Do yoga for Strength and Stamina this International Yoga Day

On this International Yoga Day know  the  benefits that yoga has on one’s body and mind and impart it to our children for overall health and wellness. Yoga is best started off as young as possible so as to stay fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. That is why, it is essential to start early on.
 

Yoga has immense benefits for kids :

• it increases strength, stamina and flexibility of body
• It improves concentration, memory and self confidence
• Structured breathing patterns boost immunity and protect from respiratory problems
• Yoga removes body toxins through sweat
• It improves blood circulation
• Yoga increases positive energy and reduces anxiety and stress
• All of the above improve health, self-esteem, academic performance and classroom behaviour.
• Yoga includes Pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation and deep relaxation which improves the learning abilities of school children. They develop concentration, memory and calmfulness. And self-assured children learn better. They are able to manage their daily challenges more successfully.
• Yoga asanas strengthen muscles as they are stretched. While doing yoga we use our own body weight, which helps develop strong, lean muscles all over. This includes arms, core, legs and back.

Therefore yoga is said to have holistic benefits for the body and mind.

Some simple yoga asanas to increase strength and stamina in small children are as below  :

1. Upward Facing Dog Pose - This asana strengthens the spine and opens and stretches the chest. It decreases stress levels and helps relieve symptoms of asthma.

2. Downward Facing Dog Pose or Adho Mukha Svanasana - This asana increases oxygen levels in the body and helps gain stability. When done properly I.e. with heels placed on the ground, shoulders relaxed and elbows pointed outwards this asana improves concentration.

3. Tree pose or Vrikshasana - Children have extremely active minds and most find it difficult to quieten their mind and focus. This asana helps to silence the mind and improve concentration. It also improves balance, strengthens the thighs, calves and ankles and stretches the legs.

4. Mountain pose or Tadasana - This is a simple yet powerful asana which helps to correct the posture and strengthen the body.

5. Child pose or Balasana - This asana is extremely relaxing for the body and mind.

6. Corpse pose or Savasana - This asana calms the mind and body and relieves headaches, fatigue, stress, insomnia and mild depression too. Through Savasana children can be guided to increase their visualising powers, for example, making them visualise a healthy body, their favourite holiday destination etc.

All these are simple asanas which can be done at home as well under proper guidance. Children constantly need role models and examples. Its a great idea for parents to enjoy and bond with them over yoga. Instead of subjecting them to routine exercises, yoga can be made fun for them by designing some games around it. Experts say that spending as little as 20 minutes daily doing yoga will keep the little busy-bodies healthy, happy and more productive.