Yoga Classes for Children
Yoga classes for children have many of the same features as adult classes, such as a meditative quality and postures like Downward Facing Dog and Baby Cobra. Because children require a different kind of attention than adults do, however, yoga classes for kids often look like play - and they are. Through play, movement, and creative learning, yoga classes for kids can foster the physical fitness, focus, and sense of wholeness developed through yoga for adults.
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Styles of Yoga and Teaching
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The styles of yoga practiced in kids' classes generally fall under the "Hatha" category of yoga, which involves a logical succession of poses and sequences. Hatha Yoga is the umbrella term for the many lineages of yoga that adults currently practice, like Vinyasa, Anusara, and Restorative. The style of teaching in a kid's class will be different, however. More personal attention, positive reinforcement, demonstration, and silliness can be expected. A good dose of silliness is healthy for any yoga class, but you can expect this to a greater degree in a class for kids.
Other Activities
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Yoga classess for kids incorporate play as the main mode of learning. Because many yoga poses are named after animals like cats, cows, and dogs, and archetypal figures like the warrior, you may hear children mooing, purring, or yelling to embody each pose more fully. Kids' instructors may also incorporate activities that don't look like traditional yoga, like drawing, singing or dancing. Finally, it is not uncommon for an instructor to initiate cool-down by reading a story to prepare her students for Savasana, or Final Resting Pose.
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Benefits
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"When presented in a child's language, yoga can help counter the stress experienced by young people living in a hurry-up world," says Marsha Wenig of YogaKids in the Yoga Journal. Although children may not seem to be "stressed out" in the way adults often are, yoga can address the factors that create stressed adults, like unhealthy lifestyles and constant mental chatter. Yoga can help foster a positive self esteem, bodily awareness within the context of compassion and support, rather than through competitive sports, and can also support the development of greater creativity.
Finding a Class
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Many yoga studios already offer yoga classes for children. If the studios in your area do not teach yoga for kids, simply request that a class be added to the schedule and encourage your fellow studio-goers to do the same. With enough demand, yoga classes for kids could become increasingly popular.
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References
- Photo Credit Yoga In Pink image by Infs from Fotolia.com
