Yoga is beneficial to children

During a child’s developmental years, it is important to build self-esteem, self-awareness and strengthen the mind and body.

Yoga teaches children about how their bodies work, so they can develop a common sense of the body as a foundation for well-being throughout their lives.

The child’s mind benefits greatly from the focus and gentleness of yoga practice.

Most importantly, children practicing yoga develop a respect, appreciation and desire to take time for healing the body, mind and spirit.

Also read: Why you should take up yoga

The result is a stronger body, increased self-confidence, calm mind and uplifted spirit.

Children who practice yoga may not only be better able to regulate their emotions, manage stress and calm themselves, studies now show that they may also choose better foods to eat and engage in more physical activity than children who do not.

Body benefits

• Develops body awareness, strength and flexibility.
• Builds balance, coordination and agility.
• Tones internal organs.
• Promotes health.

Mind benefits

• Stimulates imagination and creativity.
• Builds self-esteem and confidence.
• Increases focus, attention and concentration.
• Develops mental equilibrium.
• Cultivates awareness.
• Spiritual benefits
• Promotes self awareness as well as compassion.
• Develops interconnectedness and oneness with nature
• Teaches to honour themselves and others as well as all living things.
• Builds discipline and a love of learning.

All yoga postures can be modified, recognising everyone is different.

Hatha Yoga can be thought of as the art of balancing and integrating the opposites that exist within everyone.

It is a system of breathing techniques and postures designed to strengthen bones, stretch muscles, massage internal organs, improve blood circulation, and develop flexibility of the joints, tendons and ligaments.

Yoga also has a regulating effect on all the systems of the body, including the nervous system, the endocrine system, the circulatory respiratory system and the lymphatic system, aiming to produce optimum and natural functioning of the whole body.

The stretching and relaxation aspects of yoga are a perfect way for children to begin enjoying exercise.

Yoga Asanas consists of a series of poses including standing, balance, inverted, back-bending, forward bending, seated, twists and lying down postures.

Each category has particular health and well-being benefits.

Balance postures work to enhance concentration and focus, learning how to clear the mind from outside influences for a moment, helping children to learn more easily.

All the posture work develops strength, flexibility and coordination skills, which can improve ability in other sports while also reducing the risk of injury.

Information obtained from www.findingsantosha.com

Also read: Yoga and meditation with a cute chihuahua

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 or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za

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