Introducing children to yoga, meditation and spirituality is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. It can set their future on a nourishing and creative course. – Swami Shankardev Saraswat
Yoga at an early age encourages self-esteem and body awareness and is a great gift to give our children. No matter how young your children are, it’s never too early for them to learn yoga! Children can derive enormous benefit. It enhances their flexibility, strength, coordination and body awareness and helps to improve their concentration, sense of calmness and relaxation.
Here are five easy poses you and your children can do at home.
1. Mountain Pose:Stand up straight with your shoulders over your hips, arms down by your side and palms facings thighs and reach down with your fingertips. Balance your weight evenly on your feet.
2. Cow Pose:Get on your hands and knees. Keep your shoulders over your wrists and your hips over your knees. Arch your spine and look up to the sky. Try to touch your head to your tail.
3. Cat Pose: While on all fours, curl your spine like an angry cat. Imagine your tail curling in between your legs. This is the reverse shape of the spine in cow pose. Alternate between cat and cow and have your kids make the noises in between!
4. Downward Dog:While your feet and hands are on the ground, stretch your hips high to make a triangle shape. Spread your fingers wide and press your hands into the ground. Stretch your back and try to get your head to touch the ground while your heels stretch to try to reach the floor.
5. Tree Pose: Stand on your left foot with the right foot bent and placed on the inside of your left thigh. Imagine that your foot is growing roots into the earth and you are reaching up to the sky through the crown of your head like a tall tree. Practice lifting the arms up overhead and sway the torso side to side like a tree blowing in the wind.
Try this sequence and give your children the gift of yoga. They can start at any age and the benefits will last a lifetime.