YOGA and kids

Life can be challenging for Child care providers and center teachers as well as the children they support. The world is filled with pressures, challenges and a hurry up attitude.

While other physical activity has beneficial effects to ease the pace of our lives, yoga can provide a slow-down stress relief for both adults and children.
Comprehensive benefits from yoga  include  an increase in strength, agility and coordination, flexibility, and  balance; all of which promote body awareness.  Establishing a focus on concentration, calmness and mindfulness   enhances relaxation.

Adults can use language, themes, music, art, and stories that connect to children’s interests to bring yoga alive in the classroom.  As an example, taking an adventure trip to the Zoo allows each child to experience the power, behavior, movement and noise of animals while doing the poses of monkeys, lions and elephants.   

​In order to maintain children’s attention, adults open up the experience, act as a facilitator, allowing children to discover the poses and enjoy all of the benefits of yoga.
 
For more information on yoga check out the following websites.
Top 40 Kids Yoga Blogs and Websites To Follow in 2018
https://blog.feedspot.com/kids_yoga_blogs/

About the Author
After a 37 year career in child nutrition and CACFP, Ms. Fredericks has been practicing and applying Healthy Living for the past 4 years through nutrition, yoga and general wellness.. As a s a 500 hour RYT she teaches yoga classes for all ages and as a Certified Health and Wellness coach she  provides support for individual healthy behavior changes.

Doris Fredericks, MEd, RDN, RYT
Healthy Living: Nutrition, Yoga
Certified Health and Wellness Coach
408-966-6111

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