When life gets hectic, many adults deal with stress by heading to their yoga mats. Research suggests that kids should do the same. It turns out that yoga is truly for everybody, kids included. Yoga and meditation are very effective in counteracting the pressures brought on by school, activities and relationships. In addition, yoga also enables children to enjoy life to the fullest by promoting a healthy and active lifestyle through movement. What other benefits can your child experience by developing a regular yoga practice?
Developing Focus
Our society is full of distractions and it’s difficult to focus for any length of time, especially for children. Yoga teaches kids to be present, to concentrate and breathe, ultimately to FOCUS. The act of practicing a pose encourages a child to learn how to be still in a society that doesn’t organically encourage stillness or quiet. The ability to intentionally focus will trickle into other areas of life, helping kids listen with attention and make good decisions in academics and relationships.
Refining Balance
Balance is a key component of any truly effective yoga experience. Achieving balance while posing is a struggle for many beginning practitioners. For this reason, children will be filled with a sense of accomplishment as they learn to improve their physical balance.
While practicing yoga, kids experience a physical expression of the idea of balance in all areas of life. A simple act like equal stretching on both sides of the body, can exhibit the need to find balance in the busyness of life with equivalent amounts of quiet time and relaxation. In addition, balance is another element of the yoga practice that can help kids deal with the stress of living in a chaotic world where constant stimulation is “normal”.
Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem
Yoga teaches kids to persevere, be patient, and work towards goals. As kids guide their bodies through poses, they learn more about their bodies and its true capabilities. In addition, kids learn more about their minds, and how they can affect not only their own attitudes and approaches to life, but also the attitudes of others. Mastering a new post instills confidence in a child and naturally boosts self-esteem as the limitations they were grappling with are now reduced.
Enhancing Relationships
The interaction that occurs in a kid’s yoga class is fun to observe as the children become aware of each other, help each other and work together. At its core, kid’s yoga encourages compassion, generosity, and respect. Classes are organized to help the child recognize they not only have the power to change themselves internally, but control how they interact with the world around them.
At Yoga Body Shop, Yoga 4 Kids is offered every Sunday morning for children ages 5-10. Yoga 4 Kids is based on Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences to stimulate and create a matrix for learning. Class begins with a greeting game and creating a positive affirmation such as “I am awesome.” Fun yoga props are incorporated, including blocks, blankets, aerial silks, therapy balls, and foam rollers. It is no surprise that kids LOVE toys!
The Yoga Body Shop community is inspiring people (and kids!) with great energy and simply great yoga. Yoga 4 Kids at Yoga Body Shop will help your children gain respect for themselves, develop a strong healthy body, and step into a place of self-confidence. So what are you waiting for, sign up the littles in your life here.