| Most people do not associate stress with children, but | | | | part of physical education classes. Gym teachers are |
| our young ones do have their own daily stressors. | | | | going to special training to learn how to modify yoga |
| Types of stress that children deal with are homework, | | | | routines for children. |
| peer competition, extra curricular activities and physical | | | | Just like adults, some kids have trouble unwinding and |
| changes, such as, growing pains. Sometimes young | | | | relaxing. Yoga benefits these kids and helps them to |
| children are over-scheduled in the activities they | | | | focus and relax. This is performed by practicing |
| perform. | | | | visualization meditation while in the yoga pose. For |
| Today's society is a busy one and finds kids on a very | | | | example, if in warrior pose, ask the child to visualize a |
| hectic schedule. Kids need a stress relief just like | | | | warrior. |
| adults. More and more parents and schools are turning | | | | Once this visualization is accomplished, advanced |
| to yoga as a means for children to unwind and relax. | | | | visuals can be practiced. Ask the child to paint a |
| Yoga offers the same benefits for our children as it | | | | picture in their mind of their favorite place in their house |
| does for us. By practicing yoga regularly, kids develop | | | | or their favorite vacation spot. |
| an overall sense of peace, increase their flexibility, and | | | | When the relaxation part is finished, have the children |
| improves coordination. Additionally, kids who have | | | | share their experience with each other. Have each |
| regular yoga workouts have been known to have | | | | child take a turn and tell everyone what image they |
| improved concentration in school. This leads to | | | | painted in their mind and how the image made them |
| excellent confidence levels. | | | | feel. |
| These benefits have been very helpful for kids with | | | | For those having difficulty painting a picture in their |
| attention-deficit disorder. Yoga appears to calm these | | | | minds, guided imagination can be used by telling them a |
| children and assists with more focused attention spans. | | | | story with a calming theme of some sort. A guided |
| Yoga poses for kids stimulate their sensory motors | | | | picture can be of a beautiful field filled with daisies or |
| and help balance their inner souls. Yoga for kids helps | | | | let them imagine they are butterflies in the field. The |
| them channel out impulses in a positive way. | | | | main idea is to create a peaceful surrounding so that |
| You are seeing yoga exercises being practiced as | | | | they have a feeling of oneness with nature. |