In a yoga class for kids you don't do the same things as you do in an adult class because adults and children are different mentally and physically and they have different needs.
So children practise some of the traditional yoga poses but they also do concentration and coordination exercises, breathing exercises, games and activities to stimulate their creativity and imagination and to help develop their self-expression. Through these physical exercises and activities they develop more awareness of their body and their emotions, for instance by doing breathing exercises kids become aware of how they are feeling and the physical effect of such emotions.
In a yoga class children also practise different techniques (sometimes serious, sometimes fun) for concentrating and observing themselves. They can do meditations with mantras and movement, they can do visual concentration exercises, such as concentrating on a candle or a mandala; they are taught how to relax in a more conscious way after the physical exercises in the class, observing the reactions of their body and emotions, thinking positively about themselves, listening silently.
Kids can also learn about good eating habits, good sleeping habits and even good hygiene according to yoguic philosophy. In the class the children develop an ethical code, cooperation, helping others, getting on with others, being respectful and honest, for instance in the way we talk. The objective is to develop children's emotional intelligence, to be aware of how they and others behave and the effect this has. Interwoven in the classes are snippets of a wide range of subjects including yoguic philosophy or anatomy put across in a way children can understand.
The children work in groups, in pairs and individually. There is a wide range of activities and dynamics in each class, there are fun parts and more serious stages to the class and there is always a part of the class when the children are silent in order to develop their ability to go inside and observe themselves. The aim of all the acitivities in the yoga class is to develop the child´s innate abilities, to develop their self-awareness so they may express themselves fully and freely and lead a healthy life.
Nowadays children live in a competitve, egotistical, consumer society which is constantly changing and at break-neck speed. They live with high levels of air and noise pollution which has a prfoundly negative effect on their sensitive nervous systems. They are under pressure with their school work and some may actually suffer from stress. As for their diet, most food today contains additives, preservatives and pesticides, all of which imitate our hormones, so their nervous systems are overly-stimulated on that front too. Some children may not receive the attention they need and in some cases they may actually be depressed. So fo all these reasons we can say that children today need to be offered alternatives, they need to be given the tools which will help them to cope with the challenges of modern life.
Nowadays children live in a competitve, egotistical, consumer society which is constantly changing and at break-neck speed. They live with high levels of air and noise pollution which has a prfoundly negative effect on their sensitive nervous systems. They are under pressure with their school work and some may actually suffer from stress. As for their diet, most food today contains additives, preservatives and pesticides, all of which imitate our hormones, so their nervous systems are overly-stimulated on that front too. Some children may not receive the attention they need and in some cases they may actually be depressed. So fo all these reasons we can say that children today need to be offered alternatives, they need to be given the tools which will help them to cope with the challenges of modern life.
Benefits of yoga - How it can help children
- it uses and balances both hemispheres of the brain
- it calms children down
- it gives children a greater capacity to concentrate
- it improves their breathing
- it strengthens their immune system and helps other bodily functions
- it helps children cope better in their daily lives, to handle their emotions and to have self-control
- it helps with sudden growth spurts, when their bones grow but their muscles and fascias need to stretch to accommodate this growth
- it makes children stronger physically and it makes them more physically and psychologically flexible
- it helps them have more self-discipline
- yoga is not a therapy but it does have therapeutic effects as it works on symptoms
- it makes children more aware of their bodies and its processes
- it gives children more self-confidence
- it helps children express their emotions and express themselves freely
- they have fun!
Methodology
Children are free, pure and innately creative and they are open to receiving new ideas and information without prejudice. In order to develop these innate capacities is to let children learn by actually being the teacher. The children can teach small parts of the class, they can show their families (and friends) what they have learnt in the class and in this way they learn not by just immitating the teacher, rather they develop their own creativity using their own criteria.
On the other hand, the aim is that they integrate what they learn in class into their daily lives. They develop self-discipline and a sense of responsibility, but without being overloaded. For instance, they practice yoga postures and meditation before going to bed so as not to be nervous for an exam the next day at school
On the other hand, the aim is that they integrate what they learn in class into their daily lives. They develop self-discipline and a sense of responsibility, but without being overloaded. For instance, they practice yoga postures and meditation before going to bed so as not to be nervous for an exam the next day at school
The role of the teacher is very important, but it is the role of facilitator. The relationship between the teacher and the child is an equal one and is based on respect, but each has a different role. The learning process, however, is mutual! A good teacher sets limits but does not squash the child, he or she helps the child to not be afraid to express themselves, they do not label the children, they simply transmit the tools that yoga has to offer. The teacher helps to develop what is innate in every child, by offering creative classes and giving every child the opportunity to be creative themselves. For instance, the group may share the best and worst things that have happened to them in the previous week or a child may explain a problem - they can't sleep - and the other children offer solutions.
