Yoga IS Child’s Play!

Where I’m from, parents are known to be overprotective of their kids. They meticulously disinfect surfaces that their child comes into contact with, buy antibacterial wash for their shower time, feel even more pain than their child should they come home with scrapes and bruises. As for myself, I always looked longingly at the kids in the community centers practicing Taekwando. Mom never let me join because it was a contact sport, and I “am a girl”.  *grumblez*

What can be safer than yoga, and reap as much benefits (if not more), than conventional sports? I can’t think of much, but that’s my biased view  SO. If you’re planning to try some yoga on your little ones, and don’t know what to expect, here are a few general points to help manage your expectations.

The greatest challenge with children is to hold their attention long enough to teach them the benefits of yoga: stillness, balance, flexibility, focus, peace, grace, connection, health, and well-being. Luckily, most children love to talk, and they love to move—both of which can happen in yoga. Children will jump at the chance to assume the role of animals, trees, flowers, warriors. Play around with poses and feel free to rename the poses into something that will engage the kids. Your role is to step back and allow them to bark in the dog pose, hiss in the cobra, and meow in cat stretch. They can also recite the ABCs or 123s as they are holding poses. Sound is a great release for children and adds an auditory dimension to the physical experience of yoga.

Children are very inquisitive, and often, kinesthetic learners, and they need to discover the world on their own. Do not tell them what is the perfect pose. Instead, provide a loving, responsive, creative environment for them to uncover their own truths. As they perform the various animal and nature asanas, engage their minds to deepen their awareness. When they’re snakes (Bhujangasana), invite them to really imagine that they’re just a long spine with no arms and legs. Could you still run or climb a tree? In Tree Pose (Vrksasana), ask them to imagine being a giant oak, with roots growing out of the bottoms of their feet. Could you stay in the same position for 100 years? If you were to be chopped down, would that be OK? Would it hurt?

When they stretch like a dog, balance like a flamingo, breathe like a bunny, or stand strong and tall like a tree, they are making a connection between the macrocosm of their environment and the microcosm of their bodies. The importance of reverence for all life and the principle of interdependence becomes apparent. Children begin to understand that we are all made of the same “stuff.” We’re just in different forms.

They’ll have so much fun they won’t even realise how much ‘work’ they have done on themselves! This is also an excellent way to have the kids use up some of that never ending ball of energy. When they finally enter into Savasana, you’ll be surprised at the calm that blankets these screaming and bouncing children.

Go on! Have a try!