Yoga for children

Yoga is an excellent system for promoting healthy development. It is a preventive medicine as it facilitates the overall wellness and health. Yoga is a form of exercise, meditation, and breathing practices from Indian roots to bring harmony to the mind, body and soul.
It is always advisable to start yoga in childhood as young bodies and minds are prone to learning new things easily and quickly. With the help of Yoga, they can become more coordinated and flexible. Yoga is safe foe every one but for children it should be done under supervision or by qualifies yoga trainer.
The benefits of yoga can be defined in 3 major areas.
Physical Benefits
Yoga helps in developing the flexibility and strength. Regular yoga poses train the child for coordination, agility, stamina and focus. There are many poses in yoga and they have different role. It helps in developing strong, flexible and healthy bodies where a healthy mind resides. Yoga improves the digestion and circulatory system. It helps in elongation of spine which assist in having good posture and better concentration. Healthier and physical strong body has better immune system which helps the child to have better immunity for fight the physical and mental stress
Stress Reduction
Because of the competitive world, most children are under great stress. Endless homework, tough competition, student relationship and the pressure from peers and parents are major cause of stress. They have to learn to deal with various problems. Fortunately, with Yoga, children can learn ways to relax and get control of stress in their lives. It negates the negative effects of the stress.
Self-discipline
Yoga means connecting to God. A child’s mind has a pure mind. The yoga helps in developing the discipline by organising the sleep cycle. The child becomes more positive and self confident. It helps them to channelize their energy in more productive way. Yoga increases the emotional stability and quotient. It increases the concentration and self awareness and hence overall learning improves.
Yoga for children with special needs
By teaching self awareness, self control, and concentration, yoga can also help to manage children who have been diagnosed with ADHD – attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, autism and learning difficulty. Yoga has also been used to develop strength and coordination in children with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other childhood disability.
Many studies have shown that many children who practice Yoga, especially those with problems such as ADHD, are able to concentrate for longer periods of time. It benefits the overall development and also helps them to adjust with the transitions, which is important for the children with special needs. In an era of children acquiring conditions and diseases, proper breathing, exercise and deep relaxation may be the powerful healing force.

A best gift for a child is to teach himYOGA.