One of yoga's many benefits is better posture! Yoga poses straightens and strengthens the spine, sending a fresh flow of blood and nutrients to a child's muscles and disks. When the back is upright and lifted, it enables better energy flow, which helps the nervous system work more efficiently. When the nervous system is working optimally, involuntary actions, such as breathing and digestion, improve. Yoga poses also strengthen the muscles that support the spine, resulting in less backaches. Improved posture enhances lung capacity, blood circulation, and energy flow through the body. Regularly sitting in a slouched posture prevents proper breathing. Developing good posture from practicing yoga could counteract the time children spend slumped in a chair watching TV or using a computer and/or video games!
Yoga promotes body awareness. The majority of yoga poses are repeated om both sides of the body. This is believed to harmonize the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Through the slow, guided movements of yoga, a child becomes more aware of the body feeling of tightness. Children learn to take each pose to a comfortable limit and guide the breath to any spot that feels tight, in order to encourage relaxation and loosening of that tight part of the body. This awareness of tight parts of the body will guide the child to greater care and safety with each pose. Children become aware of each portion of their body and how it moves in various directions. With repeated movements, the body learns to move more skillfully and flow more easily through transitions.
Besides focus on the body, yoga promotes focus of the mind. Concentration and visualization exercises help children learn to sit still, get in touch with their inner selves, focus their minds and avoid outside distractions in order to learn to enjoy the present moment. Concentration skills also help children become more alert and receptive, making it easier to pay attention at school and increase their learning abilities.
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