Is Yoga Good for Children?

While you may hear the word "yoga" and picture a group of sweaty adults in a dim studio, yoga isn't just for the over 18 crowd. In fact, children can reap specific benefits from the practice. Stretching, breathing and imagery activities all work together to make yoga a form of exercise that both you and your child can enjoy.

  1. Behavioral Benefits

    • While yoga is mostly a physical practice, the focus on the mind and body can offer some behavioral benefits for your energetic tyke. Yoga Journal points out that yoga can calm and relax kids while it helps to improve their concentration. What's more, yoga teaches a spirit of compassion and cooperation from which children can benefit. You can also expect an uptick in self-confidence as your child learns new skills and poses and learns to respect her body.

    Let's Move, Baby

    • You can expect your little one to love wiggling, posing and moving during her yoga practice. PBS Parents notes that yoga allows children to become more aware of their bodies, thus building greater appreciation for flexibility and movement. Your child will also learn awareness -- when a pose doesn't feel good, she can change her body and be the "boss" of her movements.

    Pint-sized Poses

    • It seems like some yoga poses -- also called asanas -- are simply made for children. Some poses are particularly fun for kids to execute because they engage their imaginations. Mind Body Green suggests poses like Candle for kids -- you can explain that your child should lie on her mat and then push her feet straight into the air while she balances on her elbows and upper back -- her hands should support her lower back. She should pretend that her feet are a flickering flame. Or, have her try Cat/Cow pose by explaining that she should get on all fours and arch her back like a cat and then drop her belly to the floor like a cow.

    At Home and at Play

    • Yoga classes for kids will introduce your child to the practice as well as help her make friends and socialize with other kids interested in yoga, movement and exercise. If there isn't a yoga class for kids near you, you can lead your own class with child-appropriate poses along with breathing exercises and quiet time. Dim the lights, pull out the mats and play some quiet instrumental music and you can help your child reap the benefits of yoga anytime, anywhere.