Yoga for Kids
Believe it or not, Yoga is becoming a popular exercise choice for children. Evidence shows that it greatly benefits a child’s growth.
Physically, Yoga develops a child’s strength, stamina, flexibility and coordination. Yoga also relieves body stress and helps reduce the risk of getting injuries when doing physical sports. In general, Yoga develops a stronger and healthier body.
Although the physical Benefits are obvious, Yoga enhances a child’s personality as well. Beyond physical endurance, Yoga more importantly develops a child’s self-esteem, confidence, creativity, and imagination. Moreover, kids get to meet new friends when attending Yoga classes, further developing their social skills.
Several Yoga programs designed for kids have mushroomed all over the United States. Some schools have even begun integrating it in physical education classes. Yet, despite the diverse options, parents considering children’s Yoga may not know where to begin.
Do kids need Yoga?
Research dispels the popular notion that Yoga is only for adults, as it actually lets kids be kids. Yoga allows children to thrive and excel within a noncompetitive and carefree environment. Before deciding on enrolling a child, it would be helpful to understand the aim of Yoga Exercises. Although different Yoga Postures have specific purposes, the general objective of Yoga centers is the appreciation for all living things. One of the aspects of children’s Yoga involves visualization exercises that require kids to imitate living things. As they animate themselves as plants and animals, they gain a better understanding of the oneness of nature - of the similarity of living things.
Although some children have been enrolled in Yoga to combat attention deficiency disorders, Yoga is not limited to specific personality types. Beyond combating stress and curbing attention disorders, Yoga is a great exercise for kids because it develops their self-respect and teaches them how to find balance in their lives - definitely something all kids need.
Young yogis
There are different Yoga programs designed for different ages. Children as young as three weeks old can perform Yoga with their parents. Independently, they can start as young as two years old. Some say, however, that it is best begun at the age of seven.
The right fit
There are different kinds of Yoga programs designed for kids. They range from serious sessions to playful classes. It is important for the parents to find a class that their child will feel comfortable in. Yoga requires a child’s trust in order to let his defenses down. Shana Meyerson, founder of Mini Yogis Yoga Los Angeles, recommends that parents let their kids attend a trial session before enrolling them for a class. It is important for the teacher to be loving, gentle, nurturing, and to exercise a great rapport with the students. It is therefore advisable for the parents and the child to get to know the teacher first before deciding.
Although Yoga has been popularly regarded as a stress buster, children do not necessarily understand the concept of stress. At least, not in the way that adults do. Through being young yogis, they might not even have to experience stress in their lifetime at all. Engaging kids through Yoga is a must. The world could definitely use one more yogi.
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