Tips for Yoga with Your Child at Home:
The
greatest challenge with children is to hold their attention long enough to
teach them the benefits of yoga: stillness, balance, flexibility, focus, peace,
grace, connection, health, and well-being.
Luckily,
most children love to talk, and they love to move—both of which can happen in
yoga. Children will jump at the chance to assume the role of animals, trees,
flowers, warriors.
Your
role is to step back and allow them to bark in the dog pose, hiss in the cobra,
and meow in cat stretch.
They
can also recite the ABCs or 123s as they are holding poses. Sound is a great
release for children and adds an auditory dimension to the physical experience
of yoga.
Children need to discover the world on their own. Telling them to think
harder, do it better, or be a certain way because it's good for them is not the
optimal way. Instead, provide a loving, responsive, creative environment for
them to uncover their own truths.
As they perform the various animal and nature asanas, engage their minds
to deepen their awareness. When they're snakes (Bhujangasana),
invite them to really imagine that they're just a long spine with no arms and
legs. Could you still run or climb a tree? In Tree Pose (Vrksasana),
ask them to imagine being a giant oak, with roots growing out of the bottoms of
their feet. Could you stay in the same position for 100 years? If you were to
be chopped down, would that be OK? Would it hurt?
When
they stretch like a dog, balance like a flamingo, breathe like a bunny, or
stand strong and tall like a tree, they are making a connection between the
macrocosm of their environment and the microcosm of their bodies. The
importance of reverence for all life and the principle of interdependence
becomes apparent. Children begin to understand that we are all made of the same
"stuff." We're just in different forms.
Think
of yourself as a facilitator rather than a teacher. Guide your children while
simultaneously opening your heart and letting them guide you. They'll no doubt
invite you into a boundless world of wonder and exploration. If you choose to
join them, the teaching/learning process will be continually reciprocal and
provide an opportunity for everyone to create, express themselves, and grow
together.
