I often get asked about how to do yoga with kids. If you've been in my classes you would know I'm quite passionate about role-modelling movement (and mindfulness) and making it a normal part of our kids lives. The biggest predictor of your kids continuing to exercise and move - is if you do it.
Imagine if we had all learnt mindfulness techniques as kids - like breathing techniques to calm ourselves when we're stressed (whether it's the first day at a new school or a job interview)? What an amazing skill to develop - for life!
Yoga is a fun and healthy activity to do with your kids. Not only can practicing yoga with your kids be a great way to bond and spend quality time together, but it can also offer a wide range of physical and mental health benefits. In this article, we'll explore some of the reasons why you should consider doing yoga with your kids.
Bonding and Quality Time
One of the biggest benefits of doing yoga with your kids is that it can be a great way to bond and spend quality time together. Practicing yoga can provide an opportunity for you and your child to connect on a deeper level, sharing a fun and healthy activity that you both enjoy.
Improved Physical Health
Yoga is a great way to improve your physical health, and practicing yoga with your kids can help you all reap the benefits. Yoga can help improve flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular health, as well as support healthy growth and development in children.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Both adults and children can benefit from reducing stress and anxiety, and practicing yoga together can be a great way to do just that. The breathing techniques and mindfulness practices that are often incorporated into yoga can help both you and your child feel more calm and centred, which can be especially important during times of stress.
Improved Mental Health
In addition to reducing stress and anxiety, practicing yoga can also help improve mental health in both adults and children. Regular yoga practice has been shown to help improve mood, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and increase feelings of well-being and happiness.
Improved Communication and Connection
Practicing yoga together can also help improve communication and connection between you and your child. By sharing a common activity, you may find that you are better able to communicate and connect with your child in other areas of your life as well.
How do I Start a Practice With My Kids?
If you're lucky, your kids may get some yoga and mindfulness at childcare, preschool or school. Kids are not just mini adults so just adapting your own practice isn't going to work on a five year old!
Here are some ways to incorporate yoga in to your kids life:
Family Yoga classes
At Yoganic we run Family Yoga classes once a month with DeeDee, for kids 3-12 and their carers. Our Family Yoga classes are play based, lots of fun and incorporate games and mindfulness. It's usually the last Sunday of the month. Can't find it on the timetable? Shoot us an email.
Cosmic Kids Yoga
Cosmic Kids Yoga is a free YouTube channel with themed classes that tell a story. There are hundreds of videos that vary in length and they are fabulous and lots of fun! Our school included it in home learning over the covid lockdown and my older kids loved it.
Mindful & Co Kids Yoga Games
Mindful & Co Kids is a range we stock in the studio - which includes yoga pose posters, a mindfulness breathing ball, yoga snap and yoga flash cards. They are all beautifully illustrated (and road-tested by my kids who love them) and are a great starting point (and inspiration) for doing yoga at home.
Practicing yoga with your kids can be a fun and healthy way to bond and spend quality time together. From improved physical health and reduced stress to improved communication and connection, there are many reasons to consider adding yoga to your family's routine. Why not give it a try? You may be surprised by just how much you and your child enjoy it!