PaediatricYOGA How can the modern practise of this ancient Indian art form help occupational therapists working with children?
T
he concept of yoga for children seems a little counterintuitive at first glance: how do you ask a child who enjoys running around and playing to sit with their legs crossed for half an hour and deeply consider their breathing? To be fair, that’s a grossly simplified view of both yoga and the abilities of children. Yoga and children may seem mismatched, but who else takes so enthusiastically to being asked to pretend to be a tree or a frog for minutes at a time? As mindfulness continues to be introduced to classrooms around the country, we are gently introducing young people to the salient concept of taking care of mental health as well as physical health to ensure these bright young minds stay bright. Research shows that not only can yoga help to improve and maintain physical and mental health in young people, it may also help improve focus, memory, self-esteem, academic performance, classroom behaviour, and may also help in the reduction of anxiety and stress. Speaking to Harvard Medical School, Jessica Mei Gershen, who teaches yoga to young children in Brooklyn, New York, uses play and fun to help introduce
50
www.
-magazine.co.uk
young people to the benefits of the activity without overwhelming them. “Yoga is really effective because it’s so tangible. Learning physical postures builds confidence and strength as well as the mind-body connection,” she said. “Through yoga, kids start to realise that they are strong and then are able to take that strength, confidence, acceptance, and compassion out into the world.” From the perspective of an occupational therapist, yoga carries a host of additional benefits which can be utilised as an intervention for younger clients. Yoga can strengthen muscles without putting too much strain on joints, increase self-awareness, build concentration, and develop motor planning skills.
Through yoga, kids start to realise that they are strong and then are able to take that strength, confidence, acceptance, and compassion out into the world
