Yoga and Fitness World

Not every child is good at sports and it's sometimes difficult to know how to get your children to exercise, when you know they don't enjoy competing. Forcing children into competitive situations can be damaging to their self-confidence and reinforce their dislike of exercise of any kind. When your child isn't getting enough exercise, it can be quite a problem thinking of ways to get them away from the computer or T.V. Well, I want to tell you a little about the benefits of yoga for children and how it can help them to stay physically and mentally active.

Yoga differs from sports, the usual school activities or regular children's play principally because it is a non-competitive activity. There are no winners and losers in yoga and this can make it more appealing to a child who doesn't do very well in ball games and other sporting activities.

Children of school age sometimes feel overwhelmed by the amount of school work they have to do and by the variety of computer games they play, some of which cause over-stimulation and behavioral problems. Yoga is an excellent preparation for studying because it acts of the mind, as well as the body, to produce a calming and relaxing effect.

Yoga classes for children permit them to improve their sense of well-being through physical, mental and emotional balance which helps to develop their sense of spontaneity, creativity and communication.

In a yoga class children learn to understand and respect their body and to move with agility through the co-ordination of slow movements. This exercise strengthens the muscles and trains children into developing a good posture, as well as developing their attention span, concentration and memory. Yoga teaches good breathing habits and is useful in helping children with asthma to know how to control their breathing and anxiety during an attack.

Yoga classes for children differ from adult classes, because the child is in the moment of learning to be part of the world and how to deal with its highs and lows. In a children's class they are taught breathing exercises, physical postures known as Asanas, concentration exercises, visualization and relaxation, using games and stories as the way of teaching and learning.

In this way, whilst the children are enjoying the activities, they are also learning about co-operation, paying attention, body movement and ultimately the pleasure that can be gained from doing the right type of exercise for them. 

If you're finding it hard to get your child to exercise, why not try to find a yoga class in your area and help your child to discover the many benefits it can bring?

Five Things You Must Teach Your Children About Yoga 

  

1.       Yoga is FUN. Children are natural yogis. They like to stretch, play and move around, yet at the same time, when they are absorbed in an activity, they give it their full attention. When you teach your child yoga, make sure you keep it light. Most yoga poses are named after animals, so, when showing your child The Downward Dog Pose, woof like a dog and wag your tail.

2.       Yoga makes you STRONG. Learning to stand in your power, to feel your energy and roar like a lion in the Lion Pose or hiss like a snake in The Cobra Pose gives children an opportunity to safely express their inner emotions and release any internal frustrations they may have.

 

3.       Yoga helps you to RELAX. Your child spends a large part of their day being stimulated and taught new subjects. There is little time in the school curriculum and after-school activities for your child to rest and unwind. Just like adults your child needs quiet, down-time. Yoga relaxation exercises give your child the space and permission to relax and rest their minds. I remember teaching yoga to a class of highly activity boys aged 5. At the end of the relaxation period, one boy sat up and said "my brain cells have gone all quiet". He was amazed. Even at the tender age of five he could feel the difference 3 minutes relaxation made on his brain cells. 

  

4.       Yoga inspires CREATIVITY. Children love to put their own stamp or mark on a yoga pose. In a class of 10 children, you will get at least 5 variations of the Downward Dog pose and 5 different names of dogs. Your child will enjoy making up their own poses and shapes to share with you. 

  

5.       Yoga encourages SELF-LOVE. Yoga for Children is designed to foster within your child a sense of their own being ness and connection to the wider scheme of life. Guided visualisations practices help you child to tune into their inner power as well remind them that they are more than their physical body. Activities, like colouring in mandalas, playing yoga trust games and yoga songs all help to promote a strong sense of self and inner love within your child's heart. 

  

As you know, children are curious and keen to learn. The more your child sees you practice yoga, the easier it is for you to introduce and share the joys and benefits you gain with your child. Take it easy with your children, let them teach you! You may be surprised at what they can teach you. 

Children can also enjoy the benefits of yoga as a fun way to develop skills in a non-competitive environment. Yoga has become a powerful technique for kids to start moving their bodies in ways they can to help them feel and look good. Even if the kids have a normal weight, they can still practice yoga to gain flexibility and endurance and become stronger as well.

The children can learn the yoga breathing exercises to help them relax and calm down whenever they are mad at a playmate. Teenagers can as well learn yoga to concentrate in an exam, while older kids can learn the skills in yoga to have an improvement to competitive athletics and performance.

Everyone can introduce your children to yoga by enrolling them to a yoga class. It is a great way to push them to a healthy lifestyle as they grow mentally, physically, and spiritually, though you must first consult your doctor before engaging your kids to a yoga program.

The practice of yoga as we all know involves stretching and making the body form in a variety of poses while controlling a slow and controlled breathing. Your kids will feel an energized body and at the same time they will feel very relaxed. The yoga varieties deals with the poses and movements of the body with regards to the stimulation of brain and tissues, it is like a workout or physical exercise.

Some of the benefits of yoga for kids includes the increase of self esteem and ability to relax, decreases anxiety, promotes focus, attention and concentration, advances trust, teamwork, compassion and leadership, improves digestion and lessens gas pains and releases stress. Yoga for kids also strengthens their immune system and improves flexibility and strength.

Overall, engaging your kids with yoga gives them a healthy lifestyle which they will enjoy at the same time.