benefits children and the best movements and postures to teach them.
Read on to learn how to introduce this ancient practice into the lives of not-so-ancient little ones and how yoga benefits kids.
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Why kids should practice yoga
Practicing yoga assists a child's natural development in terms of body awareness and coordination, which can reduce the number of falls and injuries. Experts agree that kids age 5 and up can start learning yoga.
Yoga helps children connect to their breath and learn how to use it to manage their emotions. Combining deep breathing and mindful movement helps children cultivate mindfulness by understanding their feelings. This enhances their ability to control their impulses, resulting in fewer mood swings and improved behavior.
Lastly, as yoga is a pressure-free activity, it helps boost children's self-image and confidence. Plus, when they manage to hold their balance or master a new pose, they feel accomplishment and pride.
5 yoga for kids benefits
Yoga offers a multitude of benefits for children, making it a valuable practice to incorporate into their daily routines. Through these benefits, yoga fosters holistic development, supporting both the mental and physical well-being of young practitioners. Here are five benefits of yoga for kids:
- Yoga improves kids' concentration & academic performance, helping them stay focused and perform better in school.
- Practicing yoga helps kids manage emotions by providing them with tools to navigate their feelings and maintain emotional balance.
- Learning yoga teaches kids how to breathe deeply, promoting calm and relaxation.
- Yoga promotes calm and relaxation, which is essential for reducing stress and anxiety.
- Performing yoga poses improves kids' self-confidence, empowering children to believe in themselves and their abilities
5 fun yoga poses kids can easily learn
Here are five engaging and kid-friendly yoga poses to try. These poses not only make yoga enjoyable for kids but also support their overall physical and mental well-being. Five poses kids should try are:
1. Warrior 2
Warrior 2 is a strong grounding posture that improves children's balance, stability, and confidence! It also requires their focus and concentration to hold the pose.
2. Tree pose
Kids usually love the challenge of standing on one leg in Tree pose. It is an excellent pose for improving focus and balance.
3. Cobra pose
Cobra pose is a great heart-opening pose for kids that also builds strength and spinal flexibility while promoting relaxation.
4. Butterfly pose
Butterfly pose is probably the least challenging pose, requiring the least amount of coordination and explanation! This pose promotes relaxation and peacefulness.
5. Boat pose
Boat pose is challenging, even for us adults! This pose helps children work on their balance and stability and requires immense concentration.
Children’s yoga research
The benefits mentioned above have been proven through various research studies. For example, one study examined the connection between anxiety reduction and yoga in children. Researchers found nearly all children who participated in the study experienced less anxiety after attending yoga classes than before.
Moreover, the study tested children aged 3 to 18, which shows two things.
- Yoga is beneficial to kids of all ages
- You can teach your children yoga from as young as 3 years old
How to begin teaching yoga to a child
I find a great way to keep kids engaged in a yoga class is to take them through a series of animal poses and encourage them to make the noise of each animal while holding the poses. This is called animal yoga, and young kids love these kinds of classes!
It's also essential that children learn breathing techniques. You can spend a minute at the beginning of the class teaching them how to breathe at a slower and deeper pace. Then, as they hold each pose, remind them to breathe deeply.
Below are five fun yoga poses you can teach to children that they can quickly learn. For more pose ideas and teaching methods, look into Marsha Wenig who is the founder of YogaKids International, Inc., the original and leading provider of yoga for children.
How to explain yoga to kids
So now you know just how beneficial kids' yoga can be; you're probably wondering how to explain this ancient spiritual practice to a 5-year-old child!
The most basic way to explain yoga to a child is as a way to exercise our bodies, minds, and breath at the same time.
I don't suggest you read the yoga sutras to a child or get deep into Raja yoga philosophy – unless you're trying to put them to sleep! How you explain and teach yoga to a child depends on their age, and there are a lot of great yoga videos that can help you with this.
For very young children, teachers often describe it as a practice where you use your body to make shapes of all things in the world, from animals to vehicles to nature.
For older kids, parents can explain yoga as an ancient philosophy teaching us to find happiness within by balancing our minds and bodies. The breathing exercises and body movements help us rebalance ourselves.
Takeaway
Now you know more about the benefits of yoga for kids, and why it is so beneficial, why not share it with your children? Who knows, you may even raise a future acro-yogi! Or, if you're a teacher, propose some kids' yoga classes to your local school and help the children in your community experience more focus, relaxation, and body-mind connection.
FAQ about yoga for kids
What skills does yoga teach children?
Yoga helps children connect to their breath and learn how to use it to manage their emotions. This enhances their ability to control their impulses, resulting in fewer mood swings and improved behavior. Yoga also boosts children's self-image and self-confidence.
Why yoga and meditation is important for kids?
Yoga and meditation can help kids to be more focused. This results in a longer attention span and the ability to remember more of what they are studying in school.
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