Page 120 - April Issue
P. 120
in focus: infant | wellness
Yoga
for Kids
Children are very
impressionable
as they have not
yet experienced
everything the
world has to
offer. Introducing
yoga will provide
excellent lifestyle
and health benefits.
mother, baby & child April 2011 Stress Management for instance, might use the Children are asked to strike
for Kids meditation or breathing poses from nature and create
techniques of yoga to help her a story board to act it all out.
According to Noura El-Imam, calm down and focus.” They might assume the pose
Yogalates Instructor who runs Self Awareness of a snake, or a tree, or a dog
her own kids yoga class suitably Yoga for kids, says El-Imam, or cat. Then they are asked
named “Mini Yogis,” there also enhances self-awareness. to imagine what it would be
are many benefits for children “Children who practice yoga like to be those life forms. In
doing yoga. “First, children learn early on to tune into this way, children learn early
experience many of the same their bodies,” she says and on to connect with all the
physical benefits adults do also self esteem is increased life on the planet and realise
from practising yoga,” she as the children gain control that similarities far outweigh
says, “Yoga strengthens them over their bodies and minds. differences.
and helps them become more Balancing postures like Tree
flexible, coordinated, build Pose (standing on one leg), Fun with Discipline
overall endurance and core airplane pose and eagle pose
strength without realising it.” El- are challenging and rewarding Yoga, points out El-Imam, also
Imam points out that she does at the same time when they teaches children to have fun
not stress on reps and sets with accomplish a balance pose fully, and move their bodies in a
them; “I simply have them move they become ecstatic and this con-competitive environment.
into yoga poses playfully not promotes self-focus, confidence “Yoga isn’t about being right or
to dissolve their short span of and strength, she says. wrong, or being best or worst,”
attention.” By practicing yoga, she explains, “There is no
children can learn ways to Imagination competition or ego. It is about
relax and get control of stress in bringing unity to one’s own life.”
their lives, she says, “A Yoga for kids enhances Children can work together to
child worried about a test, imagination and empathy. help each other reach this goal.
120
