Yoga for Children - Yoga to promote connection and self-awareness

This training gave us the knowledge and the creative ideas to make our yoga class more developmentally appropriate and FUN, shifting the focus towards yoga games, partnering, massages, and finding new and interesting ways to bring in breathing and relaxation. Currently we are offering two 35 minute yoga classes per week, on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Yoga is a discipline that has been practiced for millennia, and the benefits of yoga for adults are widely understood and appreciated, whether you choose to practice or not. We believe, and the research is showing, that the benefits of yoga in children is just as incredible and far reaching.

What WE love about yoga, particularly for children, is that it provides a nourishing environment in which there is no judgement or competition. The classes are fun and developmentally appropriate, promoting creativity and engagement.

The classes always takes place with everybody, teacher included, placed in a circle. They are structured so that every class has a concept or theme and flows through four stages; coming together, poses, something FUN, and quiet time.

During a yoga class children go on yoga voyages to different corners of the world and encounter different animals and customs, they engage in games, there is social interaction and touching as we do group or partner poses and human mandalas, they give each other massages, they practice breathing and relaxation, and they use their imagination and take on leadership roles.

They are co-creators of the yoga experience as there is a back and forth with the teacher, and their ideas and suggestions are incorporated and guide the direction of the class. Regular yoga practice in children develops strength, coordination, flexibility and balance, as well as body awareness, concentration and self-esteem.

What are the benefits?

• There is no other form of exercise that offers such a wide range of movements.
• Not only exercises our body, it exercises our mind and our breath. 
• It is social and interactive, Yoga is more fun together.
• Fosters awareness of ourselves, our friends, and the world around us.
• Teaches how to relax and reduce stress.
• Builds self- discipline, self-control and concentration.
• Builds self-confidence, teaches self-acceptance and self-love.
• As a teacher guided activity, it helps develop language skills.

We are very excited about building this practice with the children. They already really enjoy the class, and are becoming more open to partnering up and enjoying it together. Please feel free to give us any feedback and let us know if the children are talking about the class at home. Next week-end is San Isidro, and in order to celebrate this holiday together next Friday May 13th we will be dressing up! We ask that on that day you bring children to school dressed as “chulapos” and “chulapas”, or in red or yellow. We hope you enjoy your weekend.