Printed August 1, 2004
Q: Is yoga appropriate for children?
By Michael O'Shea
With the right modifications, yoga helps children "develop strong, limber bodies as well as foster imagination, increase attention span and cultivate self-esteem," says Marsha Wenig author or YogaKids. While adult yoga involves sustained poses combined with focused breathing, children are better off doing a variety of poses without holding them.
"Many people teach yoga to children as if they were mini-adults," says Wenig, "but their requirements are different - their physical bodies, growth reates and metabolism vary."
Most successful kids' programs alter the names of the poses and shed the spirituality in favor of reinforcing the min-body connection of yoga. The goals are to deveop balance, strength and an awareness of one's body.
Schools across the nation are making yoga a part of their phys-ed curriculum. "I don't stress getting into a pose as much as I stress students trying their best," says Georgina O"Farrill, a teacher in the Yoa Ed program at the Acclerates School in South Central L.A. The 50-minute classes emphasize forward bends, twisting movements, inversions and breathwork. "I see students use their yoga b reathing during tests when they are stressed or throughout the day when they get upset. It helps them relax and focus."
And the online article:
In his "Parade's Guide to Better Fitness" column in this week's issue, Michael O'Shea writes that children can benefit from doing yoga. Following is more on yoga's advantages:
“Yoga is the oldest self-health system,” explains Marsha Wenig, a member of the governing board for the United Council on Yoga, which is working with the President’s Council on Sports and Fitness to create national guidelines for yoga. “Children can learn to take a proactive stance in their own healthcare by recognizing when their bodies are in a state of discomfort and using yoga techniques to help restore themselves to a state of health and balance. Yoga helps children become more aware of their physical and emotional needs.”
A recent study of 405 students who took part in the yoga program at the Accelerated School in Los Angeles uncovered several positive effects of yoga. By the end of the school year, the yoga students reported a 20% increase in their self-esteem. Those who faithfully attended their yoga classes also had less disciplinary problems. When compared with kids from the rest of the school district, the fifth graders at the Accelerated School were 23.4% more fit and the seventh graders were 28.5% fitter. Better grades also were evident.
Michael o'Shea, Ph.D., is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine
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