Yoga for children – fun with a twist
Movement is essential for growing bodies. And yoga is a timeless, time-tested and practical technique for developing both mind and body.
Fun with a twist
Many yoga asanas were derived by observing nature and some of them imitate the spirit of animals such as the lion, cat and dog. They also represent parts of the environment such as the mountain, tree, sun – aiming to imbibe their natural grace and qualities.
Benefits
Practicing yoga regularly in the early years helps develop better mental concentration, co-ordination, flexibility, strength, postural awareness and breathing habits. Yoga also balances the functioning of the body’s glandular system and the chakras – the body’s spiritual energy centres.
Start them young
Introducing children to yoga asanas as an activity that is fun and entertaining helps channel their natural energy to a fitter body.
Did you know?
Yoga poses can be performed to either slow down or energize the system. For example;
A hyperactive child can be encouraged to practice breathing exercises or relaxation poses. A child who prefers a sedentary way of life can be encouraged to practice energetic poses to boost the metabolism.
From ages three to six
Right from the age of three you can introduce yoga to children. In this young age group, tremendous physical and mental development is constantly taking place. Be inventive – think of simple stories or use their favourite story books to incorporate the different animal or object poses.
• Animal poses and story telling workouts keep kindergarten-age children entertained.
From ages seven to twelve
From this age onwards the yoga session can be more structured. Dynamic asanas, in which a series of different poses put together, such as the salute to the sun, can be introduced.
• Dynamic poses boost strength in older children.
From ages thirteen upwards
Older children have a longer attention span, more stamina and endurance to attempt poses such as the candle pose. This is also a good time to introduce simple breathing exercises to improve their concentration and lung capacity.
• You can now include more challenging poses based on their fitness ability.
Asana practice
These poses invigorate body and mind, stretch the spine and stimulate the internal organs allowing better energy flow.
Tree pose (improves concentration, balance and posture)
Stand upright. Bend your right leg and place your foot on the inside of the left leg. Take your palms overhead into a namaste position; this pose resembles a tree. Hold for a few seconds and then switch legs.
Butterfly pose (increases mobility of the hip joints and stretches the inner thigh)
Sit with your legs outstretched on the mat. Bend your knees and bring your feet in towards you as close as possible. Bring the soles of your feet together. Keep your spine straight and lifted and gently move your legs down and up; this movement resembles a butterfly as it flaps its wings.
Bow pose (keeps the spine supple and stretches front of the body)
Lie on your mat on your abs. bend your knees and hold your ankles or feet with your hands. Lift your chest and legs off the floor. This pose imitates a bow.
The cobra pose (massages ab muscles and strengthens the spine)
Lie on your mat on your abs. place your palms below your shoulders. Now slowly lift your head and chest and arch your back. Try not to place too much weight on your hands, but use your back muscles to lift your chest up. This pose resembles a cobra.
The cat pose (releases spinal stress)
Start on all fours like a cat on your mat. Place your hands directly below your shoulders. Now lift your tailbone up toward the ceiling so that your lower back is concave. As you do this your head will lift up naturally toward the ceiling. Now round your back like the hump of a camel and roll your head toward your chest. Make the movements as fluid as possible.
Tags: childrens yoga, yoga asanas for kids, yoga exercises for kids, yoga for children, yoga for kids, yoga lessons for kids, yoga poses for children
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