12 reasons yoga is great for kids
The first time I brought my older son, Dylan, to yoga it was for babysitting purposes. I admit it. I wanted to get my workout in and give my husband a break at home. He often cares for my kids when I’m out working long hours, so he deserved it. From the very first class though, Dylan was enamoured. He was thrilled to have learned tons of new “poses” and was eager to show me. He was two years old at the time.
It’s now almost two years later and his younger brother, Ryan, now joins us. He is even more into it! From the first class he was excited to stand on his very own mat and stretch and reach for the body parts he was thrilled to know by name. Watching him reach for “the trees above his head” and down to his toes was so cute. He was really into it. Ryan, at the young age of 18 months, asked to go back the very next day, which we did. I couldn’t believe he even remembered the class from the day before.
Guest post by AfL Role Model Dr. Dina Kulik
Dina Kulik is a wife, mother, paediatrician and emergency medicine doctor. This article originally appeared on The Huffington Post. You can read more from Dr. Dina about all topics relating to kids and kids’ health on her popular blog drdina.ca
So now that I sound like a nuts-and-granola type of mom, in true scientific fashion, I’ll back this up with evidence.
Why is yoga a great exercise for kids?
- Yoga teaches a child how to take a moment to his or herself, and breathe. It promotes mental clarity. We don’t teach this in many other disciplines, and a calm breathing moment can be invaluable to a wound up, irritable child—trust me.
- You don’t need much to practice yoga. A mat is really all you need. Though you’re paying a teacher to demonstrate, there is no other equipment to purchase.
- Yoga, much like martial arts, can build self-esteem and self-respect. It’s an opportunity to practice focused play without worrying about getting the pose perfectly. The point of yoga is to slowly improve upon a pose, not get it perfect the very first time.
- Yoga is great for a shy child who may withdraw from group activity.
- Yoga enhances flexibility, challenging muscles that may not be used routinely.
- Yoga enhances coordination and promotes balance.
- There is a sense of accomplishment in achieving a new pose or improving on it.
- Yoga refines gross and fine motor skills.
- Concentration and focus are paramount in yoga, a great skill for children and adults of all ages.
- Yoga fosters patience. Improving on a pose takes time and determination.
- Yoga encourages mindfulness and a mind-body connection that most of us ignore during our daily lives.
- Multiple studies of children with behavioural and physical challenges demonstrate large benefits. Yoga practice can decrease aggressive behaviour, hyperactivity, and social withdrawal in children with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. These same children shared more and communicated more effectively after practicing yoga for an hour.
Don’t believe it? If there’s a children’s yoga class in your neighbourhood, give it a try. Ask your child how it was. Notice if you see increased concentration, focus, and self-esteem. I dare you! What’s the downside?
