5 Benefits of Yoga for Kids

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Modern life puts a great deal of pressure on kids. They have to deal with the ever-increasing stress of keeping their grades up at school and doing their best. Across much of the world, schools are closed and families are largely restricted to their homes due to the pandemic restrictions. The associated anxiety is a real concern.

It is no news that Yoga and Mindfulness has an impact in combating Anxiety – and it is also known that physical exercise and meditation practices are beneficial to calm the mind and boost neurotransmitters to release all these beautiful happy-hormones.

Children’s yoga takes a holistic approach to health and wellness. Yoga and mindfulness provides so many benefits including supporting learning, healing, stress release.  The practice of yoga has been explored for thousands of years.  The benefits to body and mind, that have been noticed and recorded, are vast. But if you are new to yoga: here’s how your kids could benefit from the stretches, breathing exercises, and mind-body connections yoga has to offer.

Flexibility, Strength, and Balance

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The movements practiced in a yoga class (called poses, asanas) are much more than just stretching. They increase flexibility of the spine, strengthening bones and stimulating the circulatory and immune systems. Along with proper breathing, these poses or shapes also calm the mind and reduce stress. Yoga introduces children to moving muscles in new ways and challenges them to become more aware of each body part.

Focus and Concentration

Not only does yoga have physical benefits, but also it has a tremendous amount of mental benefits. One of the most important elements to a good practice is clearing the mind and focusing on the task. Even if a pose is difficult, children learn to breathe through it and stay calm and concentrated. These concentration techniques can be transferred to a school environment, where kids may find it easier to stay focused on their work, and in turn, get better grades.

Breathing, emotional development and awareness

Yogic breathing increases lung capacity, as well as strengthening and toning the entire respiratory and nervous systems. Deepening the breath brings more oxygen to the body through the blood stream. We may take it for granted, but breathing is one of the most important foundations of our wellbeing. If you can teach a child to be aware of their breath they will ultimately become more in control of their emotions and overall wellbeing. These are everyday tools for calming the child to help develop a state of relaxed awareness, which is crucial for learning. Yoga gives you the super power on being calm so kids can get better at school.

Yoga most importantly …. its great FUN!!

The positions of yoga, or asanas, derive from the observation of nature. Yogis have studied animals, observing how they move, how they breathe, or how they relax. Many positions imitate or represent animals, such as the dog, the cat, the lion … Others take the surrounding environment as a model, from the trees to the mountains, making us appreciate the grace of these wonders of nature. It’s easy to see why yoga can be fun for kids. Children who learn yoga at an early age have a healthy head start in life. Children can easily learn these techniques, and when learned young, they become lifelong tools.

Self-Esteem and Self-Empowerment

In addition to awareness, yoga poses are meant to teach sense of self. When a child has worked hard to finally master a pose, it gives him or her confidence and a boost of self-esteem. These values can be taken off the mat as well, as the child learns that hard work can pay off and the effort is worth it in any situation.

Do you need more information? Please don’t esitate to contact me. I’m avalailable for schools and families.