Yoga for Children

Yoga is a fun way for children to exercise and develop important skills in a supportive, non-competitive environment. The yoga poses develop strength, coordination, flexibility and balance, but also better focus and concentration. Even at a young age, children often feel pressure at school socially as well as academically. It is easy for girls and boys to become overly self-critical and lose confidence particularly as they grow and change. Yoga is a great remedy, there is no judgement in a yoga class about how a child does a pose or plays a game. The nurturing atmosphere encourages children to relax and have fun.

 In yoga for kids classes there is a balance between spontaneity and structure, so that kids learn to listen to each other as well as express themselves creatively. I believe that kids learn best when having fun so yoga for kids classes interweave story, song, games and poses. 

For the younger child, they are brought on a magical yoga adventure on their mat where they visit foreign countries, learn a few key words in the native language, learn the native animal of that country and so forth. For the older children in the group they can practice partner yoga and acrobatic yoga.

The key benefits of Yoga are:

• Children learn without realising as it is fun!
• Improves strength and will increase flexibility and encourage weight loss
• Creates a lot of laughter
• Increases self-confidence and builds a positive self-image
• Teaches children how to relax and reduce stress increasing emotional strength
• Nourishes creativity
• Helps to balance body and mind
• Teaches self-acceptance and self-love
• Builds coordination and balance
• Better focus and concentration with their schoolwork
• Fortifies all bodily systems: the skeletal, nervous, circulatory, digestive, respiratory, hormonal and muscular systems
• Encourages co-operation and teamwork

Children can begin practicing yoga from the age of 3. It is also highly beneficial for children with additional needs and teenagers.