Children can reap the benefits of yoga, too

The practice can offer an alternative therapy for more than just adults

I have been practicing yoga and reaping its benefits for most of my adult life.

From the time my first grandchild was an infant, his eyes would follow me as I continued to do my yoga whenever I went to visit.

As a toddler, he would try to imitate what he saw me doing on the mat.

Oftentimes he would make up his own poses if mine were too hard to follow or he got bored, and I quickly came to realize I would have to learn how to keep his interest so he didn’t become discouraged.

I did some research and made the decision to take the required training to become a Certified Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT).

This 95-hour immersive in-person course included hands-on instruction with children of all ages and abilities.

In this class, I gained a wealth of knowledge on how to teach yoga to all children and keep them engaged in a class at their own level of ability.

I also saw firsthand how yoga benefited these children not only physically, but mentally and emotionally.

What I want to know is, why aren’t more children doing yoga and why isn’t a structured yoga program implemented in our schools?

I honestly believe it is because most people (adults/parents) are unaware of the numerous benefits of yoga for children.

I think if you ask most parents what they perceive a yoga class for kids to be, they will say it would mimic an adult yoga class only on a more age-appropriate level.

I used to think that way, and it’s not correct.

Unfortunately, there are a number of yoga instructors teaching children who are neither qualified nor certified to teach children’s yoga. They further the misconception about how a children’s yoga class is conducted.

As a Certified Children’s Yoga Teacher, I was trained on how to keep children engaged during a 30- to 60-minute yoga class by incorporating songs, games, stories and more.

They are learning yoga in a way they can relate to by making it fun for them.

In a children’s yoga class, yoga postures are taught, but they are not the primary focus.

Certainly, physical postures improve balance, strength and flexibility. But yoga has also been shown to help children with anxiety, concentration and focus as well as boosting self-esteem and confidence.

Children with special needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and other conditions can also benefit greatly from yoga.

Yoga has been known to improve social skills, communication skills and other challenges that autistic children face, as well as reducing impulsivity and minimizing inattentiveness and hyperactivity in children with ADHD.

Yoga is so much more than the physical aspect of doing poses on a mat. It is a discipline, a way of life, and is quickly becoming an alternative therapy for children on the spectrum.

In August, I started teaching yoga classes at a private school for children with special needs (Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome, etc…), and I am amazed at the progress they have made in just a few short months.

They have even requested that I challenge them each week with more difficult poses and group games that require their active participation.

Let’s all work together to give our children the tools they need to live, work, play and cope in today’s society.