Yogasanam

Believe it or not, Yoga is becoming a popular exercise choice for children. Evidence shows that it greatly benefits a child’s growth.

Physically, Yoga develops a child’s strength, stamina, flexibility and coordination. Yoga also relieves body stress and helps reduce the risk of getting injuries when doing physical sports. In general, Yoga develops a stronger and healthier body.

Although the physical Benefits are obvious, Yoga enhances a child’s personality as well. Beyond physical endurance, Yoga more importantly develops a child’s self-esteem, confidence, creativity, and imagination. Moreover, kids get to meet new friends when attending Yoga classes, further developing their social skills.

Several Yoga programs designed for kids have mushroomed all over the United States. Some schools have even begun integrating it in physical education classes. Yet, despite the diverse options, parents considering children’s Yoga may not know where to begin.

There are different kinds of Yoga programs designed for kids. They range from serious sessions to playful classes. It is important for the parents to find a class that their child will feel comfortable in. Yoga requires a child’s trust in order to let his defenses down. Shana Meyerson, founder of Mini Yogis Yoga Los Angeles, recommends that parents let their kids attend a trial session before enrolling them for a class. It is important for the teacher to be loving, gentle, nurturing, and to exercise a great rapport with the students. It is therefore advisable for the parents and the child to get to know the teacher first before deciding.

Yoga with school aged children balances quiet and active poses with game playing, singing, storytelling, drawing, simple breath meditations and rest. Children can easily follow the teacher’s instructions by learning the names of different body parts, their locations and function. As children learn the names of the postures and movements they develop a yoga vocabulary. They can use their yoga poses to play games, take on the qualities of different animals or use their imaginations to make up stories about animals on a farm, climbing a mountain or trekking through a jungle. They can each assume the role of leader and teach their classmates a yoga posture or breathing exercise. Their yoga improves very quickly.


Pre-teens and teens learn about anatomy and physiology in greater depth. We discuss how muscles and joints allow bones to move; how yoga and meditation affect digestion, immune and neurological functions and the nervous and glandular systems; how yoga and meditation can help them study for exams and cope with the stress and pressures of daily life. The classes are physically challenging and provide a complete workout for young bodies.

Yoga Therapy “empowers the soul to empower the body so that the child can grow with a feeling of wholeness” and reach her/his full potential. Early intervention enhances the healthy and natural development of infants and toddlers. However,it is never too late to reap the benefits of Yoga Therapy.