The ancient practice that was developed in India thousands of years ago and made popular in the 70's has more recently taken another leap in the Western Hemisphere. Children's yoga has been gaining momentum and for good reasons. The health benefits we adults get can also, be obtained by our children. Things like increased strength, flexibility, coordination and focus and how about illness prevention? Aren’t those some of the reasons parents get their children involved in gymnastics and karate? So why not yoga? You get the added benefits of learning to self-calm, becoming attuned to one's breathing, and relaxation (savasana). There has been increased talk about how stressed our kids are and then there is the increased number of children being diagnosed with ADD/ ADHD and Autism. It would make sense that parents would seek out ways for children to learn to calm themselves and de-stress. With yoga, being the holistic practice that it is, why wait till adulthood to introduce it to our children? Let's embrace this movement.

Of course, a children's yoga practice would have to be different than an adults. It would have to incorporate use of imagination, games and cooperation. It would have to take into consideration their growing bodies. Younger children generally have the flexibility but not the strength or balance while older children tend to have increased strength and balance but lose flexibility with age. Most yoga poses or asanas were developed by studying nature and animals and then imitating them. This is something children can easily understand and have fun with. They can use their imaginations as they assume the poses or asanas like "cat", "downward dog", "cobra" or "tree" poses. Their forms may not be exact but they are learning a skill they can use for life. Anyone who practices yoga knows you have to start somewhere on the journey.

How soon can kids get introduced to yoga? New mom's can practice with their infants by their feet as young as 8 weeks old. Passively moving your infant through some poses can help with digestion, colic, and sleep. Children become more active participants when they are crawlers and walkers. My favorite age range to teach children's yoga to, would be the preschool and early elementary ages. Our classes include use of music, songs, puppets, art activities and stories. My classes all start off with a breathing activity or focus. We then, move into a movement activity, which would include asanas and/or games usually with a theme, i.e. going to a farm, zoo or the beach. We end with a relaxation time where we may do some visualization.

Teenagers can also benefit from a yoga practice. Classes for teenagers resemble adult classes with an increased focus on form and more challenging poses. They are experiencing many body changes and self-image issues. Yoga helps them become more attuned to their bodies and to understand strengths and limitations. This is also a time when physical benefits from yoga will enhance their performance in school athletics. Emotionally and spiritually it will benefit them as they go through puberty and the changes of becoming an adult with more responsibilities and life decisions. No one will argue the fact that being a teenager is stressful. Many a teenager has commented that savasana is their favorite part of class.

As you can see, yoga is a lifetime practice and can benefit and is enjoyed by people of all ages.

By Jeanette Runnings

Jeanette is a pediatric Occupational therapist who teaches children and family yoga classes in the Boise area. She has created the family yoga game series called YOGA-YINGO. For more information she can be reached at 866-282-2258 or visit www.yoga-yingo.com