Yoga can bring many benefits for children, just as it does for adults. We focus on working with their needs mentally, physically, and emotionally and thus holistically wellness is provided. Yoga is also fun, accessible and life enhancing. Yoga is interesting for children and adults and when interesting, engaging. When engaging, motivating, and when motivating, practiced. When practiced, PEACE
Relaxation
Children, just like any adult, can experience fears, anxieties,
have difficulty sleeping and be stressed and uptight. Yet for
children these emotions and experiences may be hard to express
or even recognize the feelings. Being able to relax is a practice
and skill whether you are an adult or a child.
Befriending your Breath
When a child is first born they breathe using the entire respiratory system, the whole of their lungs so to speak, as they and we grow older this breath is often lost. As we grow, our breath becomes shorter, which shortens the lung capacity. We no longer breathe using our noses but now using the mouth. Yoga not only helps with better breathing, which brings a sense of relaxation, it is also beneficial for children with various breathing difficulties e.g. asthma.
Breathing is always made a focus in every class, adult or younger yogis. Many of the breathing exercises done with children are through the use of sound (humming, aum, and aah sounds). Working with sound encourages children to be one with their breath which in turns can create oneness with themselves.
Posture seems to have an effect on all of us. Most are told when we are younger to stand up straight, don't slouch, yet we all find ourselves slouching as we get older. One would imagine that being reminded all the time would affect the outcome. By age two most children can usually be comfortable in a squatting position with their feet flat and back and spine long and engaged. They are able to play in this position and be merry. By the time they are four they have often lost some of their flexibility. One reason for this inflexibility may be early educators asking them to sit cross-legged with their arms folded. Folding the arms rounds the shoulders, forcing the back down. This is not only poor posture physically, but also emotionally and psychologically. It is an inward posture which undermines both self-esteem and self-confidence.
Concentration
Yoga helps to improve concentration, attention span, and daily focus. With the many distractions in today’s worlds, children can have short concentration and attention span, with the help of meditation and breathing techniques this can be improved. When improved a sense of security, self esteem, and focus will be present.
Self-esteem
Yoga is most of all enjoyable for children. Many children have low self-esteem and a poor self-image. Children are often unfamiliar and confused with their bodies and minds. Yoga is something they can actually do; it makes them feel good physically and mentally, and helps them to balance their emotions.
Fit and Healthy
Many children do little exercise these days. They sit and watch television, play on computers and can lose basic fitness skills that provide stable foundations as we grow. Yoga helps to stretch, strengthen and tone the whole of the body.
