Beth Borowsky, is the Founder of Karma Kids Yoga, and believes yoga for little ones is a great way to boost mental and physical wellbeing – and have some fun too.
Here she outlines the top four benefits of yoga for kids.
1. Develops body awareness
Yoga develops a connection between the body and the mind in a calm and relaxing environment. Yoga improves children’s strength and dexterity but also highlights the importance of strong muscles and bones, and how sitting up straight allows their internal organs to work effectively. “With so much hunching over handheld devices, to collapsed in front of the TV, these are important lessons to prevent long term spinal defects,” says Borowsky.
Circle of love: Kids enjoying a yoga and mindfulness class at Karma Kids Yoga.
2. Learn the magic of breath
“To illustrate the magic that lives inside them, children are encouraged to use a magic breathing ball ... a simple balloon,” says Beth. “We ask them to follow the movement of the sphere in tandem with the movement of their breath. The exercise encourages them to control their breathing, filling their lungs and taking deeper breaths. Children can use this technique whenever they are feeling sad or angry, by visualising a sphere and sitting quietly to breathe magic into their body so that they feel calmer.”
3. Yoga sparks creativity
Children’s yoga classes combine traditional yoga poses with breathing exercises, stories, music, visualisation, meditation and mindfulness to create a unique experience that makes kids feel good both inside and out. “This sparks children’s imagination and creativity, while keeping them interested and focused, as they immerse themselves in the the elements of the journey,” says Beth.
4. Builds confidence in a noncompetitive environment
“There is no such thing as ‘I can’t’ in yoga. Children are encouraged to be curious and try everything. The best thing about yoga is that it’s not competitive – a rare feature in children’s lives these days. In an environment that nurtures acceptance and kindness, children are able to build their confidence and self esteem and learn to honour their strengths and their weaknesses,” says Beth.
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