Question:
I
was doing a yoga video the other day, and my 8-year-old wanted
to do it with me. I think it would be great for her to get some
exercise. Is it safe for children to practice yoga?
Karen
Prior replies: Absolutely! Yoga is great for kids. When
parents call me on the phone and ask how to get their kids into
yoga, I tell the parents that the first thing they need to do
is to practice yoga themselves. We have to lead by example in
getting our kids to follow a healthier lifestyle. It sounds like
you moving in the right direction.
When
to use caution
There are a few exercises that are not appropriate for children,
and there are some guidelines you can follow when doing yoga with
your children.
Inversions
like shoulder stand, headstand and handstand should only be done
by children when under the guidance of an experienced yoga instructor.
Inversions are generally not recommended for children under the
age of 8 and older in some cases. This is due to the risk of injury
and also the lack of strength and body awareness that is required
to safely and correctly execute the pose.
Pranayama
practice is also cautioned for children under the age of 8, but
you can play breathing games that are common in most children's
yoga videos.
If
your child is joining you for a yoga video, be sure you have previewed
it. Skip the pranayama and inversions. It is likely that your
child will express interest in these things; in this case, I would
recommend that you seek a children's yoga teacher for guidance.
Just as a good gymnastics coach tells her young gymnasts not to
do gymnastics outside the gym because there is a risk of injury
if you do not have proper spotting and equipment, these yoga-specific
exercises should also be done in yoga class.
“Do
as I do”
When practicing yoga with your child, do not try to be the "yoga
teacher." Instead, be a parent and let them imitate you as
a child should. I caution you on manually adjusting them or telling
them they are not doing it right. This can not only cause injury
but it can build up resistance to yoga and within your relationship.
Instead,
if you notice they are not doing something exactly correct, ask
them to "follow you" or "do what you do."
If they still do not get it, then move on to the next pose. I
really find that doing a yoga video together can be a great experience.
It takes you out of the teacher role and everyone can go at her
own pace.
Breathe
and have fun!
And don't forget to relax at the end! Relaxation could be one
of the most important parts but can also be one of the hardest
parts. Encourage your child to rest for even 10 breaths or for
the duration of one song.
Keep
the practice positive and give lots of encouragement if they have
a hard time doing any of the exercises. Keep it fun.
Here
are some great yoga resources that can be fun for the whole family:
• OhmLand
CD
Children's yoga music CD that provides a full yoga practice with
silly songs from an off-Broadway musical.
• The
Yoga Garden Game
A cooperative board game that is fun for 2-year-olds and 12-year-olds!
• Family
Yoga with Rodney Yee
A beautifully filmed yoga video with Rodney Yee's beautiful family
doing yoga. My favorite part is when each child leads a round
of sun salutations in the beginning of the video.
• Yoga
for the Kids in All of Us
My favorite kid's yoga video. There are lots of fun partner yoga
postures that you can do with your child. Don't let the cover
photo of a child in a headstand throw you off. That is a stock
photo and not a pose from the actual video.
• Playful
Family
Yoga by Teressa Asenica A great book that shows you how to do
partner yoga postures with your children.
• Find
a Children's Yoga Teacher Near You
©
Karen Prior
