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