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10 BENEFITS: Yoga for Children

by Jodi Komitor

Screen Shot 2015-03-25 at 7.43.29 PMYoga, the 5,000-year-old art of fusing the body and mind, is not just transforming adults today. Because of its amazing benefits, yoga for children is all the rage and is spreading rapidly around the world.

As a master kids’ yoga teacher for over fifteen years, I have personally witnessed how this ancient practice continuously supports children in their classrooms, homes, sports, and relationships. I have observed and interacted with kids of various ages around the world, and all have proven the same thing—the profound power of yoga is truly a gift that keeps on giving!

I could list hundreds of benefits, but here are my favorite ten reasons why yoga is awesome for kids.

1. Maintains Flexibility and Strengthens Growing Bodies

Children are born with an innate flexibility and yoga poses help to prolong this gift. Poses like Warrior One and Two aid in developing strength in their growing muscles and bodies. Strength and flexibility allow for fewer and less-severe injuries, especially when kids are engaged in sports, playground activity, and good ol’ rough and tumbling.

2. Enhances Concentration

In kids’ yoga classes, some poses are fast moving while others are slow paced. This allows children to learn self-control, enhancing their focus and awareness. Moving from Flying Bird Pose (Warrior Three) to balancing in Tree Pose takes great attention—a skill that is essential in most learning environments.

3. Increases Self-Esteem

When a child displays great strength, focus, and flexibility in Yoga, it does wonders for their confidence. A successful Crow Pose yields poise and power, which leads them to believe in and pursue their true abilities. Yoga success grants children persistence to achieve greatness as they embark on all of life’s adventures.

4. Teaches Present Moment Awareness

Yoga philosophy teaches present moment awareness because when our mind is thinking about the past or future, we are missing the most valuable now. When children are engaged, focused, having fun, and following a yoga lesson, they are in the present moment. As well, a good quality children’s yoga teacher will redirect kids and teach them about this valuable tool so they can carry it throughout their life.

5. Cultivates a Peaceful, Relaxed State of Body and Mind

All yoga classes conclude with a quiet time, also known as Deep Relaxation. Different from napping, this is an all-time favorite for yoginis of all ages. Called the “Do Nothing Pose,” children relish lying on their backs in quiet, peaceful stillness, sometimes with music and a guided visualization, foot massage, or an herbal eye pillow. Even if just for three minutes, children learn to understand the importance of this peace and can carry it with them into their daily lives.

Keep reading Jodi’s article to discover 5 more benefits of yoga for children here.

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next generation jodiJodi Komitor is considered a leading authority on yoga for kids and is the founder of the first kids’ yoga studio in the world—Next Generation Yoga. She has certified over 1,000 children’s yoga teachers in her internationally acclaimed teacher training program. Jodi is the author of the best-selling book The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Yoga with Kids, (Macmillan 2000), the star of Activity TV: Yoga, and the creator of the DVD Whale Yoga for Kids.