Yoga has been practiced since ancient India and is also known as the “science of mind and body.” It’s no wonder that Yoga has become one of the most popular forms of exercise in recent years. The physical benefits alone, such as improved strength and flexibility, are typically well-documented; however, there are many more benefits to be found in Yoga for children, and that’s what you will learn in this article.
Yoga for kids is not only for those with special needs or growing faster than their peers. Children of all ages often practice Yoga. It is safe, healthy, and physically beneficial. They can benefit from their attention by being around other children practicing Yoga, especially during the breaks between sessions.
This article will introduce you to the top 8 benefits of Yoga that are important to know about before beginning your practice with your child.
What is Yoga?
At its most basic level, Yoga is about finding balance and harmony within your mind and body. You can apply this skill to many aspects of your life, including your relationships with others. Yoga can be a great way to help children to develop emotional stability and develop better communication skills. It promotes stress management and emotional control, which are two very important factors in building self-confidence. Another important aspect of Yoga is learning about body posture. The correct posture allows the body’s energy system to flow smoothly throughout the body. Posture helps prevent injury by keeping the body in working order.
Why Do Kids Need Yoga as Much as We Do?
Yoga is just as important for children as it is for adults. One of our biggest fears is letting our kids go out into the world to face the trials and tribulations that are sure to come their way. But by being involved in activities that promote self-confidence and self-esteem, kids will gain the tools they need to be ready for the challenges they will face in life. Yoga is an effective way to help kids learn to control their bodies and minds.
Yoga for kids is a great way to nurture and develop their physical and mental health and social skills. Practicing Yoga with your kids will help them build the confidence needed to face whatever life throws at them. Because of the proven benefits of Yoga, many Montessori Preschools are integrating Yoga into their curriculum.
Yoga for Kids in Montessori Preschools
Preschool providers like Montessori Academy of California believe that Yoga practice is important for all ages. In Montessori preschools, the daily routine is designed to provide children with an environment that helps them develop both their physical and cognitive skills. At this age, children are still developing to focus on a task for a prolonged period. It means that distraction from their environment can have a serious impact on the development of brain function. As a result, it’s important to provide them with activities that will help them focus and develop their motor skills. For example, Montessori preschools typically encourage their teachers and staff to perform yoga postures and stretches with the children. They also give them puzzles and building blocks to use as props for some basic poses.
8 Essential Benefits of Yoga for Kids
1. Helps Kids Manage Their Anxiety
The relaxation techniques and breathing exercises practiced during Yoga can help kids to manage their anxiety. It helps them to stay calm and focused during stressful events. Your child will learn how to control his breathing and slow down his heart rate by practicing Yoga.
2. Improves Kids’ Emotional Regulation
Yoga improves emotional regulation by helping children to identify and process the emotions that they feel. Many children go through stages of emotional outbursts, and parents and teachers need to help them learn how to process these emotions properly. Yoga teaches children to use their breathing to regulate their emotions. By practicing deep breathing, kids can slow down their heart rate and lower their blood pressure. They will also learn how to use the power of positive thinking to control their emotional states.
3. Boosts Kids’ Self-Esteem
By practicing Yoga regularly, kids will develop a stronger sense of self-esteem. It helps them understand that they have the power within themselves to change their lives for the better. Yoga helps kids to feel that they are capable of controlling their minds and bodies.
4. Enhances Kid’s Body Awareness and Mindfulness
The practice of Yoga helps kids to become more aware of their bodies. While performing Yoga poses, children can learn how to control their muscles and joints. They also learn to focus on one body part at a time, which increases the awareness of their body in relation to its surroundings.
5. Increases Kids’ Memory and Concentration
Yoga helps children to stay focused and improve their memory. The ability to concentrate and focus is an important aspect of academic achievement. Yoga helps kids to build this skill by teaching them to focus on one task at a time.
6. Boosts Kids Strength and Flexibility
Yoga strengthens the muscles of the body. The more kids practice Yoga poses, the better they get at building flexibility and strength in their muscles. They will learn to control their movements which will help them to improve movement skills in many other areas of their lives.
7. Teaches Kids Discipline and Reduces Impulsivity
By practicing Yoga, kids will develop strong self-discipline. They’ll learn how to control their bodies and minds, reducing their levels of impulsivity and frustration. It will help children to respond appropriately during stressful events.
8. Leads to Better Sleep
Practicing Yoga helps children to sleep better. By learning how to relax their minds, kids will sleep faster and stay asleep longer. Children also learn how their bodies feel when they are fully rested. It will help them improve their sleeping habits over time.
9. Boosts Immunity
Yoga is an excellent way to build immunity. In the practice of Yoga, children will learn how to relax their bodies and minds so that their immune systems can function optimally.
10. Increases Energy Levels
Yoga helps children to build physical and mental energy. It strengthens the body through the practice of Yoga poses and breathing techniques. It will give children more energy to focus on whatever activities they pursue, whether schoolwork or sports.
Given that children are naturally curious and open to new experiences, Yoga offers a wide range of physical and emotional benefits for children to discover and learn about. However, many children probably have never heard of Yoga, let alone practiced Yoga at home. And if you are thinking of starting Yoga with your child or planning to enroll in a yoga class. You need to explain to them beforehand what Yoga is. To give you an idea of how you can effectively explain Yoga to a child. You may consider the following ways.
5 Ways to Explain Yoga to a Child
1. Make It Fun – The best way to get children to learn about Yoga is to present it in a fun way. Use rewards for achievements, Incorporate fun phrases, and get children to interact. You can explain the different Yoga poses with props. For instance, this pose is called the tree pose. Use a tree figurine to explain how it is done.
2. Tell Them That There Is A Pose For Most Things In This World – Children are naturally curious, and they will want to know why you are doing these yoga poses. Tell them some fun facts about the poses that you are doing. Once done, you can tell your child that there is a pose for most things in this world. For example, if you ask them about their favorite animal, you can tell them that the pose for their favorite animal is the “Horse Pose.”
3. Use Language that Children Can Understand – Explaining Yoga requires you to use language that they are familiar with. You can try to think of fun terms yourself that are easy for kids to understand. For instance, when teaching breathing techniques, say the term “breath like a bunny.”
4. Explain To Kids The Physical Fitness And Health Benefits – You can explain to your child that Yoga is a very good exercise for them to stay fit physically. Tell them that the postures are good for their health and make them stronger with time.
5. Show How You Can use Yoga to Feel Calmer and Less Frustrated – Another way to let your child know that Yoga can help them relax whenever they feel angry or frustrated. You can even show them some videos where adults are doing Yoga while their children are taking part in the practice.
Final Thoughts
Yoga for kids is a great way to help them develop a better understanding of their bodies. In addition, it enhances kids’ ability to focus their attention, giving them the chance to succeed in other areas of life.
Yoga for Kids is not just doing exercises; it is about how it develops the child’s whole personality. When you practice Yoga with your kid, you are helping him develop physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The benefits of Yoga for kids are wide-ranging, and it is no surprise that many Montessori preschools have begun offering yoga classes for kids. Montessori Academy is one of the leading Montessori preschools in California, offering Yoga classes for kids to promote holistic growth in every child’s life.
If you want to know more about our teaching principles in Montessori Academy, you can visit our website at montessori-academy.com or get in touch with us.
