Benefits Children's Yoga?

Headline benefits of children's yoga:

  • Develops flexibility, helping to protect your body from injury, aches and pains

  • Is exercise for your body, inside and out, massaging and strengthening your internal organs

  • Promotes calm and relaxation

  • Improves concentration

Research has shown that children and young people today face the following challenges:

  • Emotional and physiological stress

  • Over-stimulation

  • Environmental pollution, toxins and allergens

  • In appropriate and frightening exposure of media

  • Inability to self-regulate, concentrate, learn and grow

  • Chronic stress leading to a detrimental impact on health and the ability to learn and grow

Additionally, Co-Vid has had the following impact on children:

  1. A quarter of children (5-16 years) reported disrupted sleep

  2. 5% of children often or always felt lonely

  3. There has been a marked reduction in physical activity

  4. One in six children has a probable mental health disorder, up from one in nine three years ago

 Blending of sources old and new for solutions to current challenges

Although the research is concerning, we live in an eminently resourceful world, where techniques old and new are being blended together to offer solutions to these current day challenges.

Research also supports the science behind this 5,000-year-old practice which has numerous benefits for adults and children, including:

  • Increased physical fitness

  • Enhanced strength, flexibility and balance

  • Neuromuscular and motor development

  • Development of the vestibular system for balance and co-ordination

  • Strengthened digestive system

  • Improved blood flow and strengthened immune system

  • Improved breathing awareness and asthma management

  • Better quality sleep

  • Improved brain function - enhanced cognitive mental function

  • Improved academic performance

  • Improved memory

  • Enhanced attention span

  • Enhanced imagination and creativity

  • Increased energy levels

  • Improved symptoms of ADHD, including self control, hyperactivity, impulsivity, attention span, anxiety

  • Improved overall mental wellbeing

  • Relief from stress and anxiety

  • Improved inner strength and self-esteem

  • Improved self-awareness and connection between body, mind and emotions

  • Improved relationships with others

  • Positive changes in empathy, tolerance and understanding

  • Development of more compassionate thoughts, speech and action

  • Non-competitive, providing an alternative and inclusive physical activity for those who don't like competitive sports

  • Minimal space and equipment required

  • Improved healthy lifestyle choices, including an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables

  • An introduction to mindfulness, encouraging a focus on the present to develop confidence and resilience