| I have been doing yoga for over twenty years, both | | | | imagination, increase attention span and cultivate |
| on my own and in groups at a studio. When I began, it | | | | self-esteem. |
| was almost unheard of and those who did do it saw it | | | | Not every type of yoga can be used as yoga for |
| as a part of their spiritual practice, along with | | | | children though. Their requirements are different - their |
| meditation. I still see my practice in this light. But I have | | | | physical bodies, growth rates and metabolism vary |
| seen a change as yoga's popularity grows. Over the | | | | greatly from those of adults. This must be taken into |
| last several years, yoga classes that incorporate the | | | | consideration when considering kid's yoga. There are, |
| simplest of yoga accessories for kids of all ages have | | | | however, a number of programs created especially |
| been springing up in yoga centers, park districts and | | | | for children that showcase the more gentle poses, use |
| schools. | | | | simple yoga accessories such as straps and teach |
| In more and more studios you see classes offered | | | | breathing exercises. If you cannot find a class nearby |
| specifically for kids, including prenatal classes that | | | | or want to introduce your kids to yoga at home as |
| evolve after birth to "Mommy and me" classes. Many | | | | part of your own private practice, there are some |
| yogis point to this as a way for increasing the bonds | | | | excellent specialty children's videos available online that |
| between parent and child, helping to balance a modern | | | | I have found over time to be very useful. There are |
| life that often includes the mother working out of the | | | | even yoga based video games that are educational |
| home at an early stage in the child's development. In | | | | and introduce very young children to yoga poses in a |
| addition, many of the yoga teachers I work with have | | | | fun way. |
| told me of new interpretations of this practice being | | | | One of the unexpected rewards I have discovered |
| explored for many kids within the structure of their | | | | when introducing people to these classes, games and |
| schools. "Yoga helps children develop strong, limber | | | | videos is their ability to help self-conscious children |
| and healthy bodies as well as foster imagination, | | | | become more aware of the things they are capable |
| increase attention span and cultivate self-esteem, says | | | | of doing, improving their physical, general and mental |
| Marsha Wenig, a long time yoga instructor and a | | | | health. It gives them a self-confidence to go on and |
| pioneering developer of a child-centered yoga teaching | | | | master other physical activities. Using a simple yoga |
| called YogaKids. For many schools, yoga has become | | | | accessory like a block can give the most awkward |
| a useful tool to help with such diverse problems as | | | | child confidence. Other common benefits of yoga for |
| ADD, helping teenagers by showing them | | | | children are maintaining a healthy body and fighting |
| non-destructive methods of control over their changing | | | | illnesses. For kids who are not good at (or don't enjoy) |
| bodies, and relieving the daily stress that leads to so | | | | conventional sports, yoga may provide a much-needed |
| many behavior disorders in kids today. A growing | | | | physical outlet in a noncompetitive environment. |
| acceptance of kid's yoga has also been seen from | | | | All in all, there are many ways for parents and |
| parents who not only practice yoga themselves, but | | | | teachers to use yoga as one more tool for reaching |
| also see that their children could enjoy it and gain body | | | | out to their kids. Whether it be for assistance through |
| awareness, coordination, and stress relief. When | | | | troubled times, as a way to strengthen the bonds |
| discussing this new development with many parents in | | | | between parents and children or simply a way to give |
| my yoga classes, they have told me that they can | | | | your kids a physical relief for stress from modern life, |
| see that yoga also helps their children develop strong, | | | | yoga is an accessory for their life that is certainly for |
| flexible and healthy bodies as well as foster | | | | kids too. |