Yoga for Kids: Building Self-Image, Part 2

There is plenty of competition to go around in this world. If you are a Yoga teacher, you should not encourage competition within a Kids Yoga class. This is not easily done. Each child wants praise, but this can be accomplished by making your Yoga class a nurturing event, where every child who participates, can feel a sense of self-worth.

This atmosphere, which is designed by the Yoga instructor, will develop a child's character "from the ground up." Each child is unique and special in his or her own way. Children have to be taught to appreciate themselves as they are. Self-worth cannot be calculated by the skill of one single activity, and Yoga is the sum of many different activities, within a given class.

When I first started teaching Yoga to children, I began to integrate Vinyasa Yoga into the warm-ups of our children's martial arts classes; some parents wondered why? Soon, some of the children, who had Attention Deficit Disorder, and other attention span problems, became more focused for the rest of the class. Still, other children, who regularly practiced Vinyasa Yoga warm-ups, started to develop a more pronounced muscular appearance. This may have been due to many factors, such as the cross training involved in practicing Vinyasa Yoga and martial arts, on a regular basis - while many other children, who attended these integrated classes, went home, did their homework, and slept better.

Eventually, we established a pure Kids Yoga class, and it was scheduled between two children's martial arts classes. The children were enthusiastic and the parents were, and still are, very supportive. In the above-mentioned examples, different children gained different benefits from learning Yoga.

As children continue to learn Yoga, they should also be taught to refrain from comparing themselves to other children in the Yoga class. This is not easy for a Yoga teacher to do, but can be accomplished by teaching children to accept themselves as they are, and that trying their best is really good enough.

Regular attendance to Kids Yoga classes is the key to getting rid of emotional baggage. Children must be taught to appreciate themselves in a positive way, and the study of Yoga can give any child self-empowerment. When children gather and participate in Yoga instruction on a steady basis, they also make new friends. The parents who send their children to study Yoga sincerely care.

Therefore, any child who learns Yoga is surrounded by children of "like-minded" parents. Yoga training for children is, in essence, a controlled atmosphere - even though the Yoga class setting is relaxed.

© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Best Strength Building Yoga Postures

It is no secret that maintaining muscle strength is an essential component of building and retaining excellent health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults practice muscle-strengthening activity two days a week, and one of their preferred methods of strength training is Yoga.

By both holding and flowing through poses, Hatha, Ashtanga, Power, and Vinyasa Yoga build strength in virtually all areas of the body. A consistent Yoga practice can build both strength and flexibility in muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. Listed below are some of the top strength-building Yoga poses.

Students often recognize Four-Limbed Staff Pose, also known as "Chaturanga," as an intense challenge for the triceps, chest, and shoulders. The practitioner begins in plank pose, and then lowers him or herself halfway to the floor by bending the elbows until the upper arms are parallel to the torso. The abdominal and chest muscles work to secure the pose, as do the quadriceps. Since the wrists are supporting much of the weight, they too get stronger.

Utkatasana: Fierce Pose (also known as Chair Pose) is a standing posture in which the practitioner looks as if he or she is sitting in an imaginary chair. This creates an enormous challenge to the thighs and ankles. In addition, the arms and shoulders build strength as the student raises and holds them pointed toward the ceiling. Since Fierce Pose is a mild back-bending pose, the muscles along the spine also work to maintain the posture.

Virabhadrasana III: Warrior Three (also known as Stick Pose) is a standing balancing posture in which the non-balancing leg and torso are parallel to the floor. In the full version, the student raises his or her arms until they are next to the ears with fingers pointed forward. Holding this pose requires activation of the ankles, legs and arms. Additionally, the abdominal and back muscles tone as they labor to hold the posture steady.

Bakasana: Crow Pose and other arm balancing postures use the body's weight to stimulate the arms, shoulders and chest. They are also outstanding for toning the abdominal muscles, as the core muscles must contract to keep the body lifted.

Salabhasana: Locust pose is a tremendous back strengthener. In it, the practitioner lies prone on the ground and lifts the head, chest, arms and legs off the floor. The spine, buttocks, arms and legs all engage to maintain the posture.

In addition to building muscle strength, Yoga also cultivates mental and emotional strength that supports the ability to concentrate and remain present.

c Copyright 2012 - Aura Wellness Center - Publications Division

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/