Children And Yoga

Yoga has long been touted as a way for adults to improve flexibility, gain focus and reduce stress. But until recently, yoga classes for kids were virtually unheard of. Yoga consists of a number of complicated poses, and few even considered trying to convince children to learn them.

But an increasing number of yoga instructors, gym teachers and parents are discovering the benefits of yoga for kids. Studies have shown that children who participate in a yoga class are better behaved, more successful in school, more physically fit and have higher self-esteem. And in this age of short attention spans, such a calming pursuit is well worth trying.

Yoga has gone over surprisingly well with the younger set. Children are under more stress than children of previous generations, so they often welcome an activity that helps them wind down. Unlike many activities for kids, there is no competition, so there's no pressure to do better than everyone else. All that's expected of them is to do their personal best.

While yoga for adults emphasizes perfection in poses, yoga for kids is oriented more toward the end result. Only the simplest poses are taught to young children, and while good form is encouraged, allowances are made for unsteadiness. Kids are naturally more flexible than adults, so instructors often focus on poses that promote good balance and relaxation instead.

Finding a Class for Your Child

Taking your child to your yoga class won't do her much good. Even if you're at a beginner's level, the poses and concepts are just too advanced for young bodies and minds. Kids need a yoga class that is designed for kids.

While classes for kids aren't as widely available as those for adults, they are becoming more common. If your gym doesn't offer them, check the Yellow Pages or ask an adult yoga instructor for a referral. If yoga is integrated into the physical education curriculum in your child's school, the teacher might be able to recommend a good instructor.

Once you've found a class, it's a good idea to observe before signing your child up. It's important to make sure the instructor is teaching poses and techniques that are attainable for children. And since some particularly active children have a hard time getting started, it's important for a kids' yoga instructor to have plenty of patience.

If you can't find a class for your child, there are books and DVDs that are geared toward them. These work reasonably well since form is not as big of a concern as it is in adult yoga. The books can help you teach your child yoga, while the videos show exactly how to do poses in a way that is appealing to youngsters.

Yoga can provide many of the same benefits for children as it does for adults. Introducing it to them at a young age will give them tools to handle stresses in school and in life that will serve them well both immediately and in years to come.