It's difficult being a kid in today’s world.
Children deal with many distractions, temptations, overstimulation and peer pressure. They live in a hurry-up world of busy parents, school pressures, incessant lessons, video games, malls, and competitive sports. We usually don't think of these influences as stressful for our kids, but often they are. The bustling pace of our children's lives can have a profound effect on their innate joy—and usually not for the better. Schools are challenged to do more with less and be creative in how they reach even the most isolated child.
Yoga is fast becoming one of the most popular complementary health practices, with over 1.7 million children and teens practicing yoga-- a number that has grown by 400,000 in the last decade. Many schools are now offering movement and mindfulness programs to help reduce stress, improve mood, and promote physical fitness. Yoga during this formative period is useful for developing healthy exercise habits in general as well as strength, flexibility, and balance. It can also give children very important life skills that can help them succeed in the world.
Overall, yoga can have a positive impact on children’s well-being:
1) Yoga improves strength and breath control
Yoga takes some strength – both mentally and physically. When practiced regularly, we notice many physical and cognitive changes within ourselves, particularly increased flexibility, upper body strength, and mental clarity. All of this newfound strength has much to do with the breath.
2) Awareness and focus
Yoga helps create awareness in the body through deep breathing and movement. It gives kids a way to express themselves, build a strong connection between what they hear and what they do. Children that have healthy body awareness are more confident and strong, have better posture, breathe better, and have a sense of quiet strength.
3) Yoga boosts children’s self-esteem
Yoga for kids can do wonders for their self-esteem. A yoga teacher can only offer guidance, it is the child who has to work to succeed. Therefore, perfecting a pose or improving their balance and flexibility can give young children a sense of personal empowerment.
4) Yoga strengthens and improves flexibility
Yoga strengthens children’s growing bodies and helps them improve their flexibility, thereby reducing chances of injury.
Now that you know how important is yoga for children, start with simple poses and asanas. Do yoga along with your children to reduce boredom and it will be a great way to spend some time with them.