Yoga is a popular holistic activity that has shown immense benefits for individuals in recovery. Even though there are many different forms of yoga, hatha yoga is the most common type because it’s accessible to the greatest number of people — including kids.
For busy parents who enjoy practicing yoga, why not include your child in the workout? Including your child in your yoga workout can be a lot of fun. You and your child will form a special bond while doing yoga as a team, and your child will enjoy improved concentration and focus, a boost in confidence and better posture.
Benefits of yoga
Yoga is a multifaceted activity that involves stretching, intentional movements and poses, mindfulness and focused breathwork. Since yoga lowers the stress hormones cortisol, norepinephrine and adrenaline, you’ll feel more relaxed and calm after a session.
Yoga is also a strenuous workout that offers a wide range of physical benefits. Practicing yoga can increase flexibility, agility, strength, improve balance, and relieve physical pain.
Yoga also helps strengthen the connection between mind-body-spirit:
- Mind: The mind influences our mood state and overall sense of well-being. When we struggle with mental health issues like anxiety or depression, it can affect our overall wellness
- Body: Restoring health requires proper nutrition and regular exercise to replenish the body in recovery. Establishing healthy lifestyle routines is key to providing the building blocks back to health and wellness.
- Spirit: The spiritual aspect of our lives is a very personal and unique journey. There are many possible avenues to reach a deeper spiritual connection with your Higher Power. Yoga can provide a sense of peace and clarity of mind that helps you achieve spiritual transformation in recovery.
All of the benefits of yoga also translate to your child. Your kids will acquire excellent coping skills through yoga, along with improved concentration and memory, which translates to better academic performance. Continue reading to learn about child-friendly yoga poses.
Yoga poses for children
When you decide to include your child in your yoga sessions, be sure to adjust your workout accordingly. You’ll want to encourage them to participate, so start with simple poses.
Here are some yoga poses that can be great for kids:
Child’s pose: Kneel on the mat, sink back into it and slowly stretch your arms out directly in front of you, palms flat on the mat, with your head facing down.
Downward dog pose: Start on your hands and knees on the mat. Stretch your legs out straight while pushing your tailbone up, creating an upside-down V-shape. Direct the eyes at your toes.
Tree pose: Stand on one leg while also lifting and bending your other leg, and placing the sole of your foot on your inner calf (not the knee). Raise both arms straight up over your head and join palms together.
Warrior pose: From a standing position, move your right leg forward while bending at the knee. Simultaneously, lift your right arm straight out in front of you and your left arm straight behind you.
Happy baby pose: Lie on your back, bend the knees and draw your legs up so the knees are on either side of your waist. Grab the soles of your feet with each hand and gently stretch the legs slightly apart at the hip.
Practicing these simple yoga poses with your children is a family-friendly activity that can be both fun and productive.
Ashley Addiction Treatment, formerly Father Martin’s Ashley, is a nationally recognized nonprofit leader in integrated, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders. Our programs are accredited by The Joint Commission, and result in frequent publications of ongoing research into effective treatment methodologies. We offer holistic care that encompasses the mind, body and spirit through inpatient and outpatient treatment, provide drug detox, relapse prevention plans, family wellness programs and a variety of other services tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Our driving principle — “everything for recovery” — reinforces our mission to transform and save lives through the science of medicine, the art of therapy and the compassion of spirituality, and is complemented by our philosophy of healing with respect and dignity. For information about our comprehensive programs, please call (866) 313-6307.
