Although yoga and children might not sound like two words that belong in the same sentence, there is an amazing connection that takes place when you bring the two together. When practiced regularly, yoga provides well rounded benefits that leave parents astounded and children calm and joy-filled.
In preparing to write this article, I was introduced to many wonderful yoga instructors who have incredible stories to share. As you read on, you’ll hear from parents and students directly. They generously offer their personal experience with the hope that their stories will inspire your family to give yoga a try.
“My youngest was having a meltdown this morning, as we were trying to
leave the house. In the car I noticed I had the yoga "breathing ball."
I passed the ball back to him and said maybe he needed to breathe a little.
He independently used the ball and took three slow breaths and
then calmly passed the ball back to me and simply said, ‘I'm done’.
We quietly went on our way.”
Terri Jimenez, Head Start teacher
Janet Williams, Yoga Instructor and author of the book and CD What I See, I Can Be: A Guided Yoga Flow for Children explains that children are the true Masters of Yoga and movement; “What adults work at, comes joyfully and naturally to children. Their young minds are open and are unhindered by limitations and constraints. Because their minds are open, their bodies have a tremendous capacity for flexibility. The intent of Yoga is to develop flexibility and strength in order to achieve balance.”
The relationship between our mind, body and spirit gets de-emphasized in our American culture with all the attention we put on technology and entertainment. Yoga helps children develop this critical union. When mind, body and spirit are nurtured simultaneously, the door is wide open for:
- · strength and endurance
- · increased comprehension
- · longer attention span
- · inner wisdom
- · decrease in disruptive behaviors
- · injury prevention
- · mental and emotional clarity
- · confidence and self acceptance
“My kindergarten-aged son is shy and anxious about new situations and has
previously been identified as having poor motor planning and other physical challenges.
I was initially worried he might find yoga frustrating or difficult due to these limitations
but instead it has been both a fun and opening experience that has boosted
his confidence in his physical body and his listening and social skills.
Leslie E. Phillips, mother
“Kids and yoga go together like two peas in a pod. The simplest way for me to say it is that kids just 'get it'.
They don't have all of the preconceived notions about life that adults can have.
They are incredibly open, accepting and curious and yoga is a great
channel for each of these attributes.”
Jules Hogan, owner of UPDOG downdog YOGA
Bethany Queior, a yoga instructor for children at Bethel Camp for the Arts (Bethel, Maine), has a beautiful way of stating that yoga is a way to be in conversation with yourself, where even the youngest selves have a something to say; yoga - whether bright and giggly or hushed and still - is joyful; and perhaps the most hopeful of all, yoga is truly for anyone and everyone.
Unlike many competitive sports, you can begin yoga at any time. James Sklar, teen yoga instructor, finds himself inspired by the number his high school students who make yoga an integral part of their life.
“I chose to take yoga classes as a senior alternative to my gym class in
school but the weekly class became something more than that the first
day I stepped onto the mat. It feels great to test my balance,
flexibility, and strength, and actually see improvements week to week.
In a lot of ways, yoga has changed my life. I feel more relaxed and ready for the day.
Yoga has made me appreciate each moment, and focus on just that moment.
I feel more in touch with my inner self, physically and spiritually.”
Olivia, high school student
Yoga is helping improve the quality of life of children with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Microcephaly, Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, andAttention Deficit Disorder, among other things. As with other therapy, you may want to speak with your doctor first; their office might be able to recommend a yoga instructor or studio.
“You can't imagine how thrilled I am that my daughter liked the yoga class and has signed up. She has Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome,
meaning that when she stands and gravity pulls down the blood in her body, her veins fail to constrict enough to push the blood
back through the body. All this leads to extreme fatigue, sometimes dizziness and many headaches; a situation serious enough to make
her miss a great deal of school. Stress exacerbates the situation. Anything that improves blood flow, strengthens her calf muscles,
and reduces stress or teaches her to reduce stress is good for her.”
From a mother of a girl with POTS
There is an endless list of resources for parents when it comes to yoga. Begin you search by asking your friends and family where they practice yoga and find out if they have a program for children. Many yoga studios allow you to take a class or two for free before registration. As you might imagine, the internet offers a large variety of child specific yoga sites with articles, blogs, “how to” videos and products. Here are a few that come highly recommended by yoga instructors themselves:
YOGA and CHILDREN WEBSITES
www.buddingyogis.com
www.childrensyoga.com
www.LizDoyleYoga.com
DVD’s and PRODUCTS
Yoga by the Dozen www.yogabythedozen.com
Yoga Fit Kids www.yogafit.com
AWARD WINNING BOOKS
ABC’s of Yoga for Kids www.abcyogaforkids.com
Yoga Calm for Children www.yogacalm.org
What I See, I Can Be www.ChildrensYogaBooks.com
* Photo compliments of Jules Hogan (
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Prior to becoming a transformational coach, Karen Nowicki was a teacher, asst. principal and vice president for public and charter schools. Karen is the founder of the www.MotherDaughterWeekends.com and the author of Maddie Moonbeam’s Garden. Karen lives in Chandler, AZ with her husband and three children. For more with Karen, sign up for her free newsletter atwww.apeacefulintegration.com.
