Posted by on 6/8/2021 to
Let's Talk Yoga!
Simple. Safe. Effective. Yoga Poses for Preschoolers (PreK).
Yoga means union, the union of all the practices of knowledge, meditation and physical well-being. Yoga is a thousand-year-old discipline, yet extremely modern, recognized as one of the most complete for the health of the body, mind and to develop self-knowledge.
The benefits of yogic practice are no longer a mystery to anyone but it is a pleasure and a duty to remember them. Yoga aimed at preschoolers has as its primary purpose the integral and harmonious development of the person which is achieved with the awareness of oneself on the physical, emotional and psychic level; promotes and determines a more responsible relationship in connection with others and with the environment through the transmission of universal values, such as peace, non-violence, respect for nature and others. . Let’s see then more about yoga for preschoolers
Why yoga for preschoolers is a must?
1) Yoga for prek helps to keep the body strong, the spine straight and to ensure flexibility. In fact, through the harmonic extension of the movements, it does not neglect tendons and ligaments, avoiding joint problems in adulthood.
2) With yoga for prek you learn to breathe: in the West, children as early as one year often breathe with their mouths open and this increases the possibility of infections such as rhinitis and sore throats. By teaching slow breathing, children in a few months are able to practice it spontaneously in a complete way with great advantages.
3) Yoga for prek is also suitable for problems related to emotionality, insomnia, stomach ache, psychosomatic disorders. Through relaxation techniques in terms of dreams and visualization of positive images, children rebalance themselves physically and mentally.
4) With the yogic practice the child learns to relax the body and the mind, appreciate the slowness and the pauses, listen to his inner world and accept it;
When to start yoga for preschoolers?
Around the age of three or four, although it depends a lot on how the children were raised. If they are very lively they must be gradually and carefully inserted into the group, because often it is not so much hyper-activity but of restlessness, that is, energetic or inner problems expressed incorrectly and which should not be repressed, but only well channeled. Yoga for prek mainly takes the form of a game and an opportunity for activity, in which they learn to perceive themselves, to control themselves and to let go of tensions.
Yoga asanas for preschoolers
There are so many positions (or asanas), but here we propose our favorite ones that your preschooler can start from: some very simple and others slightly more complicated to do when your children are more trained. Remember that yoga for children is different from yoga for adults. For the little ones it must be a game, a moment of leisure, to promote relaxation and self-discovery.
The cobra
https://www.yogahealthjournal.com/yoga/yoga-pose/best-yoga-poses-kids-health/
It is performed on the stomach, keeping the arms straight, the elbows flexed, the buttocks contracted and the high neck very straight. This position resolves the incorrect postures of the column.
The bow
https://www.kidsyogastories.com/bow-pose-kids/
On your stomach, grab your ankles by bending your knees and then slowly lift off the ground keeping your feet away from your head. This position stimulates the abdominal organs and reduces stress.
Down-Dog
https://kid101.com/should-you-be-doing-yoga-with-your-kids/downward-dog-kids-yoga-kid101/
With your legs and arms raised, but firmly on the ground, you will be able to stretch your spine well.
Tree
https://shapeyourfutureok.com/activities/tree-pose/
With your hands raised to the sky touching each other, lift one leg slightly at the knee and experience balance, focus on yourself and the space around you.
The Triangle
https://yogakids.com/category/pose-of-the-week/
Also known as Trikonasana, it resembles the shape of large, golden pyramids. By assuming the position of the triangle respecting his own limits, the child is able to stabilize the center of gravity of his body, perceive the alignment between the hip and shoulder and make his legs strong.
The Cat
https://www.kidsyogastories.com/cat-pose/
To help the children take this position, just suggest that they imitate a sweet kitten stretching its back. Babies will need to arch their backs and look up when they inhale, while they should curve their backs and look towards the navel when they exhale. They will have a lot of fun and relax the spine.
The Sun Salutation
https://www.teepublic.com/de/pin/7096965-morning-yoga-surya-namaskar-sun-salutation
The sun salutation or surya namaskara is one of the yoga positions particularly recommended for children, especially for beginners. It's an easy sequence and usually the little ones do it effortlessly. Just pay attention to the back, that they do not get hurt by making too sudden movements.
Seated Forward Fold