Benefits of Yoga for Kids

Here are 6 Reasons I find Yoga to be very beneficial for kids. I have seen so much improvement in my own children and our quality of life has also improved as a result. They can carry this knowledge with them throughout their life and continue to expand on it as the years pass.

1. Increases Flexibility - This is one of the most obvious consequences for both children and adults. The more you stretch, the more you will find space throughout your body. I notice my kids constantly flipping and twisting, among many other bodily movements, and when they are flexible, it helps them to keep their body more limber and intact. This way, they don't get hurt as easily and they are much more graceful.

2. Stretches the Imagination - Yoga is not only a body opener, it opens the mind as well. Actually, that was its original intent. My childrens' minds go from foggy and scatter-brained to more open-minded and clear-headed. They are exploring both the quiet of their mind and the fascinating poses. Many of the poses are simulating animals and inanimate objects they are familiar with: tree, mountain, cat, dog, cobra, butterfly, froggy... This can be pretty fun.

3. Improves Focus and Concentration - In addition to the expansion of their imagination, yoga stimulates their minds by increasing their ability to be present in the moment and attain a practiced focus, which is inevitabley found when doing yoga asanas. My oldest son had a lot of problems here, but since we have been practicing yoga and meditation with him, he is able to sit still and ground his body and mind much better. It has also improved his listening and remember skills. This worked wonders when years of everything else didn't work.

4. Expands Learning and Self-Discipline - As my son's listening skills have improved, his ability to learn and absorb everything has greatly improved, as well. He also exhibits much more initiative and responsibility in his decision-making skills. When a child is in tuned with his/her body and thus mind, they are much more in tune with outside stimulus and their own balanced perception of things.

5. Experiences Fun and Self-Awareness in a non-competitive way - Yoga is a self-challenge to constantly search for new space in both the body and mind. It does not pose a competition with others and it does not pose a competition with oneself. It's about surrendering to what this body feels and does, not fighting against it. There's no pressure, so it's really fun, especially for a blooming little mind. Self-awareness comes as children explore themselves with focus and openness. My son had a really hard time with flopping around and not really being aware of where he should be. However, over time yoga has helped him to steady his inner core and sense of balance. He is much more controlled with his movements and conscious of his actions.

6. Bridges a connection to Mother Nature - A lot of yoga brings you back to things like "rooting into the ground like a tree," "reaching for the sky," "sun salutation," "let any tension sink back into the earth," "breathin fresh air," "lotus comes from the muddiest of bogs".... catch my drift. There is a lot of visualization and connective tissue with nature in yoga. It's even cooler if you can even go out in the backyard and do it barefoot on the lawn; that would be ultimate.

Try it out. We love it. You might too. :o)

Namaste