Yoga and Meditation With Your Kids

One of my many New Year's resolutions (yes, I've jumped on the bandwagon full steam ahead), is to do 15 minutes of yoga and meditation in the mornings with my kids before school. I don't think it necessarily matters what time of day you choose to do it. I feel it's a nice way to begin the day, but it can also be a great way to end the day.

Yoga is very therapeutic to all children with all backgrounds (age, gender and special needs). There are so many reasons to add this practice into your daily routine.

A few of the many beneficial effects of yoga and meditation include:

1. Mind Relaxation and Self-Awareness 
-Concentration on breath and body increases total awareness. Learning how to focus energy and a busy mind into yoga posses or breathing techniques is relaxing, soothing, and calming. Learning these techniques allows your child/children to acquire another way of coping with stress and anxiety.   

2. Concentration and Confidence 
-Yoga and meditation can be difficult, especially when you're just starting. Encourage your kids and praise them for their efforts. You'll see that once they succeed in a yoga pose or a breathing technique, they'll become increasingly confident and eager to continue to grow in their practice. This is validation that with concentration and effort they can accomplish what they put their minds too. 

3. Balance, Flexibility and Strength
- Yoga tones and strengthens your muscles while stretching them and balancing your entire body all at the same time. Different poses engage your muscles with a focus on using core muscles first and foremost. I always tell my kids "belly button to the spine" which helps with them to visualize it.

To start, we've been doing 10 minutes of yoga (about 1-4 poses) and 5 minutes of deep breathing and meditation. I'm starting out with only 15 minutes a day because mornings are generally a busy time and changing daily routines can be tough. Eventually I hope to add more time. I'm trying to ease our way into something new and I feel as though starting out with only 15 minutes is a practical way to begin. 

So far the kids are loving it! Scarlett has complained about gravity once (maybe twice) and Troy always wants to do warrior pose. They both get the giggles when we do the breathing exercises and meditation, which I don't mind at all because they're doing it, enjoying themselves and they are trying (I can't really ask for much more). I'm confident that with time and practice they will be able to calm their minds more and more each day and learn to focus on their breath.

This should be an enjoyable and bonding experience with your kids, however, there are going to be restless and difficult days. Don't let those days discourage you. Love and patience is key!