Many children share the same hectic lifestyle as their parents, rushing from school to sports and other activities with little downtime. Yoga can help stressed-out children and their parents restore a sense of balance, and teach them to relax. In addition to mental and spiritual benefits, yoga may also help kids maintain a healthy weight while increasing strength and flexibility, according to Kaplan University. Of course, children learn differently than adults, so teachers should modify instruction to fit the needs of different age groups.
Tailor Class Time to Age
Very young children often don't have the attention span to focus on a standard 60- or 75-minute yoga class. Instead of stretching their attention past the breaking point, give them just enough time to enjoy themselves while leaving them excited for next time. The popular YogaKids DVDs last only about 30 minutes or so, which helps keeps kids interested until the very end. Keep parent and child classes under an hour, and toddler programs around 30 minutes. As children get older, consider increasing the class duration to 45 minutes or more so children can fully immerse themselves in yoga practice.
Incorporate Songs and Games
Most children won't enjoy the traditional silent yoga class. Instead, use music and sing-along sessions to guide the practice and keep kids energized. Vary music volume and style depending on the type of moves you plan to teach. For example, switch to a soft song during the final resting pose, or add upbeat tunes during standing poses to emphasize strength and energy.
For young children, use props like stuffed animals, ropes or carpet squares to direct the children's movement and keep them focused on the pose. As kids get older, try twister-style games that show children where to place hands and feet. Pre-teens may enjoy balancing games, partner work or competitions to see who can hold a challenging pose the longest.
Use Kid-Friendly Language
Yoga instructors often use traditional names for poses or techniques, which can be confusing even for adults. Instead of explaining yoga theory to young children, or overwhelming them with words in languages they don't understand, try more basic terms. Cat and cow asanas are easy for kids to understand, and provide fun opportunities for them to make their own animal sound effects as they pose. Encourage barking during down dogs, or hissing like a snake during some simple belly-down poses, such as cobra. Have children form "tree branches" with their arms during tree pose, or "blow bubbles" as you explain yoga breathing techniques. With older children, mention both the traditional and modern name for each pose to expose children to new ideas without making yoga too confusing.
Teach Visualization
During meditative or rest poses, give the children ideas about imagery and relaxation. Ask them to picture a day at the beach, or a big blue sky. Talk to them about how these images can aid relaxation and calm the mind. Have them explain to you what they visualize as they perform these poses, and allow them to pick images that fit their unique personalities.
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