Yoga and Children

Yoga is an ideal exercise for our children during this time of inclement weather. It does not require a large amount of space! The children can slowly stretch, balance, concentrate, observe, and move while connecting with the breath to slow down after a busy activity and calm themselves.  It is a time to be present, calm, and a time for children (and teachers!) to relax deeply while moving their bodies.  At South Hills, we use yoga for transition time as well as throughout the day for restoring focus, calm, after a loud, boisterous activity!  Yoga is a means for children to self-regulate, to calm themselves and refocus, concentrating on their breathing with eyes closed.  It is also an excellent practice to support children’s strong emotions.  Frustration, anger, conflicts, sadness melt away during a good yoga session, or even a brief directive to ‘take a bunny breath!” PLUS, the benefits extend throughout the entire classroom!  Lisa Dahahy, a well-known yoga instructor, preschool administrator and consultant states, “When children observe or sense a teacher’s mindfulness, they perceive a safe and nurturing space, their breathing intuitively slows, and they become more attentive, compassionate and curious learners.  Practicing mindfulness can be an effective positive guidance strategy!” The goal for us at South Hills is to give the children tools such as yoga and mindfulness to use throughout their lives for stress management, calming, focusing, observing, centering, body awareness… 

♥Ms. Connie

©ckvogt 11/30/2014