Like our students, each Bee Me Yoga class is unique. Classes are educational and fun, combining games, visualisations, poses and dedicated relaxation time. Yoga and meditation for kids is a valuable way of creating space for body and breath awareness, physical fitness and fun, without the pressures of competitive sport. Taking part in yoga on a regular basis can improve:
1. Flexibility - Yoga poses are designed to provide a whole-body stretch from head to toe. This can be a big advantage for children with neurological and physical disabilities who develop muscle tightness. But we find that working on flexibility is important for all children, as they spend much of their day seated at their desks in school, developing tight hamstrings, shoulders, and more!
2. Strength - If you’ve ever held a Chair Pose for more than a few seconds, you know that yoga requires a great deal of strength! The burning in your legs means that your muscles are working hard!
3. Body Awareness, Balance, and Coordination - Getting into (and out of) yoga poses requires a strong sense of where your body is in space and how your body parts are moving in relation to one another. Yoga poses also require complex combinations of movement to be performed in a smooth and fluent manner (coordination).
4. Attention and Behavioural Regulation - Yoga never ceases to amaze us with its ability to calm and relax even the most active and inattentive kids. Breathing techniques commonly used in yoga are the perfect tools for children who struggle with impulsive behaviour and inattention. Teaching calming breathing and visualization techniques can empower all children, letting them know they have the tools to use anytime and anywhere to calm their bodies and minds.
5. Cognitive Skills and Language Development - Yoga and other movement activities can help with direction-following and language processing. In order to follow along with a yoga sequence, kids have to be tuned into the teacher and listen to their instructions.
6. Social Skills - Doing yoga as a group only enhances the experience. Kids can feel one another’s energy, follow the example of others and learn to be leaders. Practicing yoga is great way to assist children develop their social skills.
