| Yoga is an extraordinary system of well being that | | | | teacher or occasionally, the student. The child is |
| has many therapeutic physical, emotional, and mental | | | | encouraged to use their imagination and see the |
| benefits including: | | | | images in their mind as well as feel them in their body. |
| Improved functioning of all body systems | | | | This "whole body" experience is more effective as a |
| Increased focus, concentration and attention span | | | | long term therapy technique. |
| Increased strength, endurance, and flexibility | | | | This is often the child's favorite part of the yoga |
| Reduced stress level and peace of mind | | | | experience. This proves that children are seeking a |
| More relaxed, proper sleep | | | | place where they can relax with safety and let their |
| Increased self-esteem and confidence | | | | minds be free. |
| Developed sense of self-awareness and | | | | After relaxation, a candle is lit and the child may |
| self-control | | | | choose to make a wish. This integrates sharing their |
| Enhanced creative abilities and problem solving | | | | own peaceful experience with the world around them. |
| skills | | | | A song or chant is sung to bring sound therapy into the |
| A sense of joy within oneself and in the world | | | | experience. Sometimes the chant "om" is sung. |
| Imagine...children of all ages and abilities using breathing | | | | Sometimes the word "peace" or "happy" is chanted. |
| techniques to relax themselves. | | | | Sometimes a peaceful song such as Imagine, by John |
| Breathing techniques increase body awareness, | | | | Lennon, is sung. Whatever the word or sound, the |
| develop physical and psychological control, and calm | | | | children love to make their wishes and send them out |
| the body and mind. They are easy to do when certain | | | | in the world with a therapeutic chant or song. |
| tools or physical prompts are utilized. | | | | The Role of the Parent |
| For example, a small toy can be placed on the child's | | | | Parental involvement greatly enhances their child's |
| belly. As the child breathes in, they watch the toy go | | | | yoga practice experience. The more knowledge the |
| up as their belly expands. As they exhale, the belly | | | | parent has about yoga as a therapeutic modality, the |
| deflates and the toy on the belly goes down. We | | | | more the child will understand the importance of the |
| often refer to this as "belly breathing." In this way, | | | | practice in their daily lives. |
| breath control becomes a task all children can master | | | | It is ideal when the parent makes yoga part of their |
| with enjoyment and success. | | | | daily experience as well. Then the parent and child can |
| Imagine...children of all ages and abilities practicing | | | | practice together at home. Partner yoga poses can be |
| movements to balance, strengthen, focus, and calm | | | | utilized to create a deeper bond within the family. |
| themselves. | | | | These poses are fun and exciting while allowing the |
| Traditional yoga practices such as yoga postures are | | | | healing benefits to continue at home and with their |
| taught along with the breathing techniques. | | | | loved ones. This helps to incorporate the therapy as a |
| Developmentally appropriate movements and activities | | | | way of life rather than just a once-a-week class. In |
| are created for each age group with special attention | | | | addition, both the child and parent receive the many |
| to the individual needs of each child. | | | | wonderful healing benefits of a daily yoga routine. |
| Inclusive education and practice has been proven to | | | | Expanding Yoga into Schools and Daycare Centers |
| benefit all children. The safe environment in which yoga | | | | To create lasting change, yoga needs to be |
| practice takes place allows for less demands and | | | | incorporated not only in the home life but into the daily |
| more creative play. The children feel free to try | | | | school routine as well. Not only will the child receive the |
| movements and activities knowing there is no "test" at | | | | benefits in a class; they will be able to see it practiced |
| the end of the session. True joy of learning occurs as | | | | at home and at school. This helps make the practice |
| a result. This reduction of pressure and performance | | | | become a way of life for the child, the family and the |
| leads the child to want to succeed and practice | | | | community around them. Ideally, they learn to view |
| intrinsically. All children can succeed because all children | | | | yoga as a serious tool that can help everyone, children |
| can improve. | | | | and adults, manage their own physical and emotional |
| There is a routine structure to the yoga class that | | | | challenges finding a place of balance and peace within |
| always begins with an introduction, meditative peace | | | | themselves. |
| breath or other breathing techniques. Then we move | | | | Conclusion |
| into warm ups, postures, movements and games. | | | | There is no doubt that yoga is a therapeutic system |
| Class will always end with relaxation, visualization and | | | | for overall well being and health. It incorporates "whole |
| the wishing peace candle. Structure provides safety | | | | body" learning...body, mind, and the inner self. It allows |
| for all children because the child knows what to | | | | for creativity and wonder while engaging in an ancient |
| expect in each class even if the postures, games, or | | | | practice of breath and movement. Its many benefits |
| breathing skills differ in each class. | | | | apply to every person regardless of age or ability. It |
| Each class incorporates the use of a theme. This | | | | can be done anywhere. All children can learn the |
| theme unites all of the aspects of the practice and | | | | movements because it works with the natural |
| helps the child focus on the lesson. Some examples of | | | | experiences of the body. It does not force change. It |
| themes are the seasons, holidays, character education, | | | | allows for the changes to take place slowly and |
| ethical values, philosophy, science, and the environment. | | | | gradually. It heals and it soothes. It creates a sense of |
| Breathing techniques, posture sequences, relaxation, | | | | accomplishment and it feels good. |
| and visualization are linked to the theme. Sometimes | | | | Imagine...schools incorporating stress management skills |
| the children love to create their own themes and | | | | into the school day. |
| lessons. This greatly enhances the child's creative | | | | Imagine...daycare centers utilizing breathing techniques, |
| abilities as they design and share their own visualization | | | | visualization, and relaxation skills in their programs. |
| stories, postures, and breathing skills. In addition, children | | | | Imagine...a parent's joy as they observe their child |
| feel empowered since they receive a sense of | | | | taking care of themselves by using these skills to |
| ownership in their learning process. | | | | manage their physical and emotional needs. |
| Imagine...children of all ages and abilities managing | | | | Imagine...children feeling good about themselves and |
| stress by using relaxation and visualization techniques. | | | | the world around them as they become active |
| At the end of each class, a special relaxation takes | | | | participants in creating their own healthy, happy, and |
| place where the child gets to lay down on their yoga | | | | peaceful lives. |
| mat with a blanket and eyepillow. Soft music is played | | | | Imagine...a whole new way to learn and |
| while a creative visualization story is described by the | | | | grow....peacefully. |