Yoga Poses for Kids Good Health

Yoga is for everyone, and it's best when the habit of practicing it is inculcated in children from a young age. Practicing yoga from an early age makes it a way of life, improving mental and physical strength, resilience, and flexibility.

Yoga has been an intricate part of Indian culture and heritage and has now crossed boundaries because of the incredible health benefits it offers, such as helping develop harmony between the mind and body.

Prepare A Corner For Yoga Practice For Kids

Getting young kids to start practicing yoga might not be as challenging as keeping them motivated to make it a part and parcel of their lives. Here are certain tips to create a yoga corner with a chill vibe that will get kids excited:

1. Open Corner: Find an open corner, maybe on the terrace or on the balcony, where kids can stretch without any obstructions.
2. Yoga Mats: Arrange comfortable mats with a good grip so that little kids don’t slip and fall. Try getting colorful and vibrant mats that attract kids.
3. Create an Ambience: Place plants, dim lights, and soft music to create a soothing ambience that will keep the kids' minds focused and relaxed.

Additionally, keep water bottles or jars nearby and ensure that there are no sharp objects that could hurt kids if they flip or fall.

Many yoga centers have qualified trainers to connect with and seek help from to get your kid started with yoga. In such classes, children find companions, developing friendships that motivate them to practice yoga regularly.

6 Easy & Interesting Yoga Poses For Kids

Here are a few yoga poses for kids to start with:

1. Tadasana or Mountain Pose

This pose is known to build balance in young kids.

How to do the Pose?

• Make the kid stand straight with feet close together and arms by the side
• Now, lift the kid's arms overhead 
• Join the palms and stretch the fingers upward
• Relax the shoulders and ask the child to take deep breaths

Benefits of Regular Practice:

• Helps the child develop a good posture and balance
• Builds confidence in kids 
• Enhances concentration 

2. Marjaryasana-Bitilasana or Cat-Cow Stretch

This pose helps warm up the spine and relaxes the neck.

How do you do the yoga pose?

• Ask the child to sit on the ground like a cat. Ask him to keep his hands under the shoulders and his knees aligned with the hips.
• Ask to Inhale while arching the back for a Cow Pose and lifting the head and tailbone. 
• Then, tell the kid to exhale and raise his back like a Cat by taking the chin and tailbone in.

Benefits of Regular Practice:

• Improves mobility and flexibility of the spine
• Enhances breath movements
• Reduces tension in neck and back

3. Balasana or Child’s Pose

Kids can practice this yoga pose tods can practice this yoga pose to enhanceflexibiHow do you do the pose?

• Ask the kid to kneel on the floor with toes touching and knees spread out.
• They need to sit back on their heels, move their body forward, and rest their foreheads on the mat.
• Next, the arms need to be in front or by the sides.
• Ask the child to take deep breaths and relax

Benefits of Regular Practice:

• Good for the back and hips as it provides a gentle stretch
• Calms and relaxes the body
• Can be done as a winding-up yoga pose

4. Vrksasana or Tree Pose

This yoga pose is known to improve balance in kids.

How to do the Pose?

• The kid needs to stand tall with his feet placed together.
• Shift their weight to one foot and place the opposite foot on the ankle 
• Ask them to bring the palms together near their heart
• Then they need to focus on a spot and concentrate

Benefits of Regular Practice

• Enhances balance and coordination.
•  Strengthens the legs.
• Improves focus & concentration 

5. Bhujangasana or Cobra Pose

This yoga pose helps kid by enhancing their flexibility.

How do you do the yoga pose?

• The kid must lie upside down with the legs stretched out straight behind.
• Then ask them to position their hands under the shoulders, with elbows close to their body.
• Then, they need to inhale and slowly lift their heads, chests, and shoulders from the floor while keeping their elbows slightly bent and looking forward.

Benefits of Regular Practice

• Strengthens the spine and opens the chest.
• Boosts confidence
• Relaxes the body 

6. Baddha Konasana or Butterfly Pose

This is a very easy and fun yoga pose that kids enjoy doing.

How to Do This Yoga Pose?

• The kid should sit on the floor with a straight back and extended legs
• Then bend the knees towards the inside and press the soles of the feet together.
• Hold the feet with their hands and flap the knees up and down like a butterfly does

Benefits of Regular Practice

• Good for hip health
• Relaxes the body and improves flexibility

Mental Health Benefits of Practicing Yoga Poses For Kids

Practicing yoga not only helps kids improve physically but also promotes their mental well-being by:

• Improving Concentration
• Helping them focus
• Developing Control
• Inculcating self-discipline
• Helping them take charge of their emotions

Practicing yoga regularly fills kids with pride and accomplishment, enhancing their confidence. Additionally, it helps reduce anxiety, stress, and restlessness in kids, improving their sleep quality and overall health by alleviating headaches and body pain, making them fitter and healthier.

Conclusion

As parents, if you can successfully inculcate the habit of practicing yoga regularly in your kid, then that will be an incredible gift that the little one shall cherish forever. It might be tough, but keep encouraging your kid and motivating them to explore it. 

Tell mythological stories and relate yoga to fairy tales or their favorite cartoon characters to make it fun and interesting for them. Let the child discover his innate qualities and inner self through the power of yoga.

 FAQ

• At what age can kids start doing yoga?

Kids can start doing simple yoga poses from as early as the age of 2-3 years.

• What are the benefits of yoga for kids?

Yoga can help improve balance, strength, flexibility, and concentration in kids and help them relax their bodies.

• How can the kids' safety be ensured during yoga?

Keep an eye on your kid while he is doing yoga and ensure there are no sharp objects around that could hurt the child. It is better to use a yoga mat while practicing yoga.

• What are some simple yoga poses for kids?

Some simple yoga poses for kids are the mountain pose, the downward-facing dog, the cobra pose, and the tree pose.

• How to make yoga interesting for kids?

To attract kids' attention, you can incorporate fun activities and associate yoga poses with fairy tales and mythological stories.