If you're a parent who is just beginning to discover the benefits of yoga, you may be wondering how kid's yoga can help your children.Kid's yoga offers many of the same health benefits as yoga classes that are designed for adults. For example:
Yoga helps improve strength and flexibility.
Yoga helps children understand more about anatomy and the importance of good physical health.
Yoga increases concentration, focus, and attention.
Kid's yoga increases self-esteem.
Yoga helps participants develop the tools to cope with the stress of everyday life.
The philosophy of yoga promotes an awareness of the importance of protecting the environment.
Additionally, yoga classes provide children who aren't interested in team sports with an opportunity to socialize with their peers.

Making Yoga Fun

While kid's yoga classes do use many of the same poses as programs designed for adult participants, there is an increased emphasis on having fun. For example, the instructor might encourage the children to meow during the Cat Pose or bark like a dog while performing the Downward Facing Dog. Some instructors also like to tell stories between poses or make up games for the children to play.

Kid's yoga programs often include a discussion on the ways that yoga can relate to a child's daily life. For example, toddlers might learn how yoga breathing exercises can help them calm down when they are angry at playmate. Preteens might learn how yoga can help them relax before a big test, while older teens might discuss how the skills learned in a yoga class can improve their performance in competitive athletics.

If you're interested in teaching your kids more about yoga, you can check out the resources available at your nearest yoga studio. Many of the larger studios will have programs available for children. If not, you may be able to get a class started by talking to some of the other local parents.

If you don't live near a yoga studio, you can check out the following instructional DVDs to learn more about practicing kid's yoga in the comfort of your own home.

Yoga to Go for Kids
Yoga Journal's Family Yoga
Yoga Kids Fun Collection
Yoga for Children with Special Needs

When taught by a qualified instructor, kids yoga can be a safe, drug-free way for kids with special needs to get additional help handling particular challenges. The physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of yoga have been proven to be helpful for children of all ages.

Yoga has been used in a therapeutic way for children who suffer from the following conditions:

Autism
Cerebral palsy
Developmental delays
Learning disabilities
Down syndrome
Attention Deficit Disorder
Problems with hearing or vision