At Full Circle Yoga KC, we believe yoga benefits all stages of life and we are committed to offering classes that support in the big transitions of life. In our current busy, on the go culture, yoga can be especially helpful for the growing child. Read on to learn the 5 benefits of yoga for kids in the elementary years.
5 Benefits of Yoga for the Growing Child
If you have ever practiced yoga, mindfulness, or a pause in the overwhelm of life, you know how grounding it can feel. You probably found it to be a reset and a way to clear the mental clutter. Kids also need an outlet to shake off the chaos of the day to come back into their body and mind so they too can feel the benefits of being grounded.
These are some of the benefits of yoga for elementary-aged children:
1. Helps focus and concentration
Studies show that yoga enhances cognitive functioning in children, especially executive functions like attention, memory, and self-control. Yoga teaches kids how to center their attention within their own growing body, which can improve performance in school. If you observe your child breath into their body and feel the rhythm of breath and movement within their body, you can watch the change almost immediately.
2. Reduces anxiety and stress
Unfortunately anxiety is becoming more common in elementary aged children. The growing child needs a safe and quiet space to practice tools that can reduce anxiety and stress. And when these tools are learned and practiced at a young age, they can apply them as they grow. Research shows that in our overstimulated society yoga can reduce anxiety.
3. Supports physical health and motor development
If you’ve ever taken yoga, you have probably experienced improved strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Those are all benefits to the growing child too! It promotes healthy body awareness and can help prevent injuries by teaching safe movement. Increasing flexibility can help reduce injuries. It’s amazing to me how many sports related injuries I’ve seen at my daughter’s school, and can’t help but wonder if yoga was offered on a regular basis if less injuries would occur which would be far less cheering from the sidelines.
4. Builds emotional intelligence and self-regulation
Through poses, stories, and breath, children learn to recognize and manage their emotions. Yoga gives them tools for handling frustration, anger, or sadness constructively. Research finds it also allows them to listen inward to bring emotional balance and feel emotions in their body to better release tension.
5. Encourages social connection and empathy
Yoga fosters a sense of belonging and community. There is something profoundly powerful to share movement, breath, and calm in a collective space. Often times yoga classes for kids offers activities that encourage cooperation rather than competition, and opportunities to seek understanding others to build empathy.
Kids Yoga in Kansas City
If you’d like for your growing child to experience the benefits of yoga, you’ve come to the right place. Join us at Full Circle Yoga KC where we specialize in family-centered yoga! Explore Full Circle Yoga KC’s class calendar to reserve a spot for your kiddo in an upcoming preschool yoga class!
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