Yoga: A supportive practice for helping children to improve physical, mental, and emotional health during the pandemic of COVID-19



Children enjoy yoga! Teaching yoga to children can have positive outcomes in wellness, emotions, stress, concentration, memory, flexibility, and discipline, among others. During this challenging time of the coronavirus pandemic, yoga can benefit children’s well-being and mental stability. Practicing yoga with your children contributes to the development of essential skills to help them cope with challenges and situations that harm their physical, mental, and emotional health. This post includes some videos of yoga poses and practices that you can do with your children. Separate time to spend with your children reserving quality time with them. Find the appropriate time for relaxation and turn these practices into your daily routines and enjoy the benefits that yoga provides.

The necessity of yoga in the lives of children

The use of technology devices as a replacement for play and physical activity concerns many parents, caregivers, health, and early childhood professionals. Moreover, the same technology devices are used for learning in the new modalities of education due to the coronavirus pandemic. So, the amount of time of technology devices usage is doubled. This lack of physical activity, play, and mobility has been linked to health problems, including obesity and mental health issues, contributing to anxiety, stress, sleeping problems, and many other conditions that increase the possibilities of diseases in children and young people.

What experts say... 

Research had found that yoga can have great benefits in children while improving flexibility, weight loss, and mental wellness. The new norm in education (online, virtual, and distance learning) contributes to new challenges children may face which require highly developed self-regulation skills, such as mindfulness, resilience, and anger control. Findings in research have demonstrated that high levels of stress in children are related to high blood pressure, negative behaviors, and adiposity or body fat. These factors can lead to diseases like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease during childhood.

Among some solutions, yoga proposes an excellent opportunity to develop skills like mindfulness, resilience, and anger control for minimizing stress levels. Research has demonstrated that a variety of yoga techniques can result in positive results in the physiological and mental health of individuals. It suggests the increment of mind-body awareness, self-regulation, better behavior, and enhancement of physical, mental, and emotional health.

Studies pointed out that children who practice yoga present some benefits, including the reduction and management of stress and anxiety, well-being, positive behavior, satisfactory academic outcomes, improvement of breathing techniques, brain activity, and others. These results depend on the frequency, structure, and type of yoga intervention.

Yoga videos to help children

Specialists in the Division of Pain Medicine of Connecticut Children’s, which is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving access to health care for all children, have created a series of yoga videos, especially for children. It also includes some modifications to make it easier especially for beginners and for children who have physical conditions. Take a look!

Sun Salutation Yoga Flow 

Chair Yoga

Short Yoga Nidra Flow

Tense and Release Relaxation Yoga

Connect and Reflect Yoga Sequence

Easy Yoga Modifications

Yoga Modifications for People With Hypermobility



Although the benefits of yoga in children had been proven through research and studies, it is important to highlight that this and other practices must be consulted with a pediatrician for avoiding injuries or any other discomfort.

Practicing yoga with your children will not only benefit children, but parents, caregivers, and early childhood educators as well. The connection, relationship, and bond between you and the children deserve the try! ...And above the benefits explained… it’s fun!

References

7 Yoga Videos to Help Your Child Relax, Focus, and Move Through Stress. (2020, May 14). Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. https://www.connecticutchildrens.org/coronavirus/7-yoga-videos-to-help-children-relax-focus-and-move-through-stress/

Nanthakumar, C. (2018). The benefits of yoga in children. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 16(1), 14–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2017.12.008

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Diana A. Rivera is an Early Childhood Educator, with graduate studies in Educational Psychologist, and author of Be the voice for children. Diana believes and commits to the healthy development, growth, well-being, and learning of all children. The blog posts share ideas and knowledge about educational psychology, child and brain development, parenting, diversity, effective teaching practices, early childhood education, and care to support the empowerment of children and families.

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