Yoga for All
Physically fit children do better in school, so it’s no surprise that yoga programs in preschools are on the rise. Though non-competitive, yoga is a physical workout that challenges kids to do their personal best.
Yoga helps improve concentration, reduces stress, builds confidence, and enhances balance, strength, flexibility and coordination. It is also fun, low-impact exercise. Here are some yoga poses for families to do together:
- Mountain Pose. Stand with feet together, arms at sides. Take a deep breath and raise arms overhead, palms facing toward each other, like a mountain reach towards the sky. Hold your breath for the count of 3.
- Downward-Facing Dog. Start with hands and knees on the floor, with a flat back. Inhale. Exhale, straighten knees and lift hips to the sky. (You will form an upside-down “V” shape.) Hold position and let your head drop, inhaling and exhaling slowly for three breaths. To release, drop to your knees while exhaling.
- Tree Pose. With arms at sides, stand on your left leg and place the sole of right foot on your left ankle or calf. Once balanced on one foot, bring hands in front of you, palms together. Inhale and exhale, balancing. Lower your leg as you exhale, then repeat on the other side.
- Cat-Cow. Begin with hands and knees on the floor, with a flat back. Inhale. Round your spine toward the ceiling, like a Halloween cat. Exhale and arch your back, letting your belly relax to resemble a cow. Shift between Cat and Cow poses five times.
