International Yoga Day: How to introduce yoga to your kids

Reyansh Surani a 9yearold recently set a new world record when he became the youngest certified yoga instructor in the world Yoga has been long championed as a way of holistic wellbeing which has far reaching positive effects Intodayrsquos fastpaced times and especially demanding lifestyle kids and young adults can benefit from picking up this ancient practice Yoga can help sculpt not only bodies but also minds and give kids the tools to cope with emotional upheavals and live a balanced lifestyle Midday Online spoke to yoga experts who shared how yoga can positively impact the health of children how parents can introduce their kids to yoga and easy poses to get them startedNot just physical but mental strengtheningldquoYoga and mindfulness practices are very helpful for improving the physical health of children Research has shown that regular yoga practice is strongly associated with improvement in cognitive skills like focus and memory in children 612 years of age It helps with stress management by reducing anxiety and improving selfesteem And regular yoga practice in kids has also shown improvement in academic performancerdquo says Namita Piparaiya yoga and ayurveda lifestyle specialist and founder of YoganamaldquoYoga is important for growing kids The poses will help them build physical strength and give them appropriate levels of flexibility thatrsquos needed at their age even to support other sports It encourages the connection between mind and body which helps in building a healthy relationship with all other activities theyrsquore involved in Yoga also contributes to building better immunity and if practiced regularly positively impacts their mental wellbeing and even increases attention spanrdquo adds Sonakshi Dhamija certified yoga instructorIntroducing in an interesting wayldquoBy making yoga playful and interactive parents can make it more interesting for children One should certainly not force their kids to practice yoga but the style of yoga can be modified in ways that make it more appealing for the childrdquo says PiparaiyaWhen asked how to engage kids and hold their attention the Mumbaibased yoga expert explained ldquoVisualisation yoga games and the participation of parents would also encourage the child to practice yoga Children will be more open to the practice if they see their parents practicing yoga and meditation By incorporating these practices into their own routine parents will help the child build a stronger relationship with yogardquoElaborating on parental participation Dhamija explains ldquoKids learn best from what they see so if parents include kids in their own yoga classes thatrsquos the best way to learn I have had a 2yearold learn the full lsquosurya namaskarrsquo just by observing her mom do it in my class When encouraged they love the poses and some kids even pick up chanting Om or the prayers that are said before and after the practice Kids need to feel included in the environment The best way is to let them take their time and not force them to do certain poses Instead allow them to initially pick up things by simple observationrdquoKidfriendly asanas for beginnersldquoYoga is one of the most important subjects to be inculcated in the kidrsquos life so that they can live a healthy and content life A regular and aligned practice of these asanas will enhance and contribute to the developing personality in kids It will make them healthy compassionate and confidentrdquo says Rajesh Singh Maan a spiritual yoga guru and sacred sciences teacher He is popularly known as Acharya Advait Yogbhushan and is the founder of Swamarpan Foundation and A Himalayan Yogi InstituteTaadasanaIt is a standing asana and the best asana to begin yoga abhyasa The practitioner in this asana stands engaging their full body lifting the chest up and stretching both arms upwards which lifts off the weight of the ribs from the lungs This asana is great for kids as it will naturally expand their lungs and breathing abilityMalasanaThis asana is a sitting asana First the practitioner stands with their feet hipwidth apart in the namaskar position then sits down in a squatting position as though the knees are being pushed by the elbows This asana will strengthen the digestive system in kids which will support their immunity as it stimulates the abdominal muscles and keeps the digestive system happyArdha MatsyendrsanaIt is a twisting asana To get in this posture the practitioner sits with his legs stretched outwards One leg is folded from knee to hip and the other leg is folded and kept across the first leg where the ankle touches the hip This asana works on the pancreas and regulates insulin in the body It ensures the proper flow of glucose in the entire body A longer practice will protect the child from chronic diseases like diabetes for a lifetimeEk PadangushtanasanaThis asana is great for keeping the childrsquos body in proper alignment To start the practitioner stands with their legs hipwidth apart and holds the big toe of the right foot with the right hand by stretching the right leg ahead of them till it forms a 90degree angle with the left leg This asana is great for kids as their flexible bodies can easily perform this asana keeping their body always aware of all the six dimensions existing around them where their body can move It teaches their mind the freedom of possibilities existing around them which develops better decisionmaking skills in childrenParvatasanaThis asana is also known as the mountain posture To perform this asana the practitioner gets on all fours and straightens the knees such that the body appears like a mountain from the side This asana strengthens the arms and leg muscles It also tones the spinal nerves and ensures the proper flow of blood from the spinal column It is great for children as a regular practice of Parvatasana will strengthen their limbs contributing to structure formationAlso ReadA 15 minute yoga routine that workaholics can squeeze inDisclaimer This article is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice diagnosis or treatment Midday Online does not in any way endorse the accuracy completeness efficacy or timeliness of any advice or line of treatment mentioned in this article Readers must always seek the advice of a certified medical practitioner andor nutritionist first before initiating any changes to their diet plans or fitness routines and deciding on or starting any course of treatment