Yoga can provide children with several physical and mental benefits, without the strain or harsh impact of many aerobic activities and sports. While no form of physical activity is right for every child, enrolling your child in a yoga class or simply practicing basic postures at home encourages him to be active and take care of his body -- important components of basic health for kids and adults alike.
Physical Benefits
Yoga programs for kids involve poses that encourage balance and gentle stretching. Stretching the major muscle groups improves flexibility and helps children move more easily through their full range of motion. Many yoga poses engage the major muscle groups of the body to strengthen them and teach children control over their bodies through slow, deliberate movements. Children learn how to breathe deeply during yoga sessions, helping them relax their bodies and conditioning their lungs.
Mental/Emotional Benefits
Practicing yoga teaches kids a natural way to relieve stress and calm their minds. Controlled poses put children in control of their bodies, helping them feel confident and encouraging them to appreciate their individual body structures. Poses that focus on animals or other forms of life in nature can help kids feel connected with the world around them, teaching them to appreciate and care for nature. Precise poses and breathing methods taught through yoga can help children concentrate and learn to calm themselves.
Considerations
Yoga is a gentle exercise that can engage most children, including those with disabilities. Modifications for certain poses can make yoga enjoyable for children with physical disabilities and teach them how to use their bodies and move in a way that takes advantage of the abilities they do have. Yoga classes where kids interact with an instructor and other children help them learn social skills and provide them an opportunity to concentrate on appropriate behavior in a group setting -- benefits that are particularly important for children who suffer from mental or social disorders.
Warning
Though yoga is safe for most children, it's important to discuss your child's health with your doctor before enrolling her in a yoga class or practicing poses at home if she has a disability or a chronic health problem. Explain the difference between gentle stretching and overexerting the muscles to your child and encourage her to modify poses or refrain from doing certain movements if they cause pain or discomfort. Teach your child to warm up by jogging in place or doing some other form of moderate aerobic activity before practicing yoga to increase circulation and warm up the muscles to reduce the risk of injury.
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