We know that yoga for children is a activity that stimulates and benefits the development of body and mind, so it is very beneficial, as well as fun, as an exercise for the little ones. An ancient discipline that helps young and old to find balance and channel energy.
But what is the best way for children to practice yoga? Here are some tips that will help us create the best environment and to make the experience rewarding.
Yoga experiences with children indicate that the best age for the child to start with the exercises is From the age of 4. At this age, they can already fully understand what can be expected and what they want from them, while being able to maintain a certain concentration and perform the postures properly and without forcing their organism.
Motivation is a very important factor, let's not forget that it is a game and not an obligation, so if we gather several friends to practice yoga they will have a great time. But also the company of daddies, moms or siblings is ideal.
He wardrobe must be comfortable, the little ones will wear loose, light, comfortable clothes (t-shirt and pants), and in this way they will be able to perform the movements and postures with comfort. On the feet, cotton socks or barefoot if the temperature allows.
The context must be of a clean, quiet, ventilated and quiet environment, with soft lighting. You can use mats or mats so that there is no direct contact with the floor and result in a more comfortable and warm experience, apart from avoiding unwanted slips. The room can be set with slow and soft music that favors relaxation.
Yoga can be practiced at any time of day, but the best time for practice is in the morning, to start the day well, or in the afternoon, even before bedtime, to relax and relieve tension.
A habitual and constant routine, either every day, or certain days a week, is advisable for yoga to report all its benefits to the little ones. With just a few minutes a day is enough.
More than the moment in which the yoga exercises are carried out, what we should take more into account is that it is not after having eaten food, at least two hours later, once the digestion has been done.
The secret of good yoga is in the breathing. The child learns to breathe correctly and deeply, inhaling and exhaling through the nose and not through the mouth. They can be taught to breathe "with the belly", that is, using the diaphragm to fill the lungs. Before starting with the postures, it is better to learn to control breathing.
The positions must be practiced gradually. It is possible that the little ones begin the practice of yoga too rigid, but that will improve with practice. Both postures and movements must be varied so as not to fall into monotony, and not too complicated for them to perform without effort. Remember that it is a game that everyone should enjoy.
One way for them to enjoy it more is, once they have learned the mechanism and are easily able to perform positions, that they themselves invent your own positions, giving them the name they want. This way they give free rein to their imagination.
As a game that is yoga, if you practice in a group you have to avoid comparisons (agility, flexibility, correction of movements ...) between children and let them see that they form a team where everyone wins.
If the group is not very large or if the room chosen for yoga allows it, the children can be placed in a circle to create a closer environment. But if this makes them lose their concentration you can opt for the online variant.
Now we just have to dress comfortably like them, and practice!
