3 Beneficial Effects of Yoga for Children

3 Beneficial Effects of Yoga for Children
Jan 10th, 2018 by Jane Noble

Child’s pose. What a perfect name for it! We all need to stay connected to our inner child! Yoga is becoming more popular and attracts more people every day. Yoga can offer great benefits to children and can be an antidote to our fast paced, technology driven world. Children today have to deal with so many distractions and so much stimulation in their daily lives, which is even more stressful for a sensitive child. Yoga can help them stay centered and focused

1. Deep Belly Breathing: 
Helps Control EmotionsYoga teaches children deep belly breathing which encourages relaxation. Deep belly breathing can help children control their emotions when they become overwhelming. Short, shallow breaths can cause hyperventilation and make feelings of anxiety and anger worse. Deep belly breathing can help create an internal feeling of calm.

2. Meditation & Balancing:
The very nature of yoga is meditative. Holding postures, sitting with eyes closed or moving through poses has a soothing and calming quality and helps children to be in the moment. Balance requires concentration and focus. When attention wanders, we wobble! Poses promote stillness and quieting of the mind and body.

3. Stretching & Strength:
Yoga is deceptive in the strength that it requires. It seems so easy to simply sit in a position for a few minutes! Yoga stretches the muscles, increases flexibility and also builds body strength. Good core strength helps children sit up straight, carry heavy loads like their backpacks loaded with homework and breathe better.