As parents we don’t often think about the stress and pressure our children go through in their day to day life. What do they have to be stressed about right? They don’t have to work, or cook after a long day of work, or pay bills and parent. We tend to think they have it so easy, and often times I have caught myself saying I wish I was still a kid. Do you truly remember being a kid? Do you really remember what it was like? Our children live in a fast paced world of busy adults(parents), school pressures, incessant lessons, video games, malls, and competitive sports. We usually don't think of these influences as stressful for our kids, but often they are. Like.....don’t you remember your good ol childhood school days? Everything felt like a competition and popularity contest. Either you were cool or you were not. The bustling pace of our children's lives can have a profound effect on their innate joy—and usually not for the better. I have found that yoga can help counter these pressures. It can reduce your child's anxiety and stress and promote a sense of calmness. When children learn techniques for self-health, relaxation, and inner fulfillment, they can navigate life's challenges with a little more ease. Yoga can encourage self-esteem and body awareness with a physical activity that's noncompetitive. Yoga is an option for children who shy away from physical activity or group activities for fear of failure or being picked last, and it helps athletic children excel in other physical activities and sports. Fostering cooperation and compassion—instead of opposition—is a great gift to give our children. "A child's yoga practice is a rare opportunity to experience play and focus without worrying about being wrong." -Shana Meyerson As a parent, once I have seen how yoga has strengthened my own body and calmed my mind, I naturally wanted to bestow these skills and techniques upon my own children, to help them stay healthy, cope with stress, and cultivate inner strength. One way for parents to introduce yoga to their child(ren) is through a regular kids’ yoga class, or through your own practice. My children love using my body as a playground as I practice asanas. The best way in my opinion is to let them watch me practice, observe, and join in as the mood fits them. I do not ever require them to practice but I do encourage them to try, and eventually create a sanctuary that’s sustainable over time. One of the simplest most powerful practices you can teach your children is breath awareness. This is something I have taught my children to do since they could follow directions and copy what I do. Diaphragmatic breathing, the relaxed, deep breathing that activates the diaphragm muscle, is the prerequisite for the subtle practices of the yoga tradition. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which induces a state of calm, improves focus, and reduces anxiety. I teach my kids to breathe in through their nose and out through their mouth, and be still, while applying light pressure onto their shoulders. This almost instantly calms them down, and we can talk about why they’re upset. Make the time to do research and study yoga practice if this interests you, and or invest in classes. The most effective way to help your children learn is by incorporating yoga in your home life and making it a lifestyle. What do you do with your children to help them cope with Life stressors and anxiety?
With Love and a Cherry on Top, Cheeradee
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Meet Cherry! Your favorite creative and pastry chef! Here you will find tips & tricks, crafts, sweets, recipes, DIY projects and sooo much more!
Follow me on Instagram by clicking the icon above.
Archives
January 2020
Categories |