The power of yoga for children

Love Yoga for Kids is spreading the power of yoga in orphanages and underprivileged schools in areas such as Sandton where members of the organisation are targeting communities which face challenges such as a lack of housing, nourishment, clothing, health and education.

Sarah Hedding, a children’s yoga specialist, believes that yoga can assist these communities in a unique way as it benefits the mind, soul and body. “The tools learned from yoga can help communities grow and master the challenges that life throws at them,” said Hedding.

Hedding focuses on orphans because she believes yoga has the power to uplift the children, teach them healthy living and healthy nourishment. “Yoga has the power to promote loving behaviour over fear and violence, and prevents self-destructive behaviour. Yoga also connects kids to ideas and possibilities so they can see what is possible for them and they can live better lives.”

Hedding, along with Tamlyn Cohen, who is also involved in Love Yoga for Kids, said the children love doing yoga and also enjoy the attention and affection they get from the yoga instructors. Hedding explained that yoga is also educational, as many of the yoga poses and positions are named after shapes and animals. Both Hedding and Cohen use these poses to educate children on different animals and mathematical shapes.

Hedding said, “The lion pose makes the children feel strong, and the volcano pose teaches them to release anger and frustration. Yoga is, therefore, an anger management tool that all children should learn.”

She explained that yoga has many physical benefits and that the older pupils are able to improve their flexibility and physical well-being through yoga.

Hedding ended off by saying that when they visit orphanages and teach the children yoga, they ‘bring little pieces of light into their lives’.

Details: slchedding@gmail.com