Yoga for Kids / ChildrenChildren get great benefits from Yoga. Their concentration and sense of calmness and relaxation improves and, by doing yoga, children exercise, play, connect more deeply with the inner self. Thereby, they develop an intimate relationship with the natural world that surrounds them. Yoga brings a marvelous inner light that all children have, right up to the surface.
When the ancient yogis developed the asanas, they still lived close to nature. They used animals and plants for inspiration – the sting of a scorpion, the grace of a swan, the grounded stature of a tree. As children imitate the movements and sounds of nature, they get a chance to enter another being and imagine assuming its qualities. As they begin to do the various animal and nature asanas, they learn to engage their minds and deepen their awareness. For instance, when they assume the pose of the lion (Simhasana), they feel not only the power and behavior of the lion, but also their own sense of power – when to be aggressive, when to retreat. When they do the snake pose (Bhujangasana), they really imagine that they're just long spines with no arms or legs. In the Tree Pose (Vrksasana), they actually imagine being a giant oak, with roots growing out of the bottoms of their feet. When they stretch like dogs, balance like flamingos, breathe like bunnies, or stand strong and tall like trees, they make a connection between their bodies and their environment.
The following asanas are good for children: Standing Vrikshasana (1)
Trikonasana
Parivritta Trikonasana
Seated Simhasana
Gomukhasana
Ushtrasana
Janu Sirshasana
Paschimottanasana Reclining Purvottanasana
Naukasana
Matsyasana Prone Adho Mukha Svanasana
Bhujangasana
Dhanurasana Inverted Viparitakarani
Halasana Balancing Vrikshasana (2)
Garudasana
Kakasana Simultaneously teach them slow breathing especially in Shavasana. Remember the auto suggestions; they’re very helpful to children too. |
