Yoga For Kids

Practicing Yoga is very common in our society. Many people have already experienced the benefits of Breathwork, Asana and yogic Philosophy for their wellbeing and have made it a part of their everyday life.

But what about our kids? 

Does it make sense to do Yoga with kids?

Many kids have to deal with sensory overload or pressure in different ways. Performance pressure can become an issue very early, even in Kindergarten. During the pandemic other issues became more serious. Some kids still suffer from the effects of social distancing. And some kids have to re-learn social skills. All that can effect the body and mind of young children.

But what does that have to do with Yoga?

The physical benefits of Yoga for kids are the same as for adults:

- body and breath awareness are trained, 

-the practice helps to improve the posture,

-the muscular system is strengthened. 

-motor skills and coordination are refined. 

-the urge to move (which can be very strong) is as well used and satisfied. 

You can argue, that sport clubs do the same. And I would totally agree.

Additional to those benefits a Yoga practice teaches kids silence and calmness in a child-friendly way. 

Partner exercises and being part of a group pick up the social skills and improve them. Yoga uses the children’s fantasy and their own creativity. Even the youngest can co-create the class using their own ideas, which makes it even more fun for the kids and the teacher.

On top of that it is important to make sure, what you are doing there is Yoga. Kids can follow most of Patanjali’s 8 limbs of Yoga in a playful way. Depending on the age you can even start child-friendly meditation.

The main goal should be to show the kids (even the small ones) that the path of Yoga leads inwards. Samadhi (The 8th limb of Yoga: meditational absorption) is not the goal of Yoga for Kids.

The youngest find their access to Yogic Philosophy in the connection to nature, animals and the elements. Rituals are an important element.

Yoga for Kids is different. It is loud, dynamic, creative and playful. And that is, what is needed to dive into fantasy and experience. The groups are small so that a close connection between students and teacher is possible. Kids and teacher are learning together and from each other.

That is also quite challenging for the teacher because they have to be flexible enough to change the whole sequence of a class to match the kids creativity. But there is nothing better than seeing a class developing based on the kids’ ideas. As a teacher you can unleash your creativity as well.

Most children’s books can be used as an inspiration or as the base of a class. You can develop journeys and adventures with older kids. E.g. making your class a fantasy-trip to India, to get to know the origins of Yoga.

Of course Yoga for Kids has to follow the physical and mental development. Not every Asana is

possible. A headstand is never part of my classes.

The capacity of concentration has to be considered. Meditation and relaxation have to be adjusted. (Can you imagine a whole bunch of kids in 10 minutes of Savasana?)

What is the right age?

A good age to start Yoga is 4 (maybe 3). It makes sense to split into age groups. One group would be for ages from 3/4 to 6. In that age group there is a common interest in stories, animal, nature…Asanas are only held for a very short time and there is a lot of learning through repetition.

The next group would be age 6 to 10. Now you can focus more on body awareness and posture. Stories have to be different. Classes with a theme or adventures are more interesting for that age.

The kids bring in more of their own ideas and they can add parts to the class. There are more options to practice in pairs. (E.g. massages, or creating own flows). Effects can be explained. Longer phases of relaxation are possible.

After that you are already in Teen-Yoga, which is a whole different story.

Who is Speaking?

I am Jessica Siemienowski from Germany, currently in Stilos/ Apokoronas. I am a teacher and a yoga teacher:Hatha-/ Vinyasa Yogateacher (500+h of training),, Yin Yogateacher, Pre-/ Postnatal Yogateacher, Yoga for Kids

I would love to establish Yoga for Kids or Kids with Parents in Apokoronas or Chania. If you and your kids are interested please contact me, so that I can work out a class schedule.

I am a nature lover, I love hiking and being outside. I also would consider myself very creative. I read a lot and I find inspiration in my daughter every day. All that is influencing my way of sharing Yoga.

Contact: Email: jekkaline@gmail.com, WhatsApp: +4917672806918, Homepage: everybodys.yoga