Yoga is one form of practise which includes breath control and specific body postures (asanas), that provides a range of physical, spiritual and mental relaxation.
It teaches children to be calm while gaining awareness of the bodies, self-control and discipline
The following are easy yoga asanas that will benefit children and help them to remain healthy.
Sarvangasana - Shoulder Stand Pose
- Nourishes the brain by increasing blood flow to it.
- Strengthens the arms and legs.
- Keeps the spine flexible, ensuring participation in a wide range of physical activities.
Virabhadrasana - Warrior Pose
- Tones the arms and leg muscles.
- Helps improve balance in the body.
- Increases stamina.
Vrikshasana - Tree Pose
- Tones the arms and legs, Children are able to enjoy physical activities.
- Helps strengthen the back, thereby increasing height.
- Increases concentration power and focus, certainly a great help with homework.
- Enhances mind-body balance.
Dhanurasana - Bow Pose
- Strengthens the arm and leg muscles.
- Makes the back strong and flexible.
- Helps relieve stress and fatigue.
Shavasana - Corpse Pose
- Rejuvenates the body. Releases stress and fatigue.
- Calms the mind, improving concentration.
- Stimulates blood circulation, energizing the body.
Adho Mukhasvanasana – The Dog Pose
- It helps build your child’s upper body strength.
- It helps regulate blood pressure and enhances your child’s immune system.
- It helps eliminate fatigue and back pain.
Tadasana – The Mountain Pose
- Improve your child’s balance
- Tone up his abdominal muscles & organs
- Increase his flexibility
Uttanasana – The Rag Doll Pose
- Helps prevent getting injured during play by building flexibility
- It is fabulous for reversing the blood flow which helps re-oxygenate the body.
Padmasana - Lotus Pose
- It helps to stretch your ankles and knees.
- It stimulates the pelvis, spine, and abdominal area.
- It can help tone up hip and thigh muscles.
Ananda Balasana – The Happy Baby Pose
- It can help calm the mind, relieve tiredness & fatigue.
- It strengthens the arms & shoulders and stretches the hamstrings.
- It helps soothe lower back pain. It improves the digestive system.
Setu Bandhasana – The Bridge Pose
- Opens shoulders and chest.
- Opens the hip.
- De-stressing and calming effects– in the brain and nervous system.
- Aligns and strengthens the vertebrae.
Balasana – The Child Pose
- It helps relax your child’s mind and restores calmness.
- This pose helps to lengthen and stretch the spine.
- It eases neck pain and stimulates digestion.
Bitilasana – The Cow Pose
- Stress-relieving pose.
- Help restore calmness while simultaneously stretching the hips, abdomen, back and neck.
Banarasana – The Lunge Pose
- It helps improve balance and coordination.
- It helps develop your child’s stamina.
- It calms the mind and helps increase core awareness.
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana - Upward Facing Dog
- It helps reduce depression & stress.
- It improves your child’s posture by stretching the abdomen, chest, and shoulders.
- It strengthens the spinal cord.
Trikonasana - Traingle Pose
- Improve your child’s digestive system.
- Stimulate blood circulation throughout his body.
- Calm his mind and increase concentration
Ardha Purvottanasana – Reverse Table Pose
- It helps release tension from the body.
- It helps boost energy & reinvigorates your child.
- It stretches the hamstrings and helps open the chest & the shoulders.
We all have bodies that function, hearts that love, and feelings that feel. Yoga inspires children to be kind, patient, accepting, and emphatic with themselves and their peers. Yoga teaches how the body and mind are interconnected and how we should be aware of our selves.
For more information on the benefits of yoga: Benefits Of Yoga
References:
Benefits Of Yoga For Children, Aussie Childcare Network
Yoga Poses For Children, Vaxins
Yoga For Kids - Benefits and Poses
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