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Claire Strickland looks at the holistic alternative to competitive sport – yoga for kids

The discipline of Yoga originated in India some 5,000 years ago and the benefits for adults have been long recognised as a holistic approach to a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Over the last few years, however, research and practical experience have found that an adapted form of Yoga for kids has assisted children with various needs including stress, shyness, asthma, Dyspraxia and Asperger’s Syndrome but also as just a fun alternative form of non–competitive sport for children to keep healthy.

Yoga appears to reduce stress, and help with sleep

Children are under more pressure than ever before to perform well at school, compete with other children, and accept busy parents and packed schedules. Yoga appears to reduce associated stress and help with sleep.

It is becoming more popular for yoga teachers to adapt their classes to specifically cater for and appeal to children. Classes are structured as an adventure where movements are incorporated through storytelling and games.

Children can often become better at poses than their parents and this gives them a wonderful sense of achievement and confidence

Fenella Lindsell of YogaBugs, now franchised countrywide, says, “Yoga gives all children the opportunity to shine. Children can often become better at poses than their parents and this gives them a wonderful sense of achievement and confidence. One boy came to my classes as a very shy and introverted little chap but after a few weeks just loved the class and really came out of himself.”

Research on the effectiveness of yoga indicates a variety of beneficial effects

Yoga works the whole body through a series of poses, some are flowing moves, others are held. The belief is that this can work on many levels to assist a child's wellbeing through demanding concentration, therefore focussing the mind, and working physically on both the internal muscles and superficial muscles, resulting in postures that are designed to stimulate circulation and massage internal organs.

The health benefits, if practiced regularly, can include enhanced flexibility, strength, coordination, improved stamina, better body awareness and better concentration levels. The theory being that these factors can promote self–esteem and assist relaxation holistically and more permanently than other quick fixes.

Research on the effectiveness of yoga indicates a variety of beneficial effects. Whether these are unique effects or a potential cure for certain disorders remains to be scientifically proven.

There are numerous new yoga classes for kids now throughout the UK and classes are becoming increasingly integrated into primary school curricula. Yoga can cater for all ages of children. Older children can also benefit, as Fenella explained, “Our class for 8–12 year olds can boost confidence through breathing, vocalisation and visualisation techniques.”

LINKS

The Yoga Bugs website: http://www.yogabugs.com/ Yoga Bugs caters for children between 21⁄2–7 and Yoga’d Up for 8–12 years old: www.yogadup.com

The British Wheel of Yoga website: www.bwy.org.uk - The British Wheel of Yoga is the governing body for Yoga in the UK.

The Yoga Biomedical Trust: www.yogatherapy.org

Yoga Directory: www.yogadirectory.com