Yoga for children is a form of yoga that is designed specifically for children. It includes poses to increase strength, flexibility and coordination. Classes are intended to be fun and may include age-appropriate games, animal sounds and creative names for poses.
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Age groups
The program is designed for children of all ages. Yoga for small children incorporates fun yoga poses, games and songs. For older children the program becomes more active and new poses and games are introduced and breathing techniques are taught. This helps the children integrate the new skills of self-regulation and calmness into their lives.
Health Benefits
See also Yoga as exercise or alternative medicineThe benefits for children are similar to those for adults. Emotional benefits include greater optimism and a less reactive nature. Mental benefits include increased focus, concentration and improvements in the quality of sleep, have been reported.
Academic performance has been noted to improve along with confidence in physical abilities. Yoga is used for treatment of children with special needs. Yoga is used to aid conventional medical treatment.
Research suggests that yoga practice can protect boys from increases in negative behavior.