Yoga for children: Kid’s yoga poses

Kids today are under a lot of pressure. They juggle busy schedules in an over-competitive environment. They are constantly running from one engagement to another: school, soccer practice, music lessons, karate classes, homework, project work, tests, exams, etc. Yoga can be very useful in providing relief to children.

Yoga is a therapeutic tradition. It is very beneficial, and even fun, for children. Yoga helps children in a number of ways:

• It is a great form of exercise. In a day and age where more and more kids suffer from obesity, yoga is an excellent form of exercise. It stretches all the muscles in the body and keeps energy flowing. Through yoga, kids learn to breathe properly, improve posture, inculcate body awareness, and build self confidence.


• Yoga can help develop concentration and focus in children. Hyperactive kids tend to underachieve simply because they have too much energy and are constantly darting about. Through yoga they learn to channel this abundant energy in a more positive direction. Yoga also boosts memory, creativity and imagination.


• Daily stress has a very negative impact on children: some withdraw into a shell, other resort to destructive behavior. Through gentle yoga exercises and breathing techniques, a child can relax, calm down and learn how to cope with the situation.


• For children with special needs, yoga is a way to reach out. Through yoga, symptoms can be eased and focus attained. For example, children suffering from attention deficit disorder learn how to calm down and focus on the task at hand.

There are several yoga poses that are beneficial for children: Kids yoga poses

• Mountain Pose – Stand straight with your hands joined together above your head. This pose stretches all the muscle groups in the body and expands the flow of energy in the body.


• Tree Pose –Stand with your hands joined above your head. Lift your right foot and place it on your inner left thigh. Hold the pose. This posture helps build balance, strength and agility. It develops confidence and concentration powers. It also facilitates brain development.


• Cat Pose – get on the floor, on all fours and arch the back upwards, much like an angry cat. Gently bring down the back, and arch it again. This pose is very useful for developing spine flexibility. it strengthens the back and also aids the body’s digestive functions.


• Cobra Pose – Lie down on your belly, with your hands placed on the floor, close to your chest. Push your upper body off the floor. Push it as far up as you can. Hold the pose. This posture is great for increasing flexibility and strengthening the back. It also opens the chest and allows for more energy and proper breathing.


• Lion Pose – Sit on your thighs, with your legs folded under you. Stick out your tongue and roar loudly and you breathe out. Children love this posture. It is fun and beneficial. It cures throat problems and stimulates the thyroid. It also helps you feel calm and rejuvenated.