Children's Yoga - Mat Magic for the Youngsters

Girls go to ballet, boys to soccer? The traditional gender roles have long since blurred. More and more yogis and yoginis are kids. At some point, they saw a poster for children's yoga, dabbled in yoga, and started their mat-based hobby. Some were introduced by friends or their mothers. For others, their pediatrician recommended that the beneficial effects of yoga are also ideal for little ones. Even at school, fish, eagle, and turtle appear not only in biology but also in physical education classes. Perhaps yoga is suitable for your daughter or son, too?

Motivation - the be-all and end-all for kids

Often, it's childlike curiosity that draws little ones to the mat. If not, you can gently encourage them – but always in a child-friendly way, of course. Typical arguments for yoga – "I can relieve stress so well with it," "my neck is less tense," and "this is my personal time out from everyday life" – aren't really going to entice kids out of their comfort zone. It's better – always age-appropriate – to tell your children something about Buddha or that yoga offers the opportunity to learn many animal figures. Has their curiosity been piqued? Then great first yoga classes are essential.

Are you a camel?

The asanas named after animals in yoga are particularly fascinating for young yogis and yoginis. This can be easily combined with guessing games: The yoga instructor demonstrates an asana, and the kids guess which animal is behind it. Or the little ones' creativity can be stimulated: "How would you portray a cobra or a camel, a turtle or a fish, an eagle or a dove?" With so many animals, the ice is quickly broken, and little ones become little yogis. Of course, you can also harness this enthusiasm at home by practicing the animal asana as a bedtime ritual with a bedtime story.

Buddha - who is that?

In many yoga studios, it's the Buddha who is admired by amazed children. Questions are asked, and childlike curiosity is fueled. Adults appreciate the initial relaxation as a starting point for yoga practice. But with fidgety children, the motto "everything that has nothing to do with yoga stays outside the door" obviously doesn't work. Therefore, a story about Buddha is ideal for blocking out kindergarten and school and allowing the children to exchange everyday life with yoga. Now the first asanas can be practiced. The Buddha's example is ideal: Can any of you hold the lotus position?

Mantras and Mandalas

Mantras play an important role in yoga. This, too, can be taught in an age-appropriate way. Kids can develop their own mantra together with their yoga teacher. It's also fun to accompany a sequence of asanas with children's mantras. The sun salutation is particularly well-suited for this. You can also explain to kids that yoga is an ancient tradition and that many terms come from an equally ancient language – Sanskrit. Whether it's Surya Namaskar, Namaste, or the classic "Om": kids are interested in everything related to foreign cultures. Yoga is truly exciting!

Meditation is boring - or is it?

Kids are like a bag of fleas. Doing meditation or relaxation with them in the classroom - is that possible? Yes, of course! The prerequisite is that it's planned and implemented in a child-friendly way. Guided imagery is a great way to get started. These allow your little ones to travel to their favorite beach, an enchanted forest, or another imaginary location. With the guidance of a yoga instructor, this is a wonderful experience - especially when typical yoga elements are incorporated. The Buddha standing watch among the children, the gong as a valuable sound element, and gentle background music - the kids love all of this, too!

Be mindful

Mindfulness is an important theme in yoga. Children can also be introduced to it. It's best to establish this mindfulness for one's own body. For example, it's a difficult phrase for kids to "ground" themselves with their feet. This becomes easier with a yoga blanket, into which they are supposed to dig their toes. "Sinking into the mat" often works better with the imagination of sinking into the warm sand on the beach. Breathing can be exciting for little ones. It causes our stomachs to move up and down. Who can breathe in so deeply that a small ball falls from their stomach?

Your own mat

For many young yoginis and yogis, it's their pride and joy: their own mat. It's important that it's not bought as a bribe for yoga. Yoga is something that has to come from within us. This applies to children as well. However, if your child truly enjoys yoga, their own mat—in their favorite color, of course—is a wonderful gift. A cute addition could be a cotton bag embroidered with their name. Alternatives could be a cozy yoga blanket or—for older children—a fascinating book about Buddha. What yoga child wouldn't be delighted?

Children in adult classes? Better not!

This combination isn't advisable. Because yoga is your time out—which also means time out from the kids. It's also better for children to experience the joy that comes with a proper yoga practice through age-appropriate yoga. And sometimes you can even discuss things better with a yoga teacher than with your parents. Yoga is our own space—give your child that too. There are, of course, exceptions: Some studios offer mother & child yoga, and some tour operators offer yoga holidays for the whole family—although your shared sun salutation on the beach will surely work well in private, too.

Enthusiasm - not necessarily contagious

Those who have discovered the wonderful aspects yoga offers for their own lives want to pass on this good news. To friends and family, colleagues, and children. But with yoga, it's the same as with other things. Enthusiasm isn't always shared. And sometimes we may even overdo it in trying to convert others. That's why one thing is important: Of course, it's great if you can get your children excited about yoga. But it's also perfectly fine if they prefer other hobbies. Then why not try ballet or soccer – while you relax with yoga?