“Yoga is the artwork of awareness on the canvas of body, mind, and soul.”
~Amit ray, “yoga and vipassana”
Once upon a time, there was a yogi in ancient India with an ample amount of time, who used to sit under a tree and practice meditation by introspecting himself from an outer perspective. As he looked within himself he found a myriad of thoughts and emotions, like anyone else. The yogi understood that his consciousness is nothing but random thoughts and he doesn’t have to give in to every thought in his brain, he needs to stop feeding into every thought and as a result, he was not controlled by his mind anymore, and one who is not controlled by their thoughts is a powerful being. So, he became powerful.
The Science Behind Yoga
Scientists during the early 2000s conducted several studies to find out whether yoga and meditation actually helped transform the wiring of the brain. What they found out was shocking!
- .Yoga has the power to strengthen neuronal connections and therefore improve cognitive skills such as memory and learning.
- The Amygdala also known as the fear center of the brain is responsible for processing fear and anxiety and reduces in size with meditation, which in turn helps the person be more mindful.
- The Grey Matter in the brain increases in volume which leads to increased sense perception
- A study revealed that there was less shrinkage of the Hippocampus (region of the brain linked with learning and memory) with age in people who practiced yoga and meditation as compared to non-practitioners.
The Advantages of Yoga for Kids
In a world increasingly focused on screens and constant stimulation, yoga offers a unique gift for children. Yoga needs to be incorporated into the daily routine of a child in order to help them be more aware of themselves and develop a strong mindset growing up. Yoga and meditation can help children understand how their brains function and how the thoughts that they have don’t define who they are.
Practicing yoga from an early age can have numerous mental and physical health benefits such as:
- Helps boost focus: Yoga is not only about practicing different poses, it involves paying attention to detail, holding the poses for some time, and controlling one’s breath. Breathing voluntarily helps improve focus and concentration. Yoga for kids helps them find inner peace and focus.
- Calms the mind: Children are restless growing up, they tend to jump from one activity to another. Practicing yoga every day not only helps ease the mind but also helps them be calm. If it’s done every day it also helps strengthen the wiring in the brain and helps in long-term potentiation. People who practice yoga every day tend to be calmer and less anxious than non-practitioners.
- Social and Emotional Learning: Many yoga classes for children incorporate cooperative poses and partner activities. This encourages teamwork, communication, and empathy. Children learn to support one another and celebrate each other’s successes. Yoga for kids can improve their emotional well-being and reduce anxiety.
- Improving strength and flexibility through yoga for kids: Yoga requires children to practice different positions. Regular stretching stimulates the cells to differentiate into muscle tissue which in turn generates elastic collagen. This helps the children be more flexible and later on in life they would have to deal with chronic pain less. It improves pain tolerance when practiced regularly.
- Improves breathing: Yoga for kids enhances breathing. Children with breathing problems such as asthma or bronchitis can benefit from yoga. Yoga postures, particularly those that expand the chest cavity, can enhance lung elasticity. This allows for deeper and more efficient breathing, maximizing oxygen intake and removal of carbon dioxide.
- Enhances circulation: Many yoga poses involve holding positions or flowing sequences that increase heart rate and blood flow throughout the body. It also increases the blood flow to the brain. This gentle form of exercise strengthens the heart muscle, improving its ability to pump blood efficiently. Yoga for kids is the perfect way to stay healthy mentally and physically.
- Boosting Self-Esteem: Yoga for kids is a practice, not a competition. It isn’t performed to achieve enlightenment there’s no pressure to be perfect, but rather to celebrate progress and individual achievements. This fosters a sense of self-acceptance and builds confidence in children as they explore their capabilities.
A study shows that 12 Weeks of Kindergarten-Based Yoga Practice Increases Visual Attention and Visual-motor Precision and Decreases Behavior of Inattention and Hyperactivity in 5-year-old Children.
Just like lifting weights is exercise for the muscles, Yoga, and meditation function as exercises for the brain. The muscles of the brain strengthen when one practices yoga every day.
By introducing children to yoga early on, we equip them with valuable tools and a lifelong practice that can empower them to navigate the world with greater balance, focus, and inner peace.
Yoga for kids is more than just a fun activity, it’s a journey of self-discovery!
Teaching Mindfulness and Meditation at Cyboard
At our online school, we recognize the unique challenges faced by students in a virtual learning environment. Increased screen time and juggling classes can all contribute to stress and decreased focus. That’s why we’ve incorporated yoga and meditation practices into our curriculum – not just for physical benefits, but for a holistic approach to well-being.
Our yoga sessions are designed specifically for young learners. We use playful poses and engaging stories to introduce children to basic stretches and breathing exercises. It’s a fun break from screen time, allowing them to move their bodies, release pent-up energy, and improve their coordination.
If you want your child to have healthy habits from a young age like practicing meditation and mindfulness, enroll them in Cyboard now.
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