yoga for kids
We don’t usually think of children as having a stressful life, but when you think about how busy they are and so are we, always rushing to school, sports, lessons, etc., we can begin to appreciate that they are under stress. significant stress. Pressure. This can definitely have a negative effect on their lives in many areas.
Yoga can help children deal with these pressures and learn techniques to help them deal with life’s challenges more easily. Yoga is a non-competitive activity that can build self-esteem and body awareness in young people. Children can learn methods for relaxation, inner peace, and personal health. This can help them develop compassion and cooperation instead of opposition.
Physically, the benefits of practicing yoga for children range from improving flexibility to improving strength and coordination. Your sense of calm, relaxation and concentration also improves.
Many yoga postures are inspired by animals and plants. When children are given the opportunity to imitate the movements and sounds of nature, it is not only great fun, but also gives them the opportunity to experience, for example, the power of the lion, the grace of a swan or the grounded. of a tree This introduces children to the true essence of yoga: union, expression and honor for oneself and for others.
When teaching yoga to children, instructors have found that an interactive, multidisciplinary approach works very well. Yoga asanas can be expanded to play and mimic various plants and animals. This can be explored further with storytelling, games, drawing and playing musical instruments. Children can appreciate the use of their bodies and minds and how they can interact in the game. Your natural tendency towards creativity and curiosity makes these classes fun and effective.
Yoga classes for kids that take this multidisciplinary approach are certainly a great learning experience. Children have the opportunity to explore their innate abilities on many levels: linguistic, logical, visual, musical, kinesthetic, naturalistic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal.
The great challenge of teaching children is to be able to maintain their attention. Fortunately, kids love to be on the go and they love to talk. They can do both in a yoga class and they will love to play as various animals, trees, flowers, cobras and warriors. The instructor should allow them to let go and roar in lion pose, bark in dog pose, meow in cat pose, and hiss in cobra.
Standard lessons can also be integrated into a children’s yoga class. Reciting the alphabet or practicing counting to 123 can be a lot of fun while holding a pose. Children love the liberation of making sounds and your yoga classes will allow them to connect an auditory experience with a physical sensation. Providing a receptive, creative, and loving environment in a yoga class will help children discover the world for themselves and is an optimal method of instruction. Their minds can be engaged while performing animal and nature asanas to deepen their awareness. When they are snakes (Bhujangasana), invite them to really imagine that they are just a long spine with no arms or legs. Could you still run or climb a tree? In Tree Pose (Vrksasana), have them imagine they are a giant oak tree, with roots growing from the soles of their feet. Could you stay in the same position for 100 years?
The many benefits of yoga: stillness, balance, flexibility, focus, peace, grace, connection, health and wellness can be imparted to children in an interactive and enjoyable way that creates the foundation for a lifelong practice. Children will have the opportunity to express themselves and learn important principles such as reverence for life and the interdependence of all beings.