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Family yoga

Family yoga has all the benefits of children's yoga with the added benefit

of deepening the emotional bond. Yoga is a great activity that you can do

with your child of any age.  Family yoga is basically adult and child yoga,

 older and younger sibling, grandparent and grandchild, auntie/uncle and                    

niece/nephew, childminder and child or carer and child. It involves some

independent poses or postures, yoga games, some partner and some group

postures. It may even involve acrobatic yoga for the yogis who enjoy the challenge.  It is a relaxed yet fun environment, simlilar to children's yoga, there are times when it is fun, energetic and lively and times when it is quiet and calm, with each person working to their own level. It is a place to meet new people, form friendships and explore creativity, while building confidence and self-esteem, as well as a strong and healthy bodies.

      Watch the video to find out more. 

Why yoga for Children?

 

In today's society life for children and teenagers can be stressful.  Stress and anxiety are becoming more commonplace in young people's lives and yoga can offer support to develop their journey into adulthood. Whatever their age, they also need regular exercise to live a healthy life, and whatever their choice of exercise it needs to be something they enjoy.

 

Yoga unites the body, breath and mind. It promotes an awareness of feeling and understanding, e.g. how slow deep breathing can change the mood and support self-control. Yoga is a tool for self-discipline. Children and teenagers often need a quiet place, just like adults, and yoga can help them relax enough in freedom to just be who they are! 

The Key Benefits of Children's Yoga

 

* Practicing yoga can build a strong foundation to  develop physical and mental skills, improving the  mind/body connection; yoga assists neuromuscular-  development, concentration skills and promotes the    development of the vestibular system.

* Many postures encourage the midline crossing motions;    motor development on both sides of the body.

* Children's is a healthy, fun and non-  competitive.

* Regular yoga practice can develop a strong and flexible  body, increase balance, body awareness and co-ordination.

* Core strength can also be developed through regular yoga  practice. Core strength is essential for good posture and  correct physical alignment.

* Yoga can improve digestion and circulation.

* Children's yoga is interactive, where they can take part in suggesting their ideas, such as postures to include in the class. This can provide an ideal opportunity to learn important skills such as leadership, co-operation,  team building, understanding and empathy.  

* Creativity is also big part of children's yoga -  where they explore their creative mind.

* Yoga can strengthen the immune system, relax the body  and mind and promote deeper sleep.

 

               Yoga as a Therapeutic Intervention

               for children with Special Needs

               and Disabilities

I consider myself fortunate in having had the opportunity to train with Jo Manuel, of the Special Yoga Foundation.  Jo is the UK’s leading practitioner and Teacher Trainer of Therapeutic Yoga for Children with Special Needs. As described on the Special Yoga Foundation website  "This powerful course gives students the essential tools to make Yoga’s therapeutic benefits accessible to infants and children with various special needs, helping them reach their full potential. It also highlights the importance of connecting with the children. Principles are fully illustrated by demonstrations with children of different ages and abilities."

 

This type of yoga involves working closely, in a 1-1 situation with the child - but the parent can stay in the room. With Special Yoga, the intention is for the child to gain the most strength and balance that they can; releasing their fears and embracing life in their own body. Practicing Yoga in this way can help children to manage their emotions, increase their concentration and attention span, developing a calmer mind.  Regular practice of yoga can strengthen anatomical and neurological structures, balancing the nervous system with its inherent healing properties.

Yoga for Schools

Yoga is a simple way to feel better, reduce stress and boost self-esteem. Yoga supports the holistic development of children, educating the whole child, thus maximizing the learning process. By introducing yoga into schools a greater number of children can enjoy the benefits.

As written by Jennifer Van Pelt, MA, in Social Work Today;

          ‘Clinical studies have shown that yoga not only improves physical fitness in children but also contributes to better                    academic performance and emotional balance.’

Yoga is not a magical solution that will change children’s lives after one session. Like any skill, it takes time and practice to learn, using a growth mindset to progress along the journey. Highlighting the importance of ‘Every Child Matters’, yoga is non-competitive where all children engage and progress at their own level, impacting positively on their well-being. Highly competitive sports enthusiasts and many professionals also enjoy the benefits of yoga, as it builds strength, flexibility and stamina, but yoga is also for those who do not thrive in a competitive environment; for those who usually do not enjoy PE, it creates a space for them to flourish as an individual.  As the ‘observer’ will monitor each child’s development, the children will soon discover the benefits for themselves.

To quote Brandon of Quarry Brae Primary school

“I used to have a quick temper and yoga has calmed that.” 

‘Scottish children feel benefits of yoga’ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8572385.stm

It is not just Scotland that is enjoying the benefits of including yoga in their schools. A growing number of schools across the UK, Europe and beyond are including yoga practice as part of their school day.  This may be during P.E. and PSHE lessons, breakfast and after-school clubs, or perhaps a ‘themed’ school week (Healthy Schools, Health & Fitness).

Yoga can have a wider impact than just on the children taking part in the classes. It can also impact on the staff, parents and carers to create a greater sense of well-being, as the children become calmer and less stressed, this has a positive impact on their peers and leaders. What greater reason could there be than to include yoga in your school!

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