It was only through meditation, guided imagery and yoga that Luka began to make gradual changes.
He learned that he didn't have to be perfect, and that he could accept things the way they were and be OK with it, says Continisio, owner of Kids Butterfly Yoga in Montreal. Luka's frustration and tantrums also waned.
Continisio isn't the only parent singing the praises of the calming power of yoga. A recent literature review on the therapeutic effects of yoga for children, published in the journal Pediatric Physical Therapy, attests to a number of benefits. One study described yoga as a mind-body therapy able to reduce the "physical and mental tension" created by stress. Another report showed that yoga improves kids' focus, concentration and memory, while a study of kids in group homes suggested that yoga helped improve their appetites, sleep and overall well-being.
It's no surprise, then, that many elementary schools, after-school programs, camps, day-care centres and formerly adult-only yoga studios are now embracing yoga as a way to calm down kids and teens, and to reduce stress and, in some cases, anxiety – which is the most common mental health problem among kids.
Mind and body benefits of yoga for kids
What makes yoga so effective for kids who suffer from stress and anxiety is that its tension-busting techniques go beyond the physical. "Yoga is awareness," says Dr. Swami Shankardev Saraswati, an established yoga teacher in Australia.
Focusing on physical postures (asanas), breathing (pranayama) and the repetition of mantras (such as "Om namah shivaya," meaning "I bow to my true inner self") can improve kids' and teens' memory and concentration.
But what about helping children feel more confident and have better self-esteem? "You manage that by having a strong mind," says Saraswati, speaking not only as a yoga teacher, but also as a mind-body therapist and medical doctor. "Yoga alone is not enough," he says, adding that it is part of a lifestyle of connection, or "the yoga of relationships."
Page 1 of 3 – Discover how kids' yoga classes differ from adult classes on page 2.
