7 Amazing Yoga Poses For Children
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Teaching yoga to your kids in the best thing you can do for them. It helps them pick healthy lifestyle habits at a young age, paving the way for a happy life.
Many schools have started incorporating yoga in physical education classes and after-school activities. And for the right reasons.
Not just us, but kids are also equally affected by everyday pressures. And kids are more vulnerable and sensitive to problems. Yoga helps them face and overcome them bravely. Therefore, it is best for you to create a yoga-friendly environment at home and help your kid make it a routine.
You must be wondering how to do this. Don’t worry, begin with the following 7 yoga poses for kids to practice.
Take a look and get down to teach them. Easy peasy.
Yoga For Children
This generation’s kids are not growing up the way we did. They are under immense pressure to perform well. Added to that are the information overload and the countless distractions that come with it.
Children do need yoga if you think of it. Yoga helps them deal with the pressures of the modern lifestyle. It gives them the energy, endurance, and confidence to deal with the world.
You must be wondering how to get them to do yoga. Well, show them how to do it, practice every day and make it seem like it is the best thing ever.
Don’t emphasize too much about getting the alignment right. Allow the kids to interpret the asana in their manner and use their creativity. Just make sure they don’t deviate from the asana way too much.
A study conducted at Harvard Medical School clearly showed that yoga drastically improved the mental health of adolescents. And, that’s what we need right now.
The amount of emotional, social, and physical challenges that kids face today is more than what people of that age can handle. They need a system that will help them get through it.
And, there is nothing better than yoga for it. Yoga improves mind-body coordination, increases concentration, enhances focus, and keeps the kid away from problems like obesity, sinusitis, insomnia, etc.
Yoga will keep them fit and confident, which will go a long way in shaping their personalities and life. Yoga enables the kids to develop unique survival skills that help them face the world.
It is not going to be easy for the kids, and hence it is even more important to get them trained in yoga and face the world bravely.
Let’s begin with the following yoga poses for children.
Yoga Poses For Kids
Remember not all asanas taught to adults are suitable for children. The following yoga poses are the best to teach your child.
- Virasana
- Gomukhasana
- Ananda Balasana
- Bhujangasana
- Marjariasana
- Sethu Bandhasana
- Adho Mukha Svanasana
1. Virasana (Hero Pose)
About The Pose: Virasana or the Hero Pose is an asana that helps you conquer your inner turmoil. It is a beginner level Hatha yoga asana. Practice it in the morning for best results and not necessarily on an empty stomach. Hold the pose for 30 to 60 seconds.
Benefits For The Kid: Virasana improves digestion and blood circulation. It is therapeutic for asthma and improves body posture. The pose removes tiredness in the legs and relaxes them.
To know more about the pose and its manner of practice, click here: Virasana
2. Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose)
About The Pose: Gomukhasana or the Cow Face Pose is an asana that resembles the cow’s face. ‘Go’ means cow, and ‘Mukha’ means face. It is a beginner level Vinyasa yoga asana. Practice the asana on an empty stomach early in the morning. Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds.
Benefits For The Kid: Gomukhasana uproots depression and induces relaxation. It stimulates the kidneys and reduces backache. The pose uproots hypertension issues and stretches the shoulders.
To know more about the pose and its manner of practice, click here: Gomukhasana
3. Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby Pose)
About The Pose: Ananda Balasana or the Happy Baby Pose is an asana that we see in babies usually lying on the bed. It is a beginner level Vinyasa yoga asana. Practice the asana in the morning or evening on an empty stomach. Hold the pose for at least 30 seconds.
Benefits For The Kid: Ananda Balasana calms the brain and helps relieve fatigue. It opens up the shoulders and the chest, increases the arm strength, and releases tension trapped in the back.
To know more about the pose and its manner of practice, click here: Ananda Balasana
4. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
About The Pose: Bhujangasana or the Cobra Pose is an energizing backbend that resembles the raised hood of a cobra. It is a beginner level Ashtanga yoga asana. Practice it in the morning on an empty stomach and hold the pose for 15 to 30 seconds.
Benefits For The Kid: Bhujangasana strengthens the shoulders and increases the flexibility of the body. It elevates the mood and invigorates the heart. The pose improves the circulation of oxygen in the body.
To know more about the pose and its manner of practice, click here: Bhujangasana
5. Marjariasana (Cat Pose)
About The Pose: Marjariasana or the Cat Pose is an asana that is a good stretch. It is a beginner level Ashtanga yoga asana. Practice it in the morning or evening on an empty stomach and clean bowels. Hold the pose for 10 seconds at a stretch.
Benefits For The Kid: Marjariasana strengthens the wrists and massages the digestive organs. It relaxes the mind and improves blood circulation.
To know more about the pose and its manner of practice, click here: Marjariasana
6. Sethu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
About The Pose: Sethu Bandhasana or the Bridge Pose is an asana that resembles the structure of a bridge and is hence named so. It is a beginner level Vinyasa yoga asana. Practice it in the morning on an empty stomach and hold the pose for 30 to 60 seconds.
Benefits For The Kid: Sethu Bandhasana calms the brain and the central nervous system. It stimulates the lungs and the thyroid glands. The pose reduces headache and insomnia.
To know more about the pose and its manner of practice, click here: Sethu Bandhasana
7. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose)
About The Pose: Adho Mukha Svanasana or the Downward Facing Dog Pose is an asana that looks like a dog bending forward. It is a beginner level Ashtanga yoga asana. Practice it in the morning or evening on an empty stomach and hold the pose for 1 to 3 minutes.
Benefits For The Kid: Adho Mukha Svanasana energizes and rejuvenates the mind and body. The pose strengthens the arms, legs, feet, and shoulders. It relieves fatigue and is therapeutic for high blood pressure.
To know more about the pose and its manner of practice, click here: Adho Mukha Svanasana
It is your duty to let children explore. You must introduce them to concepts and ideas and let them choose. Yoga is an ancient tradition that they need to know and practice to lead a healthy life. Initiate them into it with the poses mentioned above and watch the magic unfold.
Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions
Does yoga work the same way it does on adults?
Absolutely. In fact, kids are more receptive, so yoga works better on them.
How often should kids practice yoga?
Children should practice yoga once every day, preferably in the morning.
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