Many children are naturally flexible. How do you teach them to control their flexibility?
Some children are going to be very flexible, while others will be the opposite. One of the most important aspects of yoga is to help the children get in touch with their own bodies. Keeping this in mind, teach them to observe what feels good and what doesn’t feel good. Teach them to look at themselves instead of judging themselves in relation to the other children.
How do you make yoga exciting for children?
Their relatively short attention span is definitely the biggest challenge, especially with the younger children. Most children are easily bored and distracted so you need to keep them moving, present challenges, and do a variety of activities. At the same time you don’t want to make the classes too stimulating so a well balanced class always starts with a breathing pose and ends with a relaxation pose.
One way to keep the students engaged is to give them an opportunity to play “teacher” and make up their own poses. In each class some time can be given for them to either create their own poses, or to choose which pose they would like to do.
Why is yoga good for children?
Children are often under stress between homework, competition, and endless after school activities. There is family pressure, pressure to get good grades, and popularity issues. The constant competition tends to make them critical of themselves and of others which often results in loss of self esteem. In yoga there is no winner or loser. There is no performing. Everyone works together. Besides, the yoga poses are fun!
One of the reasons we call this program Bright Yogis is that children learn more effectively when they are relaxed. Relax to learn, learn to relax. Focus and concentration improves and at the same time children gain strength, flexibility, stamina and coordination as well as improved functioning of their vital body systems.
At what age can a child begin to practice yoga?
There are yoga techniques for all ages, even babies that have yet to crawl. However, before the ages of 8 or 9 yoga is only done in a playful manner. After the age of 9 they can begin a program of formal poses, with precision of technique being introduced after puberty.
Remember, teaching is a very transparent situation. If you love children, the children will respond. If you have passion for the subject, the children will respond. The children will enjoy being with you and they will enjoy the subject. And when “life gets in the way” and you are not fully present, the brightness of the children will help bring you back.
Kirsten Dalsgaard studied under Theresa Rowland at Studio Yoga in Madison NJ. She has since moved back home to Denmark where she runs her own studio Studie Yoga, Allerod, Denmark
