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There is plenty of competition to go around in this world. If you are a Yoga teacher, you should not encourage competition within a Kids Yoga class. This is not easily done. Each child wants praise, but this can be accomplished by making your Yoga class a nurturing event, where every child who participates, can feel a sense of self-worth.
This atmosphere, which is designed by the Yoga instructor, will develop a child's character "from the ground up." Each child is unique and special in his or her own way. Children have to be taught to appreciate themselves as they are. Self-worth cannot be calculated by the skill of one single activity, and Yoga is the sum of many different activities, within a given class.
When I first started teaching Yoga to children, I began to integrate Vinyasa Yoga into the warm-ups of our children's martial arts classes; some parents wondered why? Soon, some of the children, who had Attention Deficit Disorder, and other attention span problems, became more focused for the rest of the class. Still, other children, who regularly practiced Vinyasa Yoga warm-ups, started to develop a more pronounced muscular appearance. This may have been due to many factors, such as the cross training involved in practicing Vinyasa Yoga and martial arts, on a regular basis - while many other children, who attended these integrated classes, went home, did their homework, and slept better.
Eventually, we established a pure Kids Yoga class, and it was scheduled between two children's martial arts classes. The children were enthusiastic and the parents were, and still are, very supportive. In the above-mentioned examples, different children gained different benefits from learning Yoga.
As children continue to learn Yoga, they should also be taught to refrain from comparing themselves to other children in the Yoga class. This is not easy for a Yoga teacher to do, but can be accomplished by teaching children to accept themselves as they are, and that trying their best is really good enough.
Regular attendance to Kids Yoga classes is the key to getting rid of emotional baggage. Children must be taught to appreciate themselves in a positive way, and the study of Yoga can give any child self-empowerment. When children gather and participate in Yoga instruction on a steady basis, they also make new friends. The parents who send their children to study Yoga sincerely care.
Therefore, any child who learns Yoga is surrounded by children of "like-minded" parents. Yoga training for children is, in essence, a controlled atmosphere - even though the Yoga class setting is relaxed.
© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
It might seem rather strange that Yoga for kids is becoming more and more popular, but remember that Yoga has been practiced for many thousands of years and has a proven track record of bringing benefits both physical and mental. It seems only logical that, as adults, we should pass these benefits on to our children.
We read daily about youngsters becoming stressed and anxious because of pressures within the education system (exams, extra curricular activities, competition, etc) and also social and peer pressures. If your children seem to be suffering in this way then Kids yoga might just provide one way of easing the tension. Breathing and visualization techniques will teach them how to develop powers of concentration and focus, as well as relaxation and increased self-control.
Yoga for kids is often taught in schools, usually at lunchtimes or after school clubs. Dance studios incorporate yoga into their routines and even daycare centers and pre-schools often have some element of Yoga in their program. Essentially, kids Yoga is FUN and very important to youngsters whose bodies are going through a very difficult stage of development.
In pre-school, yoga for kids is specially designed and adapted to:
1. Teach about body awareness.
2. Develop increased flexibility.
3. Acquire good listening skills.
4. Promote self control.
5. Increase powers of observation.
6. Develop language skills.
7. Increase coordination skills.
8. Promote cooperation with others.
It's quite a list, isn't it? But they are vital skills that all youngsters need to learn if they are to grow up healthy and with a balanced outlook on life. Kids Yoga also teaches youngsters about:
1. The environment.
2. Nature.
3. How to use and develop their imagination.
So, you're probably wondering how all this is achieved? Well, yoga for kids involves lots of moving, singing, playing and mime or imitating things. In other words, it's a FUN activity!
Kids Yoga can also help children with ADHD or any attention-deficit child. If you have a child like this, you'll have noticed how they enjoy (and need) lots of motor and sensory stimulus. The postures, poses and movement in Yoga can provide this stimulus and bring about a calm and confidence that sometimes appears quite miraculous. Postures such as the Warrior and Tree pose are extremely beneficial.
Like adults, children need to relax every so often. Kids Yoga often uses relaxing music and visualization techniques (sometimes 'guided' with a story) to encourage the child to focus on their breathing. Often, a session will end with the child being encouraged to share their experiences. Most importantly, the breathing focus will eventually allow the child to stay calm and in control in stressful situations, both in school and out.
It's never too early to start Yoga and Yoga for kids provides a holistic approach to developing rounded, healthy personalities. Whatever stage of development your son or daughter is at, kids Yoga is one of the best investments you can make in their education AND they will learn vital skills that will stay with them forever.