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