Teaching children the art of pranayama or Yogic breathing is one of the most effective tools a child gains from the practice of Yoga. Yogic breathing helps to ease stress, anxiety, depression, increase lung capacity, and ameliorate asthma attacks. Pranayama is also a tool that can be accessed anywhere at anytime, which gives children the ability to soothe themselves in times of emotional upset or anxiety.
Developing classes around a theme is another fun way to keep kids’ interest piqued. An animal theme might include a series of classes focusing on all of the animal poses, telling stories about animals, dressing up like animals, and becoming different animals through visualization exercises. You might even throw in some animal-themed snacks. Nature poses also fall into place nicely, as you talk about the animals’ habitats.
Kids Yoga allows a child to deal with daily stress. Each time a child enters a Yoga class for kids, he or she can close the door on negative feelings that stress overload brings. Children who attend Yoga classes have one common thread: Their parents care about their well being.
Be flexible with the yoga class format while teaching kids. Let the kids have as much fun as they are willing to have. Yoga teachers should keep the class loosely structured, allowing it to flow in any direction the kids take it. For example, if they are super engaged in a silly story, tell another one, even if it doesn’t quite follow your plan.
Specialized yoga instructor training for working with children is essential for working with youngsters. Children have a lot of energy…
Yoga practice for preschool children should be in short, 15-minute sessions. Explain some of the philosophies behind yoga in terms the children can easily understand. Encourage children to listen to their breathing, feel their muscles stretching, and begin to listen to their bodies while letting their minds be still. Yoga instructors will often create modified versions of the poses, or relate the poses to animals or nature, which the children can easily relate to. Instructors might also create an animated story where the children must act out certain parts with yoga poses.
How will Yoga change your child’s life? The difference could be, as simple as, keeping your child away from peer pressure that can lead to drug abuse, joining a gang, or another negative influence. Although, the answer is much deeper, Yoga will give any child the tools necessary to become a success in life.
Since children have a shorter attention span than adults, Yoga teachers can incorporate music, songs and games to help children see yoga as a fun activity while engaging in different poses (asanas) that will give them an overall sense of well-being. Yoga can teach children the importance of positive social behavior, such as teamwork and compassion because Yogic methods and philosophy work systematically toward creating happier and healthier children.
Simple, age appropriate yoga poses teach young children body awareness, and also improve muscle tone and motor skills. Preschoolers are still learning about balance and what their bodies can and cannot do. Yoga supports this type of learning.
Children need to socialize with other children in a nurturing environment. For these reasons, Yoga for children with asthma makes perfect…