What Is the Easiest Yoga for Kids?
Discover the best yoga poses for kids and their health benefits. - By Beth Rush
Reading time: 4 minutes
Consider yoga when looking for a new exercise for your child or a family bonding activity. It promotes better physical and mental health, making it ideal for their growth and development. Discover the best yoga poses for kids and their health advantages.
The Benefits of Yoga for Kids
Yoga is a practice that uses physical postures, meditation and breathing techniques to unlock numerous health advantages for children.
It Helps Them Stay Active
Yoga is a low-impact activity that’s ideal for kids who refuse or dislike other exercises. It also provides a fun way to fulfill your child’s recommended daily amount of exercise:
- Toddlers: 60 minutes of active play
- Preschoolers: 120 minutes of physical activity
- Children and teens: One hour of exercise daily and another hour for muscle-strengthening activities three times weekly
It Improves Concentration
Yoga hones a child’s concentration during practice, which can help them perform better in school. According to a study, kids with learning, emotional and behavioral issues experienced greater self-confidence and improved communication after participating in a yoga session.
It’s a Convenient Exercise
One of the best things about yoga is you can do it anytime, anywhere. All your kid needs is a yoga mat, and they’re good to go.
Your child can practice it at home with the whole family. You can also teach your kid at a playground, a place designed to provide learning and creative opportunities for kids. It’s also an excellent location where you can host free yoga lessons for kids in the neighborhood. Just offer yoga mats and snacks to make the session more enjoyable for all.
4 Easiest Yoga Poses for Kids
Introducing yoga in an age-appropriate way is crucial so kids can develop a love for it. Here are some of the best yoga poses for kids.
Cat-Cow
The cat-cow pose helps improve neck and shoulder flexibility and strengthens the spine by releasing tension in the tailbone, neck and upper back. Invite your child to come in an all-fours position, tucking the chin into the chest and rounding the back. After three seconds, look up, stretch the neck and arch the back. Repeat this flow a few times.
Downward-Facing DogÂ
This position is one of the best yoga poses for kids as it helps strengthen arm muscles, shoulders and the upper back. Invite your child to come in all-fours position and form an inverted V shape while keeping arms and legs straight. Ensure that palms are flat on the ground. Incorporate deep breathing exercises while engaged in this position.
Balloon Breath
This breathing exercise helps release anxiety and promote mindfulness. Have your kid sit in an easy seat position and place both hands on the abdomen. Instruct them to slowly inhale through the nose and fill their belly with air. Hold it for a while before slowly exhaling through the mouth. Repeat several times and feel free to chant child-appropriate affirmations.
Ragdoll
The ragdoll pose helps stretch the lower part of the body, alleviating lower back pain. Start with a standing pose, bend forward and stretch the arms toward the floor. Encourage your child to softly bend their knees and sway slowly from side to side.
Practice These Best Yoga Poses for Kids
Yoga provides children with many benefits and is an accessible medium for engaging them in physical activity. As a parent, it’s a fun way to actively participate in your child’s learning and enjoyment.
