Yoga at home: for kids

“ All yoga postures are accessible to children ”, explains one of our yoga coaches. “ Of course, there is learning and evolution in practice. But all the movements made by the older ones are accessible to the younger ones. ” In fact, children are more flexible compared to adults. Therefore, don't be surprised if your kid manages to achieve a full back bend before you do!

 

However, it can be challenging to keep your child engaged for a long period of time. Therefore, we recommend keeping the Yoga session playful! Keep your child engaged by involving some story telling and imagination. Indeed, Yoga is a practice that requires a lot of concentration, precision and rigor. But, for the little ones these conditions must be adapted.  “ The advantage with yoga is that many poses can be imagined: we have the cat, the dog, the mountain, the tree, the warrior… This practice, somewhere, has the advantage of calling upon children's imagination. A real advantage for parents and teachers too! ”

Begin by removing any distractions from the room. You wouldn't want your practice to be disrupted by your little one running to their favourite toy or video game. Create some room for the practice. Move some bulky furniture around so that you and your entire family may practice in the same space. Nothing can beat some face to face yoga time!

For an added bonus, play some soft music, preferably without lyrics. It is recommended to listen to classical music during the practice as classical music relieves stress and brings peace to the mind. This adds to the tranquil environment that would be optimal for your and your little ones!

Get your child to achieve the yoga poses smoothly. Initially, try to get your little one to hold the pose for 1 breath. If you see that your child is patient and is interested in practice, you may increase the number of breaths to 3. 

Ensure that your child is not in any discomfort throughout the practice. If your little one is not able to achieve the correct pose, it is completely ok. What is more important is that your child is able to concentrate and is enjoying the session. It is also recommended to accompany your child during the poses. Do the downward dog with him/her or help him/her adjust their position. Keep an eye out for any possible injuries and maintain patience with your little Yogi.

Finally, do keep in mind that your little one's ability and attention span may not be the same as an adult's. Therefore, keep the session short and sweet :)