In the never-ending battle to find activities for kids, there is one activity that is often overlooked. The practice of yoga, which is well known to calm the stresses and problems of adult life, can also be used in order to teach kids great habits. Perhaps more immediately, it can be used to calm down children after they have eaten or if they feel especially rambunctious. Teaching kids yoga classes can be fun and educational for children and adults simultaneously.
The practice of yoga is usually stereotyped as slow and plodding. This does not have to be the case at all, nor should it be if you are trying to teach it to kids.
Yoga And Children Go Together Naturally
There is speculation that Yoga was originally a martial art that was used in martial situations. As it was brought to Western culture, it was slowed down and revered for its other properties, most of which you know. However, in teaching yoga to kids, some of the faster (Kundalini-type) motions that were used in its original form may be reincorporated into the lesson plan.
Kids also have much more naturally flexible bodies. This will give them the ability to perform more difficult yogic positions and moves more immediately than some adults. The secret here is not to limit the learning abilities of the children based upon the weaknesses of adults. In order to do this, you may need to train yourself to speed up the yogic practice slightly or hire a teacher that specializes in translating yoga to children.
Resources to Teach Yoga to Children
There are many books on the practice of teaching yoga to children as well. Most of these books may actually seem quite advanced to the adult reader; however, it is good to remember the children can learn faster physical motions than adults. They are less prone to injury. This does not mean you can completely discount their ability to be injured, but in order to keep them enthusiastic about the practice, you should challenge their bodies with more difficult yogic positions.
Yoga As Self-Defense for Children
You may also choose to incorporate some of these self-defense practices of yoga into the training sessions. The great thing about yoga is that it uses the body weight of the opponent against him or her, so it is much more effective against bigger opponents. There is also very little direct striking in yoga self-defense. This gives a child the ability to defend him or herself without actually injuring the attacker. This is a great advantage to have in places in which a child must be careful such as school and playing sports with other children.
Yoga Can Be Fun!
No matter what, you need to make sure that the practice of yoga is fun for children. This is the only way that they will be able to create the habits in themselves that will allow them to continue the practice later. If you can successfully do this by following the tips above, then you will have a much calmer and more balanced child that is also physically fit.
The practice of yoga is usually stereotyped as slow and plodding. This does not have to be the case at all, nor should it be if you are trying to teach it to kids.
Yoga And Children Go Together Naturally
There is speculation that Yoga was originally a martial art that was used in martial situations. As it was brought to Western culture, it was slowed down and revered for its other properties, most of which you know. However, in teaching yoga to kids, some of the faster (Kundalini-type) motions that were used in its original form may be reincorporated into the lesson plan.
Kids also have much more naturally flexible bodies. This will give them the ability to perform more difficult yogic positions and moves more immediately than some adults. The secret here is not to limit the learning abilities of the children based upon the weaknesses of adults. In order to do this, you may need to train yourself to speed up the yogic practice slightly or hire a teacher that specializes in translating yoga to children.
Resources to Teach Yoga to Children
There are many books on the practice of teaching yoga to children as well. Most of these books may actually seem quite advanced to the adult reader; however, it is good to remember the children can learn faster physical motions than adults. They are less prone to injury. This does not mean you can completely discount their ability to be injured, but in order to keep them enthusiastic about the practice, you should challenge their bodies with more difficult yogic positions.
Yoga As Self-Defense for Children
You may also choose to incorporate some of these self-defense practices of yoga into the training sessions. The great thing about yoga is that it uses the body weight of the opponent against him or her, so it is much more effective against bigger opponents. There is also very little direct striking in yoga self-defense. This gives a child the ability to defend him or herself without actually injuring the attacker. This is a great advantage to have in places in which a child must be careful such as school and playing sports with other children.
Yoga Can Be Fun!
No matter what, you need to make sure that the practice of yoga is fun for children. This is the only way that they will be able to create the habits in themselves that will allow them to continue the practice later. If you can successfully do this by following the tips above, then you will have a much calmer and more balanced child that is also physically fit.
Faye Martins, is a Yoga teacher and a graduate of the Yoga teacher training program at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA.
1 comment:
Children can learn faster physical motions than adults but in order to keep them enthusiastic in the practice, you should challenge their bodies with more difficult yogic positions. Its a good article!
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