| We don't generally consider children as having | | | | Yoga classes for children that take this |
| stressful lives, but when you think about how | | | | multi-disciplinary approach are indeed an excellent |
| busy they are and we are as well, always rushing | | | | learning experience. Kids are provided with the |
| around to school, sports, lessons and so on, we | | | | opportunity to explore their innate abilities across |
| can begin to appreciate that they are under | | | | many planes: linguistic, logical, visual, musical, |
| significant pressure. This can definitely have a | | | | kinesthetic, naturalistic, interpersonal and |
| negative effect on their lives in many areas. | | | | intrapersonal. |
| Yoga can help children deal with these pressures | | | | The great challenge in teaching kids is to be able |
| and learn techniques to help them to face life's | | | | to hold their attention. Fortunately, kids love to be |
| challenges more easily. Yoga is a noncompetitive | | | | in motion and they love to talk. They can do both |
| activity that can foster self-esteem and | | | | of these in a yoga class and they will love playing |
| awareness of one's body for youngsters. Kids can | | | | like various animals, trees, flowers, cobras and |
| learn methods for relaxation, inner peace and | | | | warriors. The instructor should allow them to let |
| self-health. This can help them develop | | | | go and roar in the lion pose, bark in the dog pose, |
| compassion and cooperation as opposed to | | | | meow in a cat stretch and hiss in a cobra. |
| opposition. | | | | Standard lessons can be integrated into a kids' |
| Physically, the benefits of practicing yoga for | | | | yoga class as well. Reciting their ABC's or |
| children range from improving flexibility to | | | | practicing counting their 123's can be a lot of fun |
| enhancing strength and coordination. Their sense | | | | while holding a pose. Children love the release of |
| of calmness, relaxation and concentration also | | | | making sounds and their yoga classes will allow |
| improve. | | | | them to connect an auditory experience to a |
| Many yoga poses derive their inspiration from | | | | physical sensation. Providing a responsive, creative |
| animals and plants. When children are given the | | | | and loving environment in a yoga class will help |
| opportunity to imitate the movements and | | | | children to discover the world on their own and is |
| sounds of nature, it is not only very enjoyable, | | | | an optimal method for instruction. Their minds can |
| but it also gives them the chance to experience, | | | | be engaged as they perform animal and nature |
| for example, the power of the lion, the grace of | | | | asanas to deepen their awareness. When they're |
| a swan, or the grounding of a tree. This | | | | snakes (Bhujangasana), invite them to really |
| introduces kids to the true essence of yoga: | | | | imagine that they're just a long spine with no |
| union, expression and honor for oneself and | | | | arms and legs. Could you still run or climb a tree? |
| others. | | | | In Tree Pose (Vrksasana), ask them to imagine |
| In teaching yoga to children, instructors have | | | | being a giant oak, with roots growing out of the |
| found that an interactive, multi-disciplinary | | | | bottoms of their feet. Could you stay in the same |
| approach works very well. The yoga asanas can | | | | position for 100 years? |
| be expanded upon to playing and imitating various | | | | The many benefits of yoga: stillness, balance, |
| plants and animals. This can be further explored | | | | flexibility, focus, peace, grace, connection, health |
| with storytelling, games, picture drawing and | | | | and well-being can be imparted to children in an |
| playing musical instruments. The children can | | | | interactive and pleasurable way that create the |
| appreciate the use of their bodies and minds and | | | | foundation for a life-long practice. Children will be |
| how they can interact in play. Their natural | | | | given the opportunity to express themselves and |
| tendency towards creativity and curiosity makes | | | | learn important principles such as reverence for |
| these classes fun and effective. | | | | life and the interdependence of all beings. |