The world of yoga has grown to be incredibly popular over the years. It has become the forefront of the wellness movement, using its incredible practice to connect body, mind, breath and soul as one. Yoga (meaning union or yoke) works to integrate every part of our being through the practice of being present. There are many ways in which to explore this, but be assured that a yoga practice offers a safe place to do so - free from any expectation or judgement. Yoga has a multitude of benefits, and the good news is that yoga is for everybody. And that includes kids!
So why should kids get into yoga? Here are just some of the benefits yoga has to offer:
Physical Benefits
Improves flexibility. Yoga opens up the body in many ways, using lengthening, twisting, strengthening and relaxation to create physical space. If kids work into their flexibility from a young age, they will thank themselves later in life!
Develops strength. Classes offer a variety of poses which activate and strengthen many different muscles. Kids can start to understand which muscles support what movements, and build their strength intelligently.
Body Awareness. Learning yoga poses and flows allows kids to get to know their bodies. It encourages focusing the mind into the body, understanding how things work and what you are capable of.
Helps with posture. By being aware of your physicality you begin to notice your postural habits - those which are good, and those which are less good! When we have great posture we are in alignment, and there is no extra strain or tension around the body. Yoga helps kids recognise this, and provides tools to strengthen and lengthen muscles until they feel good.
Improves the digestive system. With poses that twist you up in all kinds of ways, you will increase circulation around the gut to improve overall digestive health.
Child doing headstand on sofa
Mindfulness
Learning how to deal with stress and anxiety. By learning relaxation exercises and breathing patterns, kids will begin to find tools that can bring them to a calmer state. It can take a while to find a place of calm for any of us, but we recommend using these learned techniques when they feel stressed. Click here for just one example of a breathing technique that could help relieve stress.
Building compassion and empathy. Firstly for themselves, and then for everybody else. A yoga practice is a noncompetitive and nonjudgemental space, where we learn to speak kindly to ourselves. The movement we take allows us to explore our bodies, embracing what feels good and embracing what we find more challenging. We create an internal dialogue of love and compassion, accepting how our body is is that day. Once we find this language, we take it into all our interactions.
Practising being present. Allowing kids to bring their focus to the here and now. When we bring our attention to the present moment it can put our mind at ease. Practicing being present means we leave behind the worries of the past and let go of stress about the future.
Other benefits
Improves concentration. We want the kids to remain focused and engaged for as long as possible, teaching them to keep their minds attentive to the task at hand. Depending on how long the session is, their attention might dip in and out. This is totally normal! But the more they practice, the more they will learn to hone their attention.
Improves memory. The repetition of poses works on memorisation skills, building up a library of more and more poses as their experience grows. There is no doubt this is a useful development for many areas in life. The poses will be learnt in a fun and engaging way, often linking to animals and following creative story lines. Check out some examples of the poses here.
Self esteem. When a kid practises a pose and ends up mastering it, their confidence will start to build. A teacher will empower them by reminding each kid that it’s their hard work and effort that got them to this place.
Self expression. Using movement as a physical outlet for self expression. In yoga we always encourage people to feel good in their movement, meaning each pose will look and feel personal and unique. In a kids yoga class there will often be opportunities to explore their own creativity too, whether it’s inventing their very own pose or making a yoga adventure story, there is space to delve into individuality.
No equipment needed. You can do yoga with very little space and no equipment, making it accessible and a useful activity to call upon. If your kid needs a little entertainment, why not set them up with an online class here.
It’s fun! Yoga for kids is an interactive session which involves lots of play and exploration. They will quickly learn to love their yoga journey!
Mother and daughter doing yoga
So why not get your kids into yoga? There are plenty of ways to get them involved, either at home, at school or a club. At Moving Waves we are passionate about sharing the amazing affects of yoga with everyone. We offer yoga classes for schools and nurseries, tailoring a session specifically to the age group. This way kids can enjoy delving into the practice with their friends, keeping it fun and explorative. It’s a great way to break up the school day with some mindfulness, giving them a chance to reset through an active session. For information about all of our clubs, please click here.
We also offer yoga parties! If you want one led from your own home then look no further - our facilitators will come prepared with an engaging and fun filled journey, giving a special focus to the birthday person. Click here for more information on parties. Alternatively, if you want a private session for your little one feel free to enquire about an online class to info@movingwaves.org
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get those kids moving! If you have any further questions about the benefits of yoga for kids, or how to get them involved, we could love to hear from you. Contact us via Instagram, Twitter or Facebook! Let’s keep the conversation going.
