for children

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benefits for kids of all ages (or click for benefits for teens)

Why should kids do yoga? As parents, you dredge through many activities for your children. How do you choose what is best? What should be a priority? How, in a typical harried week, do you make sure they have a balance between fun and other beneficial experiences, maybe even with long-term benefits? Fortunately, there's yoga for your kids (and you, if you want to feel good too)! It's fun, it's active and it's calming - while subtly infusing a sense of self-worth.

Through the physical practice, yoga nurtures flexibility and freedom of movement and grows corresponding self-confidence. Yoga gives kids healthy bodies and minds and develops their radiant little selves. Unfortunately, kids are not immune to stress - and they're surrounded by it once they merge into society - whether going to school or playing sports. In nurturing contrast, yoga provides a safe, secure non-competitive environment, a joyful space to be, and a chance for much needed relaxation. Plus, it gives them valuable tools they can use now and in the future.

So what goes on in a kids' yoga class? First, yoga gives kids a chance to experience being in the body and the spectrum of amazing things we can do… stretch, jump, be quiet/loud, balance, twist, bend, rest, be alone or in a group, focus, be strong and flexible, sing, play and be upside down. Yoga is one of the best activities for kids. A child can come into class tired, frustrated, hot, hyperactive and - wherever they are - yoga practice begins. Yoga gives them the gift of joy and discovery of being vitally alive. They notice and connect with their breath, which is their life! (When is the last time you took a long, deep breath like a child-with awe at the amazing creatures we are?)

Second, yoga is non-competitive. Unlike sports or learning an instrument or playing video games, yoga does not encourage competition, nor does it put pressure on children to do more, do better, or go faster. During a yoga class, kids pay attention to how their own bodies move. It's fun as they try different poses, developing self-awareness and recognition of their strengths and of where they can improve -- without self-judgment or comparison -- one of the best ways to build children's self-confidence. Yoga's positive reinforcement provides a framework for them to see positive shifts without the pressure of needing to change.

Finally, yoga gives children a chance to be mindful, get perspective and rest. All of us, all the time, in the city, in our busy lives in this modern world are over-stimulated. Stress --noise, crowded buses, carrying heavy bags, working on computers, driving around the city, having to rush to get places, not eating so well, too much television, pressure to do better-- all tax our nervous systems. Kids are no different! On the spectrum of quiet relaxation to fight-and-flight response, our nervous systems tend to be more on the stressed side most of the time. Constant stress increases heart rate, blood flow, breathing and brain activity. It increases production of cortisol and other chemicals in the body, which in a true danger situation is good, but over time consistently drains and stresses the body and the mind, taxing our nervous systems and likely decreases immunity.

So, after your son or daughter practices yoga poses, laughs and discovers new things about their bodies, there's relaxation. A time of lying down gives an experience of the goodness and relief of quiet restfulness, stimulating the calming parasympathetic nervous system. In addition to feeling wonderful, it renews balance in the body systems and mind. Relaxation teaches children the value of quietly breathing and of focusing on what is going on within them versus what the world asks them to focus on. Believe it or not -- kids, even with hyperactivity challenges, love this experience! Relaxation and yoga breath work gives kids (and us) tools to focus on our bodies in this moment and perspective that allows us to calm down when upset or overtaxed.

What should you tell your children about yoga? That class will start with sitting in a circle, maybe a name game, listening to a bell, breathing or singing, then we'll do stretches and poses to warm-up, a series of poses around a theme (like rainforest, circus, back to school). At the end is a nice relaxation with soft music or a guided visualization (like walking on the beach and seeing starfish). They might even get a foot massage. Class can also include non-competitive yoga games, songs, short meditations or chants, artwork or a chance for them to teach a pose to their peers. All types of kids love yoga and can do yoga. We hope your children will have the opportunity to experience this gift of yoga as well as the health, balance and radiance it brings to their lives now and in the future.

benefits for teens

teens face...

immense changes in body’s chemistry and physiology, internal organs growing
imbalances show as mood swings
peer pressure in their lives, concern with looks
body aches from carrying heavy books and hormonal imbalances during maturation

teens...

are sensitive adults
want to build body structure, and inner & outer strength
would like improved concentration
benefit from breathing/relaxation

Benefits of yoga are immense for teens!

physical benefits

increased flexibility, tendons and ligaments, helps since as we get taller our bones grow faster than muscles which means muscles feel tight (or we can’t touch our toes when we reach down)
balance/strength of varied muscle groups, for boys - increase strength of legs and balance arm and leg strength; for girls – strengthen back and chest muscles to support growing breasts
eases tension of tight muscles & strengthens bones
healthy organs, despite diet changes and over-stimulation of nerves
understand where body is in space/coordination
confidence to stand tall and be proud

energetic benefits

balanced levels of energy
learning to work with breath > self-regulation & relaxation
relieves tension (for example, in hands and wrists from writing so much at school)

mental benefits

gives ability to focus and to calm down when upset by someone or something
noncompetitive! community, fun/experiential
increases awareness and ability to look within, more self trust and ability to think for self
peace & self-confidence during changes