I want to talk a little bit about the opportunities and benefits of introducing yoga to toddlers and older children. While the direct benefits of yoga remain, children who get to be active with parents on a daily basis get to bond and learn while developing gross motor skills. Other benefits include a reduction in hyperactivity, and safe and gentle postures to build strength and self confidence while being very low risk for injury.
Postures for kids can be an absolute ball of fun. Many exercises include postures where children can be creative-thinking of different animals that they may be while in that posture. While trying to write this article and be mom at the same time I got the kids involved to show you some examples.
Check out my youngest (Moses 2.5) doing Upward facing dog. He told me he was a lion and we practiced together while I threw in a few downward dogs for myself.
Next we have Isaiah 5 doing Downward Dog. When I asked him what he was he said he was a lion. Many DVD programs for yoga with kids tell the kids the name of the animal they are being. Our way works better for my kids because they like to feel like they’re involved in directing activities. My kids enjoy getting to use their imaginations and I can put on my own video. It also feels less like they are being told what to do and more like playing!
Moses is now doing plank (not the greatest form but he is getting there!) My boys are very active and need to constantly burn their energy. Instilling regular physical exercise as a daily principle will reduce the chance of adult inactivity that can lead to health problems.
Isaiah is doing prayer. While this may seem impossible, getting your little one to experience the joy of a little quiet reflective time is a great skill that I wish I had learned earlier. Yoga with kids should be light and fun and enjoyable like all activities. Isaiah was practicing thinking about things that make him happy here.
Keep in mind practicing yoga with kids may actually buy you the time needed to do your own. Helping children to enjoy activity is key. Yoga is great for indoor rainy days and blistering winter weekends. Most importantly instilling active values in your kids will open doors for you as well.
Hope everyone has a great week.
Andrea
Andrea Page, founder of FITMOM is one of North America’s leading experts in prenatal, postnatal and beyond. You can access information about FITMOM in your area at www.fitmomfitness.com. To get free online support go to www.newmom101.com
Honestly it is so cute. Try and take it as it comes like everything else with two year olds
You never know when they will put out of the hat. The other day I was waiting for a ferry from the Island in Toronto and Moses just started downward dogs and cobras. Some good entertainment for us all!
I never thought about introducing Yoga to my daughter (2 1/2) and I’ve always been interested in it but never followed through with a class or video. I will have to look for a video for both of us to try together, I think she will love it.
What a great idea for kids. My daughter often watches me and tries to imitate some of the moves. I’d love to find her a local kids class!
Tracy
Hi Andrea,
I absolutely hate Yoga but have been trying it out this summer because our unstructured schedule at the cottage has pretty much ended any opportunities to go to the gym. My daughter loves it! She’s 4 and wants to do Yoga all day…the only part she doesn’t like is that Momma can’t do any of the advanced poses in the book…maybe by September?
I am new to yoga and got interested in it after reading a book .I like that fact that as a busy mom I can find my alone time and practice and feel totally fresh and renewed when Im not without ever leaving the house!
PS thanks for the compliments on the boys..i think their pretty cute too!
Hey Jen
Some classes offer more or less. It is best to call around. However as I say all the time often what you hate you need the most 🙂
I can’t really comment on the Yoga but OMG…your kids are SO beautiful!
I did Yoga for one session 9 years ago when I was pregnant with my first and was totally not thrilled with the meditation element. Just my high strung personality I guess. Is meditation a part of all Yoga? I could really use the stretching to help with flexibility but the meditation is not for me.
Awesome comments everyone
To Caroline on safe poses etc..it is always best to get some instruction or try a DVD..having said that thorwing in a DVD and letting the child follow along at thier own pace or mimic you is a good idea as well.
Thanks for all the different local tips as well~~~!
My oldest has been doing Yoga since she was about 3 (now 7). She has always been very active and very emotionally sensitive, wears her heart on her sleeve! Yoga gave her a great way to channel that extra energy and a focus point for her emotions. Recently she has introduced it to her twin sisters (3 years old). They have fun doing it together and love it when I put the video on for them when I am on my way out the door to my Yoga class. I am a Bikrams Yoga addict myself, love the workout, love the focus/mental clarity and LOVE the sweat!!!
Hey if any of you are in the Oshawa area and are looking to introduce your kids to yoga, Lululemon Athletica Oshawa offers a complimentary Kids Yoga and a Story the first Sunday of every month from 9:30-10:30am. I have been to it and it is an amazing way to get your little ones active and even see if it’s something they would enjoy!!
My daughter who is 5 has been into yoga since I bought her the “Little Yogi’s” dvd when she was around 3. Kids really relate to the yoga videos I find so it might be a good start for little ones. I picked mine at Chapters.
I like yoga but find it hard to wind down, be quiet for so long and do it alone. I need social yoga, if there is such a thing 🙂 I know, contradictory.
I heard DailyApple in the Yonge/Eg area has a combination class of yoga with pilates. This might satisfy my attention deficit yoga wishes.
Ohm mani pad me hummmmm
I just signed myself and two daughters, ages 4 1/2 and 3 for mommy and me Yoga. We are all loving it! I love walking into their bedrooms and seeing them practicing their “bow wow dog”( down ward facing dog!)
My children absolutely love doing yoga and stretching. Especially my 2 year old. Their faves are cobra and downward facing dog. We do a little of yoga every morning when we wake up. I find its a great start to the day!
Yoga has brought me a sense of peace throughout my life!
I LOVE yoga and what it has done for my physical wellbeing, not to mention the friends I have made in the intimate little class I have been attending for over 2 years. I took my 7 year old daughter once, and she kept up for the whole 90 minutes, unable to understand how poses that are so easy for her could be so hard for me. Ah, to have a child’s flexibility!
Thank you for focusing on yoga this month – what a great idea!
My daughter was very curious knowing me practicing yoga at the gym everytime we went there together (she stayed in the playroom, of course). I want to introduce her to yoga, don’t know how. What would you suggest? Thanks.
Do you use your own video and the kids do it along with you or do you know enough yoga and the “routine” that you do it on your own? Are all/any poses good for kids or are there some they should not do?