Benefits of Yoga for kids

It is said Yoga is more than 5000 years old. Yoga is a practice that started in India, and is now very popular in the United States and around the world. It has gained a lot of attention lately maybe because it is a fun and easy way for both adults and kids to feel healthy and happy.

The word “yoga” means “union” in Sanskrit, the ancient language of India. Yoga is the union coming of mind (thoughts and feelings) and physical body.  Asanas or physical postures are just one aspect of yoga. Benefits of Yoga for Kids: Maintains Flexibility and Strengthens Growing Bodies Children are born with an innate flexibility and yoga poses help to prolong this gift. Poses like Warrior One and Two aid in developing strength in their growing muscles and bodies. Strength and flexibility allow for fewer and less-severe injuries, especially when kids are engaged in sports and playground activity. Enhances Concentration. In kids’ yoga classes, some poses are fast moving while others are slow paced. This allows children to learn self-control, enhancing their focus and awareness. Moving from Flying Bird Pose (Warrior Three) to balancing in Tree Pose takes great attention—a skill that is essential in most learning environments. Increases Self-Esteem. When a child displays great strength, focus, and flexibility in Yoga, it does wonders for their confidence. A successful Crow Pose yields poise and power, which leads them to believe in and pursue their true abilities. Yoga success grants children persistence to achieve greatness as they embark on all of life’s adventures.  Gives Tools for Stress Management.Practicing yoga provides kids an immediate outlet to reduce stress in a safe and nurturing environment. The physical exercise produces happy endorphins. While breathing exercises slow down the heart rate, relaxation techniques are powerful sources for calming the mind and the body. Yoga teaches non-judgment and non-competition toward oneself and one another. These are all tools that a child can carry in to any difficult life situation. Teaches us how to breathe better. When we breathe deeply and fully (which we learn with pranayama) and become more aware, we can bring peacefulness or energy to our bodies. Teaches us how to use our energy more effectively. When we practice yoga, we learn how to use the life force energy in our bodies (called prana) to feel more relaxed, focused, or motivated.  Teaches us how to quiet the mind. When we practice yoga, we learn how to be still. This helps us to listen with attention and make good decisions. Teaches us about balance. When we practice yoga, we learn to be more aware about the need for balance in our lives. This could mean equal stretching on the left and right sides of our bodies or making sure we balance our very busy time with equal quiet time and relaxation. Teaches us self discipline. Yoga is a great way to feel healthy and to learn self discipline. Other Benefits: ·         Increased flexibility ·         Increased muscle strength and tone ·         Improved respiration, energy and vitality ·         The maintenance of a balanced metabolism ·         Cardio and circulatory health ·         Improved athletic performance ·         Protection from injury  ·         Reduces stress  ·         Increase mental clarity Read this article on Huffington Post titled How Yoga Changes Your Body, Starting The Day You Begin (INFOGRAPHIC)