- Tuesday 20 June 2017
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by Joanna Gardener (IYTA DIP)
The benefits to children (and adults) from practising yoga are numerous. On a physiological level, all muscles in the body are exercised and strengthened; the spine becomes straighter, stronger and more flexible; posture is improved; internal organs are massaged, stretched and toned; and full deep breathing is facilitated. Ultimately this leads to better health and vitality.
Here are some guidelines that need to be taken into consideration when practising yoga with children: 
- Familiarise yourself first with the yoga practices before attempting to teach them to children. Go to some yoga classes yourself and get some good yoga books.
- Do not practise on a full stomach. Allow at least 1 to 2 hours after meals.
- Bare feet are best. For floor work (especially spinal rolls), ensure there is adequate padding underneath; e.g. thick carpet, blanket or towel.
- Start with a brief period of stillness (Child's pose is good), then follow up with some warm-ups to limber up a little (e.g. the Cat or the Tiger).
- Do easier poses first and then build up to harder ones; e.g. Crocodile, followed by Cobra snake, then Bridge and finally the Wheel. (In my story I've called this the Rainbow.) Rarely do children under six have the upper body strength to do the Wheel. It takes time to learn some poses and you should never force a child's body in any way.
- Use counter-poses. If you do a series of backbends, follow with Child's pose or, if on your back, hug knees to chest and gently roll from side to side to massage the back.
- I don't instruct the children while doing poses about the breath, as I feel they flow with it automatically. Breathe through the nose. The breath should be normal while holding poses. Generally inhale when stretching upwards, exhale when bending forwards and inhale when coming back out of a pose.
- Remind children that yoga is not competitive, to work within their own limits and not to force their body in any way.
- Always rest after a session of yoga. The best position is with children lying on their backs.
Check back on Friday for a yoga story to try with your class!
