We'll show you how your kids can find themselves and grow into little yogis through children's yoga. Read on to find out what yoga for children is all about.

Kids' yoga: Why yoga with children can become an emotional and physical game changer.

More and more children are struggling to achieve physical and mental balance. For example, standing on one leg can already be a major challenge. But even creating moments of calm and processing sensory impressions and feelings can often lead to an explosive mix of emotions, frequently culminating in a tantrum.

Researchers attribute the problem to increasing sensory overload. Children are frequently exposed to demands that are only partially acceptable even for adults. This very period, when children should be developing naturally and discovering themselves, is increasingly characterized by stress and stringent expectations.

As a passionate yogi, you'll surely agree that a yoga session would be beneficial in stressful situations like these. Why not try a children's yoga session and see how it affects your child? We're convinced: A yoga session with your little one can be a game changer.

To make it easy for you to get started with the topic, in this article we will introduce you to children's yoga and show you which exercises you can use to relax with your child.

But what exactly is children's yoga?

Children's yoga – that is, yoga sessions specifically tailored to the needs of children – meets the youngest yogis where they are in their world: In yoga with children, unlike in adult yoga, a posture or exercise is not explained in detail. Instead, the yoga teachers consciously rely on the children's intuition and work with what presents itself as a natural foundation.

Imagine telling your son or daughter to get into the downward-facing dog position. Your child probably won't ask what this children's yoga pose should look like, but will simply get down on all fours on their own. This is exactly what a specially trained children's yoga teacher can build upon.

Children's yoga is therefore more about "being allowed to experience" things within the context of playful learning. The child's need for movement and acquiring new knowledge is met in an age-appropriate way through the alternation of tension and relaxation.

From what age is children's yoga suitable?

To tailor these offerings to the experiences and needs of children, three age groups are usually established. Accordingly, children's yoga has these three age group divisions:

Recommended reading: Also read our article: “ My dream is to bring yoga and meditation into the classroom. ”

What are the effects of children's yoga?

Yoga has been proven to improve concentration, enhance body awareness, strengthen muscles, balance breathing, increase flexibility, and sustainably stabilize balance. Children benefit not only from the improved body awareness gained through regular yoga practice, but also from its positive effects on self-confidence and emotional stability. Those who are at peace with themselves are less easily disturbed by external influences. Children with ADHD or those who are shy particularly benefit from this.

Furthermore, the children experience a break from their daily routine at kindergarten and school. Prolonged sitting, remaining still, fixed schedules and routines, as well as concentrated work, are particularly difficult for children who need variety and have a natural urge to move. Therefore, children's yoga addresses this issue by specifically balancing long periods of concentration with movement. This develops motor skills and promotes coordination.

Scientific studies have proven that yoga for children not only provides a perfect full-body workout but also improves concentration. In kindergarten and school groups that regularly hold children's yoga sessions, an improvement in social behavior has even been observed. So, go ahead and let your child discover yoga for themselves.

Which children's yoga exercises are suitable for beginners?

There are countless ideas for children's yoga. However, a few are particularly easy to learn and therefore ideal for beginners. We've put together three examples that can be used not only by qualified yoga teachers, but also by you as a parent or guardian.

Children's yoga adventure trip: there's so much to experience!

Perhaps the simplest and most exciting way to incorporate children's yoga exercises is the children's yoga adventure trip: The yoga teacher tells a story, for example, that takes place in the jungle, on the farm or in the zoo, in which the listeners are actively involved in the action.

Whenever an animal appears in the yoga adventure, the children imitate the corresponding animal poses. In this way, the little yogis might encounter a cat, a dog, or a frog. This engages all the senses and helps the children retain the exercises in the long term.

Storytelling segments combined with meditation – that is, consciously winding down and breathing calmly – can be integrated here, as can exercises that really get the circulation going. The children's yoga adventure requires only a little preparation – or at least the yoga teacher should have a rough outline of the story and the exercises, including the desired effects. Is your imagination waning? No problem: Use children's books to read aloud to your listeners.

The thinking cap: for better concentration

Does your child have a test coming up, or does he or she need to calm down in a particular situation? Then the "Thinking Cap" is a great children's yoga exercise. The Thinking Cap is very simple and can be done anytime, as needed. It involves massaging acupressure points in the outer ear. Simply run your thumb and forefinger along the ear from top to bottom, gradually applying pressure.

The frog pose as a children's yoga variation: for more energy

What does crazy jumping around have to do with yoga? A lot, because the frog pose really gets your circulation going. For the frog pose, simply squat down, jump around, and croak to your heart's content. Young children especially will have a blast with this exercise.

How do you get children and teenagers excited about yoga?

A shared yoga routine with your child achieves more than you think.

Getting children excited about yoga doesn't take much, in my experience. Most children are curious and enjoy trying new things. With minimal effort and some teaching skills, you can easily introduce and implement children's yoga ideas.

Is your child a bit older, going through a hormonal rollercoaster, and rather insecure when it comes to speaking and working in groups? In such cases, it's important to convey to teenagers that they are taken seriously and acknowledged as individuals with their own fears, needs, and interests.

Therefore, it's always helpful to first find out what's currently on the minds and interests of your prospective yoga students. This allows you to perfectly tailor the exercises and meet them where they are mentally. For example, factors like coordination, concentration, and body awareness are central elements in yoga, essential for all aspiring professional soccer players or dancers. Once the expected benefits are clear, your child will certainly be more open to trying yoga.

Yoga with children? Absolutely.

You've probably noticed while reading our article: Yoga with children offers a lot of potential, as it challenges and promotes both the body and mind of the growing children.

If you've personally experienced how regular yoga practice has greatly enhanced your self-awareness, you should definitely support your children in having similar experiences. Accompany them on this journey of self-discovery and give them the necessary support: simply try it out and experience it for themselves.

Have you already experienced positive effects and benefits from children's yoga? Then tell us about it and share your experiences and maybe even tips!