Soccer, netball and swimming are standard after-school sporting activities for many Australian families. But have you thought about introducing yoga to your children?
Yoga, an ancient art that combines awareness of the body, mind and breath, is not just for adults. It is also a fun and healthy activity for children. With a long list of benefits, from building physical strength to managing stress, we think it’s time to add yoga to the mix. (Oh, and best of all, it’s FUN!)
Discover 11 Amazing Ways Yoga Benefits Children:
1: Grow strong and flexible bodies
Flowing yoga sequences increase heart and breathing rates and stretch developing muscles. Add poses that involve supporting your own body weight and you have all the ingredients to help build fitness, strength and flexibility.
2: Cultivate coordination
During a sequence, many yoga poses are performed on one side of the body and then the other. This helps children learn rights from lefts and ensures that both sides of the body are worked equally.
3: Develop concentration
A well-designed kids yoga class oscillates between active (and often noisy!) sequences and still, calm poses. This offers an opportunity for young yogis to hone their self-control and concentration, along with the ability to follow instructions.
4: Eliminate stress
Little people get “stressed” like us. Juggling school, friends, family, and extracurricular activities can take a toll on your mental health. Yoga shows children how to slow down to recognize stress triggers and introduce simple techniques that use the body, breath and mind to move from stress to calm.
5: Take advantage of imagination and creativity
Full of storytelling, role-playing, and games, kids can unleash their imaginations during yoga. (Think of a room full of roaring lions, jumping frogs, or silent mice!) Final relaxation (savasana) often involves a visualization exercise in which children can star in their own fantasy adventure. Some classes may also address yogic philosophy, asking participants to reflect on ethical issues and propose creative solutions to everyday scenarios.
6: Everyone wins
In a children’s yoga class, everyone is on an equal footing: there are no points to keep or goals to score. When winning is not the goal of the game, the value of giving your best simply for personal satisfaction and that of the entire group becomes more important. Of course, this is a great lesson for all of us and, in particular, can give children who consider themselves less “sporty” a wonderful opportunity to shine.
7: Promotes self-awareness
Through a playful environment and skillful instruction, children get to know their physical body as it moves and moves during class. They will also learn about bodily functions such as breathing, digestion, and the role of emotions.
8: Teaches relaxation
As adults, many of us struggle with knowing how to relax, and it’s a skill that’s desperately needed for good health! In one session, children experience a variety of relaxation techniques designed to calm the physical body and mind, equipping them with valuable skills for now and the future.
9: Increases self-esteem
Children who can fly in an eagle pose or maintain a complicated balance simply shine with pride! This precious feeling of accomplishment can last long after class has ended and spill over into other activities.
10: FUN!
With fewer rules than in formal sports activities, children become children: they play, move, create, and laugh throughout class. It’s fun!
Ready to Find a Kid’s Yoga Class?
Check the schedule at your local yoga studio in Australia. Some schools offer yoga, or you can even hire an instructor to come to your home. A yoga mat, yoga pillow, or yoga bolster makes yoga at home easy and accessible, too.