Yoga for Children

Yoga can positively affect a child's level of self awareness, ability to concentrate,  understanding of emotions and interactions with others as well as providing the physical benefits of increased strength, flexibility and sense of well-being.

Before the age of 7 Yoga is introduced to children in the form of play. Games and stories are used to convey concepts, introduce postures, breathing methods and visualisation practices. Long Periods of silence are not implemented and strong postures are not encouraged. The developing child’s need to explore it’s surroundings with awareness is encouraged in preference to attempts at drawing the awareness inward.

From 7 to 18 a more disciplined and inward practice is progressively introduced. Games and stories are still utilised to create a feeling of joy, spontaneity and playfulness.  Teenagers and young people are greatly benefited by attending a weekly yoga class - it is at this time of life that the hormonal, emotional and physical changes can be overwhelming and sometimes quite confusing, and yoga helps provide the tools to negotiate these challenges with confidence. Yoga can be a centring and saving grace for parents and teenagers alike, allowing a quiet time of reflection in a busy schedule and offering techniques with which to centre, balance, calm, focus, invigorate and stimulate depending on the need.

© Copyright 2004
Satyananda Yoga Teachers' Association Inc.
P.O. Box 252
Enmore NSW 2042
Contact SYTA