Yoga is such a beautiful practice that is often done more so for mindfulness and clarity reasons rather than for exercise reasons which is why it makes it a great practice for children. Yoga teaches practical tools such as focus and helps an individual learn how to balance their inner thoughts and mindset. Not only that but yoga helps to teach children how to improve their bodies balance and strength, improves quality of sleep, reduces risk of anxiety, depression and stress, helps to improve resilience and assists in the child’s academic performance (focus). The earlier these life skills are learnt, the better right? Discover the following poses which are kid friendly and start teaching your children the art of yoga.
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
This pose is a backbend which allows for a strong stretch to the spine and thighs. Instruct your kids to lie on their back and bend their knees, keeping their feet flat on the floor (with their knees and ankles in a straight line). Placing their arms in a resting position next to their body, instruct them to take a deep breath and lift their back off the floor, keeping their feet and head on the floor still (essentially making a bridge between the floor and their lower back area). From here, inform the child to focus on their breathing.
Tree Pose (Vrksasana)
The tree pose teaches your child how to stand tall whilst maintaining their balance and posture. Instruct your child to begin by standing up straight with hands down beside their body. With a strong posture and balance, tell your child to slowly lift their right foot with their knee facing outwards, placing it on the inner left thigh and resting it there. From here, your child will press their hands together above their head and will focus on a particular point which will assist them to hold their balance. Repeat the move using the opposite leg.
Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
This pose is a great stretch for the back and abs. Inform your child to lie down on their stomach. From here, they will lift their body up, placing their hands out in front of them on the ground for support and will keep their chin nice and high until they feel the stretch.
Cat Pose (Marjaryasana)
The cat post is a gentle stretch for the back and abs. Get your child to go down onto their hands and knees on the floow. From here, they will bow their head slightly so that their eyes are naturally looking at the floor. With each breath outwards, they will arch their spine up towards the ceiling, returning back to the neutral position when they inhale. Repeat this process.
Maybe you are wanting to develop your own skills? Why not book yourself into The Palm Tree House, an all women’s retreat in Bali that is known to be the best Bali yoga retreat! Whether you want to do a solo trip or grab a bunch of girlfriends and go on a luxury Bali yoga retreat, either way you will be able to develop your key yoga knowledge and skills which will assist you in teaching your young ones when you return.
