HEALTH+WELLNESS
THE BENEFITS OF
children’s yoga
Yoga is designed to create a balance of mind and body, to ease stress, to create
physical flexibility, and to transform lives. Once it was the domain of the middle
classes, those with time to spare and cash to burn, but now it is accessible to
everyone, and it is a great way to keep fit and healthy whilst de-stressing and
allowing the mind to recharge. BY LISAMARIE LAMB
If adults can benefit so much from yoga, what
about children? And how does yoga for children
differ from the 5,000-year-old practice that is
now so widely known and, if not completely
understood, then at least utilised in everyday life
for so many?
Children’s yoga is becoming more and more
popular, and has been shown to have many
benefits for the little ones that can really make a
difference in their lives at home and at school.
Children’s yoga differs from the standard version
for adults in that it is mainly play centred. This is
a great way to keep the kids interested and
involved, and gets them to pose themselves in
the yoga stances without them even realising it.
Games that include props or visual stimulus are
particularly helpful, but it’s not all about physical
movement – some games are more about focus
and attention, noticing what might have changed
in a scene, for example. And some are about
meditation, learning how to breathe in a certain
way in order to be able to relax. As long as a
game can be made of it, the child will learn and
automatically use that learning in their day-today lives.
Of course, not all the poses are possible with
youngsters, and not all are required (especially
as children are inherently flexible anyway), so a
specialist children’s yoga teacher will cater his
or her class to specific moves that will benefit a
child. Perfection, although expected in an adult
class, is not striven for here – the intention of the
move or pose is much more important.
learning, crafts, and music teach the children
more about yoga.
Benefits
Yoga Nut
www.yoganut.org // 01622 873380 // Maidstone
Yoga Nut works with preschool children to give
them a grounding and understanding in yoga,
as well as a place to enjoy themselves and play
games that relate back to the practice. Using the
natural world as a base, the children are
encouraged to use their imagination to its full
potential.
• Children’s yoga keeps the child flexible for
longer, meaning that the body is less prone to
injury
• Children’s yoga teaches the child how to focus,
pay attention, concentrate, and learn self-control
• Children’s yoga gives the child greater selfesteem, persistence, and confidence
• Children’s yoga relaxes the child, and when
they do become tense or upset, they are able
to calm themselves using their yoga techniques
• Children’s yoga is often said to ignite creativity.
The games that are played require the children
to interact with stories, and to think of their own
• Children’s yoga encourages kind behaviour
• Children’s yoga provides a positive body image
• Children’s yoga teaches discipline and good
manners
Children’s Yoga Classes in Kent
Yoga For Kids
www.yogaforkids.co.uk // 01732 450814 //
Sevenoaks
Based in Sevenoaks, Yoga For Kids offers
something for every age, and can be found
working in schools and clubs in the area. They
also run fun, yoga-based parties for up to 15
children, where all the games, co-operative
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Kent Yoga
www.kentyoga.co.uk // Throughout Kent
Kent Yoga focuses on family bonding, and its
most popular classes are for parents and their
children. Different classes are designed for
different ages (toddlers, 6-9 and 9-12 years), and
teach different techniques. Each class has the
same incredible benefits, but is taught in an ageappropriate way.
Karma Studios
www.karmastudios.co.uk // 020 8639 0000 //
West Wickham
Karma Studios offers drop-in sessions or sixweek terms for children’s yoga, and concentrates
on improving strength, building confidence, and
combating anxiety. One-to-one sess