The Benefits of Yoga for Kids

Yoga is an ancient discipline that involves breath control, meditation, and postures practiced for health and relaxation. This art has been around for more than 5000 years with a Hindu origin. Although yoga for adults has become quite common, yoga for kids is also slowly gaining widespread popularity. Below are the top 5 benefits of yoga for kids.

Develop Focus and Concentration

Moving between yoga poses takes great skill and attention. They are either fast or slow-paced, This allows kids to develop self-control, and to become more focused and aware. Yoga lessons conclude with deep relaxation.   Participants usually lay on their backs peacefully still with soft music and/or guided visualization. With just three minutes, children learn the importance of this peace and can make it part of their daily lives.

Tools for Managing Stress

Yoga for kids provides an immediate outlet to reduce stress in a peaceful and safe environment. This physical exercise causes the body to produce happy hormones called endorphins. With yoga, there is no judgment or competition.   Children can break away from pressure and learn to let go of their negative feelings.

Increase Self-confidence

Being able to display strength, flexibility, and focus in yoga does great things in terms of building up kids’ self-confidence. Kids learn that in order to achieve greatness,  often, much persistence is required.  When they are able to execute the poses well, specifically the complicated ones, it encourages them to pursue whatever they set their mind to as they go through the adventures of life.

Enhance Body Awareness and Flexibility

Children have the inherent skill of flexibility and the practice of yoga for kids helps to enhance and prolong this gift. Muscles are developed and strengthened as their bodies stretch to perfect postures and poses. When they have enough strength and flexibility, it reduces the chances of injury, especially when it comes to engaging in sports and other physical activities.   Whether it be at school or at the park and playground, skills such as balance, strength, and flexibility are enhanced.

Encourages Positive Social Interaction

Yoga inspires kindness, patience, acceptance, and empathy among children and their peers. Its teachings include equality and oneness despite appearance, race, and religion. Children learn that everyone has a body that functions, a heart that is capable of love, and feelings that create warmth. The Yoga poses sometimes require participation with a partner.  This allows children the opportunity to work together.

Yoga grants kids the possibility of a lifetime commitment to daily practice.  Yoga teaches that there is more to life than instant gratification.  Yoga is a path to patience and discipline – an indispensable life skill.