| ga's recognition grows, more avenues regarding this | | | | showcase the more gentle poses and use simple |
| practice are being considered for children. Marsha | | | | yoga accessories such as straps and teach breathing |
| Wenig, who created YogaKids Classes, which trains | | | | exercises. "I think we are finally realizing that our |
| teachers all over the country, says there is much more | | | | children are under a tremendous amount of stress, and |
| interest today in kids' classes. "When I started, there | | | | that yoga is a healthy way to deal with that stress," |
| was maybe one other yoga teacher for kids," she | | | | says Theresa Banks, a certified kids’ yoga |
| says. "Now there are thousands of people around the | | | | teacher. "Some kids aren’t into competitive |
| country teaching yoga to children. It’s very | | | | sports, but yoga is for everyone. We bring yoga to life |
| different from teaching yoga to grownups."Although a | | | | for kids with sound and movement and poses. |
| new concept, kid’s yoga grew from parents | | | | It’s not a quiet class."These programs can be a |
| seeing their children could benefit from it and also gain | | | | very satisfying pursuit as it can facilitate self-conscious |
| body knowledge, coordination, and stress relief. Over | | | | children become more aware of the things they can |
| the last several years, yoga classes that incorporate | | | | do, improving their physical, general and mental health. |
| simple yoga accessories for kids of all ages have | | | | Using a simple yoga accessory like a block can give |
| been springing up in yoga centers, park districts and | | | | the most awkward child confidence. "Yoga can be a |
| schools. Yoga also assists children to develop tough, | | | | fun, healthy fitness tool for all schools," says Lori Rose |
| elastic and hale bodies as well as promote imagination, | | | | Benson, the Department of Education’s director |
| increase attention span and cultivate self-esteem. | | | | of fitness and health education. "Students increase |
| “With yoga exercises, you’re bonding | | | | their muscle strength and flexibility without needing a lot |
| with your baby…Depending on your flexibility, | | | | of extra equipment or space. It's very exciting that this |
| you can do all sorts of playful things with your baby in | | | | centuries-old form is helping a whole new generation |
| various yoga positions…” according to | | | | incorporate exercise into their daily lives." Widespread |
| Marsha Wenig in Fitness magazine. | | | | benefits of yoga for children are sustaining a vigorous |
| Not every type of yoga can be used as yoga for | | | | body and combating illnesses. For kids who are not |
| children though. Their necessities are different – | | | | good at (or don’t enjoy) conventional sports, |
| their physical bodies, growth rates and metabolism | | | | yoga may offer a much-needed physical means in a |
| fluctuate seriously from those of adults. This must be | | | | viable environment. As they reach the teen years, |
| taken into concern when bearing in mind kid’s | | | | yoga can help young adults get comfortable with their |
| yoga. There are, however, a good number of | | | | altering bodies and grant them behavior to battle |
| programs fashioned more than ever for children that | | | | stress in academic and social situations. |