How to teach Yoga to children?

Discover some tricks to teach Yoga to children.

In one of the previous articles, we talked about the benefits that the practice of Yoga can represent in children. Today we would like to offer you some tips to start children in this discipline naturally and without haste.

A very important element when teaching something new to young children is to show their attractiveness from the beginning . And how do we do that? Using the language of the game . Using words, expressions and practices that resemble the children's universe of playing and laughing can help us teach Yoga to children. This can prevent them from feeling bored or overwhelmed by the discipline or austerity that often characterize this spiritual practice.

Next, we leave you some very simple and fun tricks to introduce children to the world of Yoga.

• Set up a sensible and fun sequence: when planning a class for children, the order is important, but above all the way in which said sequence is taught . Starting with a warm-up game to release your energy can be a good option to replace the sitting posture that usually begins the traditional practice. The class does not have to be 60 continuous minutes : to keep their attention, games, stories and songs can be interspersed. You can use the phrase "Yogi says" so that the children gradually review the postures learned and feel like little masters. When telling a story, you can choose an attractive myth from the yoga traditions and associate it with the theme of the class and the instructions of the asana ("feel the strength of the legs of the Virabadra warrior", "move your arms like the wings of a butterfly", "find the balance of the eagles, that majestic, carefully observe the world").
• Interact with them: Making them part of the class will keep their interest active. Asking them how they are, what they want to do, how they feel and what they have done during the day can help us understand them better: children are sometimes tired, hungry or worried about their little personal things. If we see them grumbling, laughing or dreaming, we must be understanding. They are children.

• Making the practice become an exciting game : not taking the rigidity that usually characterizes the practice of yoga so seriously; not with the kids. It is important that there is a routine and some discipline, but it is even more important that creative expression is allowed. Feed their imagination, ask for their opinion and listen with love and attention to everything they want to say; even if it's in the middle of a sequence or holding an asana. Leaving them the time and space to express themselves will educate them in the value of satya: authenticity at every moment is vital. This will teach them the importance of expressing their feelings, emotions or thoughts and will prevent them from becoming self-repressing people in the long run.
• Being the example: emulating what we want to see in others (and especially in children) is essential to be able to teach, inspire and share. If we want to see acts of unconditional love in children, we must not only explain what this principle consists of, but put it into practice whenever possible . Children understand everything best through experience and love to imitate those who teach them. Therefore, to successfully transmit the values ​​of Yoga , it is important to embody them in our own person: to be loving, honest, without greed or jealousy, austere and content, clean and neat, studious and playful, carefree and confident.

Finally, from Believe Athletics we want to make you understand that although Yoga has many benefits for children, it should not be imposed. Although practice educates, stimulates and heals, not all children have the same need to practice. Some will find the same benefits developing other skills such as singing, piano, writing, reading, climbing, swimming, sculpting, studying, gardening, painting, cooking... The nicest thing we can do for them is to encourage them to work on what makes them happy ; in what they feel is a gift for them and that with this they will be able to help, inspire and educate .

Mae Knapnougel