getting fit with your kids
Yoga as a form of non-aerobic exercise has long since outgrown the designation of “trend.”
It’s estimated that over 10 million Americans practice the poses, which incorporate breathing, flexibility, strength and balance.
And it’s not just for adults.
In fact Yoga is a safe and fun exercise for kids as well.
Lynne Begier, owner and founder of the Yoga studios Back Bay Yoga and Soul Yoga in Boston, MA recommends and explains the following five poses kids can do. Adults don't hang back--these are moves you and your kids can do together.
Begier points out that Yoga is not only good for the body but the mind as well--which can really help kids relax and focus.
1: Cat/Cow pose: This is a type of ‘warmup’ pose for the whole spinal column. Kids love it because it’s fun, easy and effective.
Related: Yoga: 7 Ways to Practice for Less
2: Downward dog: One of the most widely recognized poses, kids at any age can learn this. One of the benefits of this particular movement is that it is considered a calming, quieting pose. This is perfect pose for any time of the day, a nice full-body stretch.
3: Child’s pose: This one seems pretty self-explanatory. A good one to balance kids out. This is a grounding, quieting pose placing the head down below the heart. It’s great for kids because it quiets them down while still keeping them moving.
4: Crow pose: Great for kids because they tend to be more flexible than adults and are definitely lighter. The pose is a great concentration builder. Not only will it test their ability to execute the movement but also challenges them to hold the pose.
Related: 3 Ways to Fuel Your Kids for Sports
5: Bridge pose: Great for strengthening the leg muscles, knee joints and because it’s a backbend it increases flexibility and builds endurance. It’s also a nice stretch for shoulders.
Tara Weng is a parenting and health contributor for GalTime. She is also a media consultant with a focus on medical and consumer topics. Her professional experience includes a stint as a medical/features producer at the NBC affiliate in Boston, MA and a media relations position at a top teaching hospital in Boston. Tara has also done public relations consulting work and has written for several online and print media outlets. She is a wife and a mother to two children (who are fantastic) and an enthusiastic New England sports fan.
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