Children can benefit from yoga for many reasons. According to Yoga Journal, it may help children feel a sense of ease and more cooperation with others. Yoga can also give children a heightened sense of body awareness, by increasing flexibility and physical strength. You can become certified to teach yoga to children at numerous reputable centers.
Sivananda Yoga Training
A variety of yoga teacher training programs for children exist all over the world. At the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in the Bahamas, Miran Binzen leads a Teaching Yoga to Children Training Course in the Spring. In this course you will learn physiology and anatomy of children, playful asanas or yoga postures, as well as meditation, relaxation techniques and health awareness for children. This particular course costs $450, last five days and you will receive a certification at the end of the course.
YogaKids
The YogaKids organization is an international teacher training children program that offers workshops continuously through out the year. They offer one- and four-day workshops as well as certifications. In 2011 workshops are hosted in Canada and Un.S.. The YogaKids program gives teachers tools to teach yoga in schools from kindergarten to fifth grade. The mission of the YogaKids is to create a classroom environment for teachers and students that is stress free and successful. The program focuses on teaching yoga that is fun, easily integrated and enhances life skills in children.
Kids Poses
Yoga Journal shares that you want to make yoga relatable for children. Turn traditional asana poses into animal names, for example. Have them stretch like a dog, balance like a flamingo or breath like bunny rabbits. Asana poses of cobra, tree and cat pose are also kid friendly. Have children work together in groups and in partners to create interesting poses.
Other Teaching Tips
Creativity and play should be integral parts of yoga kids classes. Also try playing appropriate music and using kid friendly props to enhance a class. Yoga Journal claims that incorporating the multiple intelligences makes a rich environment for kids to learn. Using visual, auditory, kinesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal learning tools help kids to have a whole learning experience. Yoga offers ways to incorporate all these learning styles into a lesson so that every child can benefit.
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