THE BENEFITS OF YOGA FOR CHILDREN

By Tara & Shayan, Co-Founders of Uphoria Yoga

The practice of yoga has been around for thousands of years. Although a new practice to North America, it has exploded in popularity in the last 20 years. As adults who practice yoga, we are aware of the physical, emotional, and psychological health benefits.

As parents who have children growing up in a chaotic and sometimes scary world, it is clear that a regular yoga practice is important for our children too. Yoga and mindfulness will help our kids cope with presentday life stresses. Through physical practice with mindfulness & breathing exercises, our children will learn essential life skills and become aware of their own thoughts and actions.

A regular yoga practice will help build strength and improve flexibility. Breathing techniques will help build confidence and help the child excel in times of stress. The breath will help calm the child and overcome anxiety so they can become a more confident and self-assured individual.

Mindfulness techniques such as meditation will help the child cultivate focus. Mindfulness shines a light on how one feels emotionally and physically. It acts as a tool to help the child react in a thoughtful and composed manner.

We all want to help prepare our children to live the most fulfilling and happiest of lives. We truly believe yoga will help our children focus on what’s important and become confident adults who care for their wellbeing, the wellbeing of others, and of their planet. Keep reading below for more details on how yoga benefits your children.

YOGA SUPPORTS CHILDREN’S PHYSICAL WELLBEING

The movements practiced in a yoga class (called poses or asanas) are much more than just stretching. Asanas can help increase flexibility, strengthen bones and stimulate the circulatory and immune systems. Along with purposeful breathing, these asanas calm the mind and reduce stress.

Regular yoga practice helps with overall physical and mental health. Performing asanas slowly with mindful control acts as a mental exercise in concentration and meditation.

YOGA TEACHES CHILDREN AWARENESS

Yogic breathing increases lung capacity, as well as strengthening and toning the entire respiratory and nervous systems. Deepening the breath brings more oxygen to the body through the bloodstream. If you teach a child awareness of breath they will ultimately become more in control of their emotions and overall well-being. These are everyday tools for calming and energizing the child to help develop a state of relaxed awareness, which is crucial for learning.

YOGA CULTIVATES MINDFULNESS AND IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH

Mindfulness helps children develop healthy responses to the chaotic world around them. It also helps them deal with their own emotional responses to the world. The idea is to encourage children to use these techniques whenever they need to find calm, refocus their energy, and concentrate on specific tasks.

Yoga Also Increases Self-Confidence and Most Importantly, It’s Great Fun!

It’s easy to see why more and more schools are embracing the need for yoga in their classrooms. Children who learn yoga at an early age have a healthy start in life. This is especially important in our fast-paced and stressful world. By bringing increased awareness to the external environment and to the internal experience of the body and the mind, children will benefit psychologically and emotionally. Children can easily learn these techniques, and when learned young, they become lifelong tools.

ABOUT UPHORIA YOGA

At ÜPHORIA Yoga Studio, we truly believe yoga is just as beneficial for children as it is for adults. Our programs and our academy-style programs for kids are growing in popularlity. With our Child-centric and play-learning curriculum, we encouarge kids to explore, be creative, and imagine with yoga, mindful games, songs and stories

YOGA STUDIOS TO CHECK OUT FOR FAMILIES

YOGA BUTTONS

Vancouver Pre-school, Family, School-age Also yoga camps, birthday parties, party nights and YOGart classes

www.yogabuttons.com

UPHORIA YOGA

Vancouver Pre/Post Nata, Kids, Adults, Family Also summer camps, events, birthday parties, parents-nightout and child-minding

www.uphoriayoga.com

KUKOON YOGA

Port Moody Expecting mothers Also workshops, hangouts, online store

www.kukoonyoga.com

KAHLENA STUDIO

Vancouver Family, kids, Parents & tots, prenatal, postnatal Also pilates, dance and restorative yoga

www.kahlena.com

HONEY BEES STUDIO

Burnaby Kids, preschool Also: arts & music, dance

www.honeybeesstudio.ca

HARMONY KIDS YOGA

Fort Langley Yoga @Home for kids Also workshops for parents, online store, teachers training, and school programs

www.harmonykidsyoga.com

YOGA BUGGY

Vancouver Kids, families Also summer camps, yoga at the park, workshops and training

www.yogabuggy.com