Yoga Teacher Training Forum

There are books like "Creative Yoga for Children," and Yoga Kids has some books, but toddlers is a subject that could use some extra information. The big question is: "Is Yoga for Toddlers Safe?" In the 21^st century people are living a fast paced life, unable to take out time for their own relaxation and nourishment which often lead to anxiety, panic attacks, and depression along with emotional and mental instability. Not only adults but children too are targeted by the pace of life their family lead. Adults find ways to get rid of their anxiety, however a child cannot find a way to do so. They are unable to let out their frustration like adults, this stress and filled up anxiousness takes away the fun of being a child/toddler. The only way for toddlers/ children to let out their aggravation is Yoga.

Yoga has proven to be a calming force and every human being requires a calm and quiet environment to relax their selves so toddlers need a quiet place as well to be free and to positively channelized energies present in them.

We come across Children having strange behavioral patterns; very few parents take notice of that but the extremity in a child’s behavior always springs up from the tension in the house. If toddlers see their parent or close blood relations fighting all the time or not talking to each other they may find a way to let out uneasiness which they can’t put in words. The only way for them to let it out is by their action that is why if a child is showing extreme behavioral patterns then he /she may be trying to convey something. The best way to deal with these types of behavioral pattern is yoga. It is the safest and the healthiest medicine to keep the balance in one’s physical and emotional stability.

There are different poses that are recommended for children which are safe and easily practiced like sun salutation sequence, relaxing, balancing and seated postures especially partner pose, this pose not only helps in improving the child’s health but is also the best way for them to interact with other people. If you have enrolled your toddler in a yoga class then this pose can actually help them in making new friends and it also enhances their ability to trust others and support. However it may be very hard for a teacher to make them do a pose he/she has to strategically plan it out and mix it with some sort of a game or incorporate it in their play time. Some toddlers tend to be hyperactive which not only annoys their parent and make them run after child all day long but it can also be dangerous. If these hyperactive tendencies are let out in a wrong way can be harmful for a child. Yoga helps a great deal in channeling these tendencies to move in a positive manner without causing harm to anyone around.

To make yoga more interesting for toddlers, there are fun looking products out there in the market to increase their interest for example a plain blue yoga mat may not be as enticing to a kid as a tom and jerry, Scooby doo yoga mat. A child may hesitate to work with a plain color ball but they will love to play around with a Sylvester or bugs bunny ball. These little nuances help in increasing the focus and interest making yoga fun and safe for kids.