Why it’s Beneficial to Introduce Yoga to our Kids
- By Yoga Studio Calgary
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- 04 Jun, 2018
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Adults who do yoga know the mental changes it can bring about, and of course science is showing the benefits of a regular yoga practice more and more every day. Yoga for children is an obvious extension, we want our children to grow up more balanced and more calm than we did,
so it’s not uncommon for yogis of any level to teach yoga to their kids at home. More schools are developing programs that implement yoga and meditation into their daily schedules to good effect as well. The research is showing that yoga in the classroom or at home has some
measurable benefits for kids’ behavior and well-being, especially for those who may not be getting enough emotional or psychological support at home.
Children deal with many distractions, temptations, overstimulation and peer pressure. Yoga helps kids to; develop body awareness, build concentration, manage stress with breathing techniques, increase confidence and positive self image and to learn to use their bodies in a healthy non competitive way. Yoga is a low cost, helpful tool that can have a positive impact on children.
What can make yoga particularly fun and interesting for children is when yogis developed the asanas thousands of years ago, they still lived close to the natural world and used plants and animals for inspiration. The grounded stature of tree pose, lion’s pose, the grace of a swan, or
turtle’s pose imitate the movements of nature, they have a chance to get inside another being and use their imagination to take on its qualities. When they assume the pose of the lion for example, they experience the power and behavior of the lion. Yoga presented in a child’s language can make it fun and engaging while countering stress experienced by little ones in todays world. These physical movements introduce kids to yoga’s true meaning: union, joining the individual self with the Divine or Universal Spirit.
so it’s not uncommon for yogis of any level to teach yoga to their kids at home. More schools are developing programs that implement yoga and meditation into their daily schedules to good effect as well. The research is showing that yoga in the classroom or at home has some
measurable benefits for kids’ behavior and well-being, especially for those who may not be getting enough emotional or psychological support at home.
Children deal with many distractions, temptations, overstimulation and peer pressure. Yoga helps kids to; develop body awareness, build concentration, manage stress with breathing techniques, increase confidence and positive self image and to learn to use their bodies in a healthy non competitive way. Yoga is a low cost, helpful tool that can have a positive impact on children.
What can make yoga particularly fun and interesting for children is when yogis developed the asanas thousands of years ago, they still lived close to the natural world and used plants and animals for inspiration. The grounded stature of tree pose, lion’s pose, the grace of a swan, or
turtle’s pose imitate the movements of nature, they have a chance to get inside another being and use their imagination to take on its qualities. When they assume the pose of the lion for example, they experience the power and behavior of the lion. Yoga presented in a child’s language can make it fun and engaging while countering stress experienced by little ones in todays world. These physical movements introduce kids to yoga’s true meaning: union, joining the individual self with the Divine or Universal Spirit.
Inhale: 1-2-3-4-5. Exhale: 1-2-3-4-5. If you’ve been doing breathing exercises to feel calmer, happier, and more focused, you know how soothing yoga is.
Despite being an ancient practice, yoga has become increasingly popular, and for good reason. It is suitable for people of all ages and effective for treating chronic conditions.
Interestingly, scientists have discovered that this practice has several mental health benefits. Let’s explore the relationship between yoga and well-being, as well as the evidence-based benefits of yoga.
Winter is here, it is that time of the year again when waking up early and practicing yoga becomes a difficult task and mostly ends up compromising it for an hour of extra sleep. But there are lesser-known facts about why we should practice yoga during winters and how it benefits us.
Spring is nature’s rebirth. Every year, when the soft green buds and the delicate pink blossoms appear on the cherry trees, we are given the opportunity to renew ourselves. In our yoga practice, this can be through a physical detox, a mental reboot or both.
So, it’s THAT time of year again. The cards are out, flowers and chocolates in the shops, and the candlelit tables are all booked up weeks in advance. With good reason, many of us find it all rather superficial and insincere. Perhaps some of us might join the cynical chorus asking why we need a specific day to express our affection for someone else. We may even go as far as to accuse the the forces of capitalism of driving demand for “stuff”. But I’m not here to monologue on the meaningfulness of St. Valentine’s Day, and I’m certainly not here to criticise anyone for wanting to express themselves or to show affection for someone else (we all need to be doing this more, not less).
Can yoga reduce anxiety?Yes! Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of yoga in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. In one study, women who participated in a three-month yoga program experienced significant improvements in perceived stress, anxiety, and depression. In another study, ten weeks of yoga helped reduce stress and anxiety for participants.
Happy New Year yogis! I’ve often found this time of year to be especially powerful in enhancing my yoga practice. Of course, yoga is always a powerful practice, but the gift of the new year brings deep reflection and introspection that can amplify processes of self-inquiry, expanding our spiritual awareness and commitment to yogic living.
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