Is children’s yoga any good?

Primary schools offering yoga classes for pupils say the activity is used as a calming break from learning, and is packed with physical, mental and emotional benefits.

Parents often talk about using yoga to help children relax before bedtime, and about how a few minutes of yoga can act as a helpful mood-changer for an unhappy child or a child who is refusing to do their homework.

Studies in recent years have reported that yoga for children can offer many benefits. Findings point towards better attention spans and an improved ability to deal with stress. Yoga has been said to help with confidence, self-esteem and have mood-boosting qualities.

Children’s yoga involves movement, stretching and asks children to concentrate on the simple act of breathing. Animal-themed exercises are an example of how teachers make children’s yoga friendly and fun such as:

Lion’s breath – you and your child can sit in a kneeling position, bottom to heels, facing each other. Close your mouths and inhale through your noses. Then, open your mouths wide like a lion, stick out your tongues and breath out through your mouths as you ‘roar.’

Turtle – ask them to sit on their heels and bring their forehead to the floor in front of them and rest their arms by the sides of their body. Breath in and out five times.

 
To read more and watch the BBC’s report on how yoga has benefited behaviour and attitudes at one primary school, visit – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-47489958/yoga-in-schools-has-profound-impact-on-behaviour