Toddler Yoga

Yoga is not just a form of exercise; it is a way of life that teaches the connection of mind, body and breath. The lessons you teach a toddler will shape them for the rest of their lives. With that being said, yoga teaches toddlers about their bodies, minds, and breath.

As children grow older, they tend to be more stressed out, filled with anxiety, and sedentary. Even at such a young age, toddlers experience stress in settings such as day care as they often cry when they are dropped off by parents, when they receive less individualized attention, and in attempt to behave properly in a social setting.

Toddlers also live in a very stimulated environment due to technology and constant attention from adults. Yoga helps with concentration and focus by teaching children to channel their energy more effectively.

By teaching yoga to a toddler, parents can use this as bonding time while they practice yoga together. Also in the events that the toddler is very upset, parents can use yoga poses or breathing exercises to calm him or her down, making it a ritual that children will learn to do to cope with negative emotions.

Since yoga is an individualized practice it teaches toddlers to focus on their own abilities rather than competition, allowing any child to be able to practice. Research has shown that starting to practice yoga at such a young age will influence a pattern of a healthy lifestyle and reduces daily stress felt caused by everyday activities, such as social interactions.

To find out when Toddler Yoga 6 Week Series are offered at Green Locus Yoga, please visit our online schedule.

References

Eat Smart for a Great Start Newsletter. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/parents/food-and-fitness/sport-and-fitness/why-yoga-and-kids-go-together/

Galantino, M. (2008). Therapeutic Effects of Yoga for Children: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 20(1), 66-80.

Jalalat, Caitlin J., "Use of Yoga to Alleviate Stress in Toddler Group Care Programs" (2014). Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers. Paper 46.http://sophia.stkate.edu/maed/46

Wenig, M. (2003). Yogakids: Educating the whole child through yoga. New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang.