If yoga has ever been a part of your life, you know that it is more than a form of exercise. Yoga is a practice that focuses on breathing, increasing flexibility, and building strength to boost your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. It’s great for adults, and its popularity continues to increase throughout the world, but it turns out that it is also great for children. It helps them on so many levels, and it doesn’t require a huge investment because you don’t need to spend tons on equipment, plus you can find so many yoga videos online that are great for kids.
More from MamásLatinas: Exercises we can all do at home with our kids
According to many experts, children can start practicing yoga as early as 5; some experts say as young as 3. Of course, kids would start off with simple poses. Introducing children to yoga at a young age gives them tools to help deal with the challenges they will face in life. The breathing techniques alone are something they can practice wherever they are when they need to ground themselves.
Let’s discuss the practice of yoga, its benefits, and videos you and your kids can try at home.
Disclaimer: The advice on MamasLatinas.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health care provider with questions and concerns.
What is yoga?
Yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago. Yoga is a Sanskrit word that can be understood as “yoke,” “union,” or “connect.” Makes sense, since the practice of yoga is all about connecting mind, body, and spirit. For yoginis, yoga isn’t something they just practice on the mat; it’s a philosophy and way of life.
How does yoga benefit children?
According to Harvard Medical School:
“Yoga and mindfulness have been shown to improve both physical and mental health in school-age children (ages 6 to 12). Yoga improves balance, strength, endurance, and aerobic capacity in children. Yoga and mindfulness offer psychological benefits for children as well. A growing body of research has already shown that yoga can improve focus, memory, self-esteem, academic performance, and classroom behavior, and can even reduce anxiety and stress in children.”
How early can children start practicing yoga?
According to the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), “There is no general consensus for when a child can start the practice of yoga. However, yoga experts agree that children of age 5 years and above could start the practice of yoga.”
What should I look for in a yoga class for kids?
The IAP suggests the following:
- The class should be led by a trained yoga expert.
- If children are 5 to 10 years old, a parent or guardian should be present.
- The yoga teacher should explain to kids to go at their own pace so as not to “exert beyond their capacity.”
Are there precautions to take before kids practice yoga?
- It’s best to practice on an empty stomach, so about two to three hours after a meal.
- Make sure your child has a yoga mat that will keep them from sliding around or falling.
- Remove any sharp objects or furniture from the area.
Is there any point to yoga if my child is already participating in sports?
You betcha! Yoga is good for the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps provide better relaxation. It also promotes mental well-being in a way that other physical activities may not. Plus, yoga can help performance in other sport activities because it may improve cardiorespiratory strength.
Where can I find yoga videos for kids?
We live in the era of streaming. You can check any of the streaming services available to you for yoga videos geared toward kids. Think Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, etc. And of course there is YouTube. Keep scrolling for a few of our YouTube suggestions.
Join your kids with a family-friendly video.
Just because a video is made for kids doesn’t mean that parents can't join in. This particular video led by Sophia Khan includes a warmup, practice breathing and poses, and a soothing relaxation.
You can try some playful yoga with toddlers.
Alyssa-Jean Klazek introduces some standing poses with play and song. For Forward Fold (Chandrasana), she sings “Oh Mister Sun.” In Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), she sings “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” In Warrior 2 (Virabhadrasana B) and Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana), she sings “I’m a Little Teapot.”
Try this video for younger children who love animals.
This educational yoga video for kids is perfect for small children and their parents. You will learn to relax via a fun story featuring animals. You will be introduced to different yoga poses and focusing on the breath.
Join Minion training camp.
If your kids are Minion fans, this video is perfect! They will get to join instructor Jaime and replicate the fun kids yoga moves to see if you have what it takes to be a Minion! Spoiler alert: They totally have what it takes!
Or perhaps Spider-Man is more of a draw.
That’s one of the great things about so many of the videos available for free on YouTube: They have different themes that will appeal to a variety of kids—like this Spider-Man-themed one that starts off with spider poses.
You can even find videos in Spanish.
I love this so much because it’s great for parents who are trying to raise bilingual kids or kids whose parents are predominantly Spanish speakers. This one is inspired by Disney’s Frozen, but there are tons of other ones to choose from as well.
Yoga sessions don’t have to be long.
Remember that kids have shorter attention spans than adults. Don’t expect your child to be able to do a long session. Keep it fun and short. A 10-minute video is a good length of time for children.
Check with your local libraries and parks and rec department.
A couple of other places you can check for yoga classes or resources are via your public library or your parks and recreation department. Some offer free or low-cost classes or even virtual classes.
