Sticks of Fire

9 Things You Should Know About Yoga for Children

Here are some guidelines and realistic expectations for parents, who are considering Yoga for their children:

1. Make sure your child starts with easy postures, and be patient with your child's progress. Some children can often be more flexible than advanced adult Yoga practitioners, but they don't know their own limitations.

2. Look for a qualified Yoga instructor, who has experience in teaching children. Make sure the child's Yoga instructor has adequate experience.

3. Discover your child's real passions. All children are different, and what is good for one of your children, may not agree with another. However, when your child wants to go to Yoga class, it is much better than what you want for your child. This is not to say that you should avoid guidance. However, it is not advisable to push a child into a Yoga class, if your child doesn't enjoy it - no matter how popular Yoga may be.

4. Encourage your child to see the deeper benefits of Yoga: learning to live within the moment, and appreciating the present situation, instead of focusing on desires, these are built-in mental assets of Yoga practice. Enhanced concentration skills are another benefit that will result in improved academic performance.

5. Watch your child practice, with his or her, Yoga teacher, and make sure you are comfortable with the environment, policies, and safety guidelines. Rules and discipline policies are usually in place so that each child can learn Yoga and get the most out of their experience.

6. For your child's safety at home: Parents who are not familiar with Yoga, should not let their "beginner Yoga children" practice anything beyond beginner techniques, without a competent Yoga instructor's approval. Once your child's Yoga instructor gives approval of home practice, you are fine.

7. A smaller kid's Yoga class is actually better than a larger one. This insures that your child's Yoga instructor can pay close attention to each student during practice session.

8. Price should not be the top factor in choosing your child's Yoga teacher. Would you choose the cheapest dentist, clothes, or car? Very often, "you get what you pay for."

9. In conclusion, with steady practice, you should expect to see your child gradually gain self-esteem, stress management tools, self discipline, enhanced academic performance, and improved athletic skills.

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Yoga For Children

Recently I've decided to become a yoga instructor for children. You may ask why... Actually, I've got a proposition from my own teacher - she opens new class.
Of course I know that using fun imaginary animal poses, actions, sequences and balances you can help to increase a child's self awareness, build self esteem and strengthen their bodies. And that the practice of yoga offers an opportunity for children to gain a sense of peace and self confidence. BUT, how about my experience in teaching children? Yoga is much more than a kid's fitness class! I suppose I'm qualified enough - will see ;)
Just like adults - kids need time to learn to deal with life's daily pressures, too.
And as well as others, who begin practicing yoga to improve their health and well-being, children are impacted by their practice. With steady practice I expect your child gradually gain self-esteem, stress management tools, self discipline, enhanced academic performance, and improved athletic skills. But each asana requires guidance. Actually, some beginner children can often be more flexible than advanced adult Yoga practitioners, but they don't know their own limitations. And there is also a whole bandle of guidelines I should take into account... Will speak later ;)

9 Things You Should Know About Yoga for Children

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