Yoga is an ancient practice originating in the East, which seeks a balance between body, mind and soul. There are countless physical and emotional benefits that are obtained through it. Nowadays, yoga for children has spread as a way to help them manage anxiety or stress, besides being a very healthy practice to maintain physical health.
Children as young as 4 years old can be introduced to yoga practices, with some postures adapted to their concentration and flexibility. Let's see what exactly yoga is and what it is for children.
What is yoga?
Yoga is a practice composed of postures that connect the body with conscious breathing to achieve a high physical, mental and spiritual potential that brings well-being and good health. Yoga allows body harmony and balance of emotions.
Current events have led children to be more restless, with accumulated energy that they cannot spend doing sports or outdoor activities. Yoga emerges as an alternative for children to practice exercises that help them improve self-control and obtain many other benefits.
What is yoga for children for?
This question is asked by many parents and the answer is clear. Every child who practices yoga a few minutes a day, will have a better management of his body and emotions.
Yoga for children is totally different from the one practiced by adults, since it must be taken into account that capturing the child's attention can be very simple, but maintaining it can be more complex. The practice in children is focused on the playful part, incorporating music that encourages the interpretation of sounds and shapes and that achieve an effective body relaxation.
Benefits of yoga for children
Just as we have previously discussed the benefits of symbolic play, yoga also has great enriching abilities for children, for example:
Calm breathing
The practice of yoga in children begins with conscious breathing through the nose, inhalation and exhalation that lead to a state of calm and relaxation and then give way to body postures.
Stimulation of concentration
This is one of the most significant benefits of yoga in both adults and children. A concentration that allows the connection between body and mind, pushing away the thoughts and symptoms of anxiety.
Emotional control
The child who practices yoga has a positive stimulus for the management of their emotions, they are able to efficiently manage the anger, rage and frustration that they may feel at any given moment.
Body with flexibility and balance
The physical part of the child also benefits from yoga. The postures they practice make them more flexible, they will be able to coordinate and balance their body movements better and they will have greater muscle strength.
Improves the child's self-esteem
Yoga is recommended for those children who are more shy and quiet, since, with practice they tend to have more confidence in their abilities, in addition to improving their mood, making them more confident and cheerful.
Better channeling of energy
Children learn to calm down and relax effectively, which will allow a channeling of excess energy.
Reduces anxiety
In yoga they will find relaxation and balance to deal with their emotions, and above all, with the events that occur in their daily lives, both at school and at home.
Consolidates values
Yoga also contributes to the development and consolidation of values such as discipline, responsibility, respect and trust.
The regular practice of yoga in children will bring many benefits, they can also practice it with their parents or siblings to strengthen the family bond. Likewise, it is important that the practice time is not too long and the exercises are appropriate for the age of the child.
From Logos Nursey, a nursery school located in Las Rozas de Madrid, we find in yoga a perfect way of initiation towards healthy habits for children (and also for their parents) and in the management of emotions.
