Yoga Kids

Imagine a room full of cows, effortlessly transforming into meowing cats. Later, the same children balance on one leg spreading their limbs to become forest filled with different types of trees. This is a scene from a preschool class room where children experience the many benefits of practicing yoga. Yoga is a natural, creative way for children to move their bodies while developing confidence, self-awareness, and a healthy life style.

The physical benefits of yoga include increased coordination, strength balance, and flexibility as children stretch and move their bodies to become a dog, tree or snake. Yoga practicing children improve their self-regulation and relaxtion. They gain body strength and feelings of accomplishment at the same time. Yoga is inherently non-competivie and accepting. Just as nature is filled with many different types of trees, each child forms his or her own unique tree pose. As yoga is accepting of all abilities, strengths and weaknesses, it has many benefits for children.

Periodically, the library hosts Yoga classes for kids. You may see some this summer!

The library just acquired a new set of Yoga DVD's for children by the well-known Yoga publishing company Gaiam. We also have books for kids, that teach Yoga poses on a page by page basis.
For additional information for caregivers beginning yoga with children: http://yogakids.com/

Article by Deborah Muro, M.A. All Children Considered.