Yoga is a wonderful way for children to develop body awareness, self-control, flexibility, coordination, and concentration. This year, our students at various levels have been incorporating yoga into their daily lives at school.

Yoga also helps manage stress. Poses like the warrior pose and tree pose help instill calm, confidence, and balance; breathing exercises, like the three-part breath, help children stay centered and calm, even in difficult situations.

Children may focus on belly breathing and listen to music or nature sounds and practice visualization of peaceful or happy experiences. Guided visualization with a calming theme is used sometimes to help children access their own inner peace and encourage a feeling of oneness with nature. Sometimes partner poses are used to develop trust, develop team skills, and foster bonding.

Input from the children may be encouraged. In some classes, for example, children may show a pose they have created and name it. Ideas and questions are addressed to allow learning to take place.