Yoga for kids starting out: years

Asanas develop the baby, he is more attentive to his body. Studies have shown that static postures affect the child’s cognitive functions, improve immunity, strengthen ligaments, and make the spine flexible. In addition to this exercise:

• familiarize with the capabilities of the body;
• form the right attitude to their health;
• create a beautiful posture;
• develop body flexibility;
• strengthen muscles;
• improve plastic movement of the body;
• develop imagination.

Group games unite toddlers and improve children’s communication skills.

Small children are eager to play in their lessons. Static poses should be combined with sound design. Babies like to meow in cat pose, and roar in lion pose. Toddlers can keep their attention on one object for no more than 8 minutes. They do not perceive tasks well by ear, but they copy body positions well. Lessons interesting to children consist of the following parts:

• Directly asanas: “mountain”, “triangle”, “camel”, “cat”, “plow”, etc. At this age, it is important not so much to observe the accuracy of postures, but to develop physical activity.
• Combining breathing with exercise. Instructions should be short and straightforward: “lift your arms, breathe in.”
• The alternation of silence and sounds: “Let’s listen to the sound of the wind, and now let’s roar like a lion.”
• Singing soothing sounds “aum” and “owa”.
• Counting out loud during static poses, which helps babies to keep balance.
• Completion of each position with “shavasana” – a pose of complete relaxation. Children lie with their eyes closed, and the presenter tells them that they are on a sandy beach or swimming in the sea.
• Drawing pictures that children then exchange or bring to their parents.

Children are ready to listen to fairy tales and funny stories at such lessons, start games or imitate the sounds of animals. Turn on their imagination, let them come up with asanas and perform them.