Yoga Is For Kids Too

  Today yoga is one of the most effective ways to mentally, physically and emotionally balance kids overall. It is an enjoyable activity that they can carry with them throughout their lives.

Kids can benefit from yoga for many reasons such as: complements their growth, teaches them correct postures, reduces anger, anxiety & tension, relaxes the mind, body & soul,  improves low self esteem, improves memory, concentration, strength, stability, inner peace, encourages them to be confident & independent, improves immunity & digestion, improves breathing and helps aid in health issues and disabilities

Below I have posted some yoga poses (asanas) presented by my 8 year old niece Alyza, "Little Yogini"

Lotus Pose(Padm-asana)

Lotus Pose:

    Position yourself  in a meditation pose with both feet resting on the opposite thigh, this resembles a lotus flower.

Benefits:

• Relaxing effect on the nervous system.
• Decreased muscular tension.
• Reduces blood pressure.
• Stimulates digestive process.
• Measured stability and steadiness.
• Mental and physical peace.
• Allows free flow of blood and prana(energy) through the chakaras

Cobra(Bhujang-asana)

Cobra Pose:

 Lie down in a prone position. Start to move the top of the body upwards & backwards as far as possible, hold it up with stretched arms. The back should have a comfortable dip, but not to the point of pain

Benefits:

• Loosens the spine & strengthens the circulation in the back
• When the body bends this way, it stimulates the functioning of the kidneys & adrenal glands. Diuresis  naturally will also improve
• Improves the myocardial muscle and warms the entire body
• Regulates the agni(digestive fire)
• Tones the abdominal organs
• Stimulates the chakras
•  Reduces pitta
• Improves upper body strength

Tree Pose(Vriksh-asana)

Tree Pose 

Balance on both feet while slowly shifting your weight to the right foot and lifting the left off the floor. Place the left foot on the inside of the inner right thigh. Try to focus on one thing so your balance is maintained. Slowly raise your arms over the head bringing the palms together.

Benefits:

• Improves balance and strengthens the legs & overall body
• Improves focus and eyesight
• Provides inner peace & balance(our left legs represents our emotions and the right our rational emotions.When the leg is unstable while balancing, it shows the emotional or rational part of our soul is either lacking or being suppressed. Thus this pose gives us inner and outer peace, balance
• Improves respiration
• Improves memory/concentration

   Downward Facing Dog(Adho Mukha Svan-asana)

Downward Facing Dog:

 Position your body on the hands and knees, stretch your elbows remembering to relax the back between the shoulder blades. Exhale and lift your knees away from the floor, you can keep the feet slightly spread apart. You may also slightly keep the knees bent or straighten them. Your body should look like an inverted "V"

Benefits:

• Strengthens the arms, legs, ankles, abs,quads
• Stretches the hamstrings, calves and keeps spine flexible
• Improves focus, mental alertness
• Improves fatigue
• Strengthens wrists
• Decreases anxiety & stress
• Improves body circulation
• Decreases back pain

Side Plank(Vasisth-asana)

Side Plank:

Lay on your side & place your forearm under the shoulder perpendicular to the body. Next place the upper leg stacked on top of the other & straighten the knees and hips. You will feel ridged while you raise your body upwards, hold as long as possible and repeat on the other side.

Benefits:

•  Strengthens the wrists, arms, legs,hips, spine & external obliques
•  Tones the abdominal muscles & reduces tummy fat
•  Increases patience
•  Improves flexibility, balance and concentration

  Warrior Pose(Virabhadr-asana)

Warrior Pose:

 Stand in a tada-asana pose(simple balance). Spread your legs a few feet apart & raise your arms overhead perpendicular to the floor & palms facing each other. Move your left leg backwards and slightly lean forwards. Keep your back straight while arms are stretched overhead.

Your left  foot, back and arms will form a diagonal line. Lift your left  foot & straighten your right leg at the same time, keep arms parallel to the floor.

Now your upper body, raised leg & arms should also be parallel to the floor. Stretch your whole body, spine, arms & legs, keep exhaling in and out.

Benefits:

• Stretches & strengthens the back, spine
• Improves balance, focus & coordination
• Improves stamina
• Improves physical strength in legs, ankles, knees, joints
• Relieves back pain and sciatica
• Opens up the chest, lungs and heart
• Relieves arthritis pains
• Circulates blood flow & re-directs Vata downwards
• Relieves constipation and improves the digestive agni

Upward Bow Pose/Wheel Pose(Urdhva Mukha Svan-asana)

Upward Bow Pose: 

Lay on your back with knees bent & soles of your feet on the floor. Slightly spread feet & legs apart and as close to the buttocks as possible. Bend your elbows and place your hands flat on the ground above the shoulders, hands facing your feet. Inhale, push into your palms while lifting your head, shoulders & back off the ground. Your head crown should be touching your mat with hands and feet parallel,  try to bring your hands naf feet closer in together, take a few deep breaths & repeat 3-10 times.

Benefits:  

• Stretches & improves the spine, back, shoulders, chest, lungs,legs, thighs,wrists, arms
• Opens up & stimulates your energy channels, heart & throat chakra
• Improves flexibility
• Relieves depression symptoms
• Activates the thyroid, pituitary glands & brain
• Boosts energy levels
• Improves certain back pain, asthma, infertility, sinusitis