Children's yoga is good and fun
Recently at a mother-child gymnastics class: While the mothers were busy with postnatal exercises, the children impressively demonstrated how naturally
children practice yoga . Marie, Lucia, Nikos, and Finn lay on their stomachs as a baby quartet on a giant play mat – not on a yoga mat, at that – and diligently practiced the cobra pose. They pushed themselves up onto their tiny hands and very slowly raised their heads. Then they stretched their arms, tensed their shoulders and backs, and finally returned to the starting position, tirelessly repeating the exercise. Lucia and Nikos had recently learned to twist, and lying on their backs, they now managed to sit up. Marie and Finn, who could already sit up independently, did so with their legs casually spread. Some yoga movements are so natural that we all practice them instinctively before we can walk – practically from birth.
Children's yoga – exercises for all senses and good mood
From toddlers to teenagers: Children of all ages can be introduced to yoga exercises in a playful way. Yoga is good for children because there is never any pressure to perform. Some children experience this pressure as early as playgroup – and it usually grows into a heavy burden later in kindergarten, school, or sports club. Yoga is different. Yoga creates balance; children learn to trust their bodies and to feel themselves. The calm and concentrated, yet relaxed atmosphere of children's yoga is a welcome change from the stress that even small children increasingly experience. When mothers or fathers practice yoga exercises at home, the offspring are generally interested.
This
initial contact with yoga is perfectly fine. However, if children show sustained interest, we recommend enrolling in a yoga class for children. Qualified teachers ensure the correct execution of movements and select child-friendly exercises. They also package the yoga elements in short stories and games, tailored to the respective age group.
How a yoga class for children works
Some yoga schools offer classes starting at kindergarten age. Yoga teachers should, if possible, have additional training in early childhood education so they can consider the needs of young children and adapt their teaching style to their physical and mental abilities. For schoolchildren, taster courses are also offered as part of open all-day classes or through sports clubs – an alternative if the nearest yoga school is too far away. A yoga class for kindergarten and elementary school children contains calming, harmonizing, and activating elements. The class begins with welcoming games and simple relaxation and breathing exercises, sometimes involving small children's favorite stuffed animals. Modified asanas follow. Inspired by traditional yoga postures, they often differ in name and execution. Many children love the sun salutation sequences, especially when a fitting story about the sun as the source of life is told. The classes usually end with silent exercises or relaxing massage games. Teenagers feel most comfortable in special yoga classes for their age group because doing yoga with people of the same age is simply cooler than a regular class with a correspondingly higher average age.
Little yogis have special requirements
Whether it's playful yoga with lots of additional elements or a child-friendly adaptation of Hatha Yoga: with a variety of well-coordinated exercises, children will never get bored.
Meditative exercises can also be easily integrated if the surroundings are exciting and understandable for children. Children like to imitate and thus discover the asanas. Teachers therefore have a role model function in the truest sense of the word; they must engage with the children, offer support, and show empathy. Sincere praise is good for children, but don't overdo it: children instinctively sense when the praise isn't meant sincerely. The most important thing is that children act on their own initiative and enjoy what they do – just like babies, who develop both mind and body through their movements.
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