The physical practice of Yoga, as many studies have shown, reduces stress, balances and aligns the body, mentality and spirit. It is indeed a preventative cure! Regular practice helps keep the positive life energy, or Prana flowing. You are in a better mood! Toxins are flushed which build up in the body through diet and stress. Yoga improves co-ordination and flexibility. With practice, you are able to sleep better as your body is able to relax and focus on rest. Breathing becomes integral and thus a positive manipulation of thoughts.
So why not introduce this godsend practice to our children? Yoga for children is essential. Children are under an immense amount of stress on a regular basis. Besides hormones raging, there is the pressure of school. Kids have homework deadlines, peer pressure of trying to fit in and be noticed in a large social world, pressure from teachers and parents to perform. Many schools have opted to delete PE from the curriculum, to cut down on budgets! Many children are left frustrated and unable to cope with all the stress. They then get home and turn on the television, or computer. Where is the outlet?
A teacher training session through Yogafit, for example, equips their teachers with their Yoga Essence. Their focus is on personal tools, which will help, anyone's yoga practice, including a child's.
There is the focus on breath, where one listens to the breath. The child could watch his or her stomach rising steadily. Visualization techniques could be used to better monitor this breath. Children are great at imaginary games, this in turn, calms down the hyperactive individuals.
Another,is letting go of expectation. One has to enter the yoga class with no expectations from oneself, the instructor or other participants. Too often children are motivated through competition. The need to get ahead to receive a prize, the best player to receive recognition, in yoga there is no competition. Everyone is here on his or her own accord. Yoga encourages individuality. No one can do a pose wrong. Everyone is unique in his or her own way. This is definitely a positive believe for children.
Judgment, is another. Yoga encourages compassion for all, and every living thing. Children are constantly encouraged during a class. It is playful and full of fun.
There is only peace in the present yoga moment. The tree pose, the warriors and meditation are great tools to introduce this to children. They are led to focus on their breathing and stance. They are encouraged to check in to their bodies, to asses how they are feeling.
When introducing Yoga to children, another important factor is a proper diet. The less fatty and processed foods they eat, the better their bodies will feel. The fewer toxins they are introducing to their bodies. Thus body consciousness is encouraged. Fresh fruit and vegetables are to be eaten.
Even though Yoga classes are wonderful, they are not always accessible to many families. Classes can be costly and also, not listed in many neighborhoods. There are ways to get around this. The local libraries offer books and DVDs on Yoga practice to kids, for free! The local newspaper may have free class postings. Yoga can be practiced anywhere! On the beach, in the backyard, on a patch of grass, on a hilltop celebrating the sun, doing the sun dance. In the quiet of your bedroom in the early hours of the morning, right before the start of your day, is a great way to get motivated for school! Yoga in the living room with a Yoga DVD can be just as effective.
Yoga for children is important. They are natural yogis and yoginis. Every child has the right to Yoga practice. It leads to their optimum living! The sooner we introduce yoga to all children, the better our society will be!
Candice Beyers is an aspiring Yoga Instructor. She has been involved in Yoga for over 8 year and has worked closely with children ages 1 to 12 years old.
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