Modern children are very inactive: they spend almost all the time, sitting at a desk in the school, a computer desk or in front of the TV. Parents go to different tricks to get their offsprings to walk or play outdoor games. Some write down a child in the sports section. Since yoga is very popular now, many moms and dads are wondering if it can be done in childhood. Is she allowed toddlers?
Yoga is not so much a way of maintaining the form as a spiritual practice aimed at finding harmony and health. Mostly it is addressed to adults. But if the child shows a desire to do it, why not? Age when doing yoga for children does not matter. There is a direction of baby yoga: the so-called complex of exercises for babies. However, it can only be done under the supervision of a specialist. In some fitness centers there are groups of children's yoga, in which children are recruited from 2 to 4 years. In the country where this philosophical practice originated - India - children begin to practice yoga from 6-7 years. It is this age that is considered optimal. In general, it is necessary to observe the rule: the complexity of the exercises should correspond to the age of the child.
Children's yoga at home
Many parents prefer to entrust their favorite child to a specialist in yoga. If desired, you can do it together with the baby at home. Get a special children's mat for yoga. It has a non-slip surface and perfectly absorbs sweat. Suitable is the length of the mat, in which the child's arms and legs do not protrude more than 10 cm in the reclining position.
The clothes of a toddler for classes should be light, free, non-binding movements, made from natural "breathing" materials. Pick up music for children's yoga. The best tunes are relaxing melodies.
When engaging with a child, follow several recommendations:
- Do yoga at least 1.5-2 hours after eating.
- The first weeks of training last about 10 minutes, and gradually their duration increases. Exercises of children under 6-7 years old are performed within 10-15 minutes, and schoolchildren - 20 minutes.
- Breathing is carried out through the nose and does not linger.
- Yoga should not be practiced with ARVI.
- Exercises can be performed at any time of the day, except for a few hours before bedtime.
Hatha Yoga for Children
Classes for children are built on the basis of hatha yoga - one of the directions of yoga. The asanas, that is, the positions of the body, are quite simple and powerful for the baby. Activities include not only taking certain poses, but also breathing practice and relaxation. Do not force the baby to do, if he has no desire. Therefore, it is better to carry out exercises in a game form, this will interest young yoga. So, for example, showing the performance of a particular asana, tell a fairy tale story.
You can start yoga classes for children with the exercises presented below:
- The tree . Stand upright, keeping your feet together. Bending the right leg in the knee, take her aside and touch the sole to the knee of the left leg and fix the position. Squeeze your hands with your hands in front of your chest and lift up over your head.
- Dog head down . Lay on the floor so that it touches the palms and knees. Straighten your knees, pressing the palms of your hands, and stretch your heels to the floor. If desired, the child can pull one leg up.
- Affectionate and angry kitty . Stand on your knees, resting your palms on the floor. Perform a deflection of the back, lowering the lower back and lifting your head up ("affectionate kitty"). And then perform a back bend and lower your head ("angry kitty").
| | |
Such a fairly simple yoga for children is able to develop the child's flexibility, strength, strengthen the spine and improve posture, teach to control your body.