{"id":62646,"date":"2018-12-12T15:25:06","date_gmt":"2018-12-12T20:25:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wanderlust.com\/?p=62646"},"modified":"2018-12-17T10:48:30","modified_gmt":"2018-12-17T15:48:30","slug":"benefits-family-yoga-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderlust.com\/fr\/journal\/benefits-family-yoga-class\/","title":{"rendered":"Families That Flow Together Grow Together"},"content":{"rendered":"

If the purpose of yoga is to become awake in the present moment, then children are inherently yogis in training. With the correct encouragement and focus they are easily fully engaged, no matter their age. We can harness their intrinsic desire to move and curious imaginations to use yoga\u00a0postures as an opportunity for a fun game\u00a0of \u201cmake believe,\u201d and also to move in ways that are beneficial for the body and mind. Yoga can help alleviate growing pains, build self-trust, self-awareness, ability to focus, balancing skills, confidence, and release anxiety, so that we can support the next generation<\/a> to be holistically balanced adults.<\/p>\n

Attending adult yoga classes with qualified teachers, in addition to getting\u00a0a babysitter, can be financially inaccessible for many families. Yoga classes for the whole family, however, offer the opportunity for children and parents alike to relax, strengthen, have fun, and get fit together, and can be done at home or a local studio. Parents who are new to yoga have the powerful opportunity to model learning and play. Committing to five minutes of yoga with your family each day will help you feel better in your body and teach your child to prioritize fitness. The positive results of yoga<\/a> can be exponential when families practice together.<\/p>\n

Begin with the breath.<\/h3>\n

Yoga is the union of the breath with movement, so beginning with a mindful breathing<\/a> technique is the perfect place to start and can help calm the nervous system when you get upset, or are getting ready for bed.<\/p>\n

Make believe you have a big straw, slurp up some air through the imaginary straw, then blow it out slowly. Repeat three times, then let your hands rest over your own heart. Close your eyes and notice how you feel.<\/p>\n

Yoga is about moving the body, but it is just as much\u00a0about positive, compassionate thinking. Repeat this phrase, call-and-response-style, with your child: \u201cMay all beings everywhere be happy and peaceful. May I be happy and peaceful.\u201d Ask your child what they think this phrase means to him or her.<\/p>\n

Put it into practice.<\/h3>\n

These simple movements can be practiced one at a time, or strung together with breath or sound.<\/p>\n

Cat-Cow Stretch<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start on hands and knees. Let your belly drop down into Cow. Inhale, then round your spine towards the sky into Cat. Exhale, arch back into Cow. Inhale. Then send your hips back to your heels towards Child\u2019s Pose, aka Little Mouse. Exhale, inhale, then slither forward onto your belly and arch up into a Snake. Exhale, inhale. Place your hands underneath your shoulders and lift your hips to the sky for Downward Dog. Let your dog wiggle. Exhale, inhale.<\/p>\n

Repeat this sequence 2\u20133 times and allow younger children to watch. Make the animal sounds to encourage their sense of play.<\/em><\/p>\n