WHY CHILDREN’S YOGA?

Children are under more stress than ever before, so practicing yoga is beneficial in many ways.  First, it helps support their physical, mental and emotional health. The postures exercise the body and help with physical coordination. Meditation and breathwork help little yogis become more present and regulate their emotions, as well as increase their focus and problem solving skills. In addition, when children practice yoga, it gives them the opportunity to play and express themselves, which can increase their self-confidence and encourage the awareness of their inner selves.  

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BRINGING YOGA TO SCHOOLS?

Practicing yoga at school can positively impact students, from supporting their overall health, to helping their capacity to learn. Unfortunately many children struggle in school, whether its stress around their academics, their social life, or their ability to adapt and change in a busy environment. By practicing yoga sometime during the school day, students have the opportunity to exercise, breathe deeply and process any difficult emotions they may be facing. In addition, yoga promotes a student's ability to focus and concentrate, which is beneficial when learning new material in school, as well as help with right/left brain coordination, which improves their reading and writing skills.  Since yoga helps children with their mental and emotional health, it improves their social emotional learning, and as a result improves their relationships with teachers and peers.

IS YOGA HELPFUL FOR NEURODIVERGENT CHILDREN?

Absolutely! Yoga can support children with many different diagnoses, ranging from developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADD/ADHD, and cerebral palsy (CP) to name a few. Benefits of yoga for neurodivergent children include visual learning, a space to express themselves without words, improvements in body awareness and concentration, strengthening weak muscles and calming the central nervous system.

HOW IS CHILDREN’S YOGA DIFFERENT FROM AN ADULT CLASS?

A children’s yoga class will look a little different from an adult class. While yoga helps promote relaxation and stress relief for both groups, children also play during yoga.  This is a great opportunity for them to express themselves and “be a kid” in a world where there is so much expected of them. A typical children’s yoga class will begin with taking some deep breaths, then practicing yoga, followed by relaxation, and meditation if appropriate. The class will end with either songs, games or a craft, followed by a good-bye song. Depending on the age level, the time spent practicing yoga will range differently.  In a three-five year old class, children will practice yoga for 15 minutes, followed by songs and games.  For a teen yoga class, children are able to practice yoga for 45 minutes to an hour and meditate for around 15 minutes.  

WHAT IS FAMILY YOGA?

Practicing yoga as a family is a great way to gain the benefits of yoga while bonding and connecting with each other.  Whether you are practicing yoga as partners (i.e. parent/child) or as a whole family, there is an opportunity for shared learning, trust and cooperation. And it is a great way to just have fun!  

CAN CHILDREN REALLY MEDITATE?

Yes!  Meditation helps people become aware and present with their inner world, and that is a wonderful gift to give to children. For children as young as 3, meditation can be done through singing songs with positive affirmations (i.e. “I am Happy, I am Good”) or can be taught breathwork using visual cues and their imagination (i.e. “Smell the flowers, then blow out the candles.”)  Older children can practice sitting for one minute of stillness, then slowly build the time according to the child and age level. As they develop a consistent practice, they can enjoy many different types of meditation, including visualization, body scan and various forms of breathwork.