Yoga for Kids: Poses That Improve Focus and Calm

Hello, dear parents and guardians!

We are so glad to speak to you today. Being old-time yoga students and teachers, the magic of yoga unfolding to us is one of the things that gives us the greatest happiness, not only in adults but also in our wonderful little human beings! Now we are going to dive into a subject that we believe is close to the hearts of so many of you, and that is yoga for children, more precisely, the wonderful poses that could indeed help to focus and calm down our children.

Our children are constantly overwhelmed with information, screens, and unending things in a world that can at times seem like it is going at light speed. It is not surprising that at times, their small heads may not be able to relax, concentrate, and find that inner peace. But guess what? Yoga provides a wonderful, fun, and useful toolkit to make them go through such challenges.

We often hear from parents at Maa Shakti Yog Bali who recall that our parents mentioned that their child, who was habitually hopping along the sides of the walls, would change in a matter of a few minutes of such animal yoga. It is these stories that actually make us feel inspired and stand by the force of the introduction of these practices at an early age. Therefore, we will discuss some of the wonderful kid-friendly yoga poses that can really change the concentration and zen-finding capabilities of the given kids.

Why Yoga for Kids? The Amazing Benefits!

It will not take long before we dive into the poses, so we should briefly discuss the usefulness of kids yoga. Not only flexibility (although this is an advantage). Yoga practice by regular children can:

• Improve Focus and Concentration: Poses can be very balanced and mindful, which directly reflects in better attentiveness.
• Increase Self-regulation: Children can learn to relate to their breath and body to learn how to manage their emotions.
• Minimize Stress and Anxiety: Yoga has the power to relax even the smallest of people, making them feel safe and calm.
• Develop Body Awareness: It is important to learn how your body moves and feels so as to develop both physically and emotionally.
• Develop Strength and Flexibility: Physical advantages are always welcome, of course!
• Promote Imagination and Creativity: It is possible to give many poses names of animals or objects that would exercise imagination.

Are you also willing to introduce some consciousness into your house? It is time to take a look at some amazing yoga poses among children that are ideal to enhance focus and peacefulness.

Our Best Yoga Pose for Concentrated and Relaxed Kids.

The following are some of my best poses, which are easy, involving, and very effective in enhancing concentration and calmness among children. It is important to remember that this is the trick: make it fun and make them explore!

1. Mountain Pose (Tadasana): The Pure Seat.

Also Read: Moon Salutations vs. Sun Salutations: Differences Explained

Suppose there was a great high mountain that had deep roots into the ground. And that is what our little yogis are supposed to be!

• Instructions: Stand erectly with feet as wide as hips and arms at the sides. Ask them to stomp their feet in the earth, reach with their backs, and pretend that they are mountain-like and firm. They even have the opportunity to close their eyes softly in case they feel like it.
• Why it is useful in focus: This is a very grounding pose, which appears very simple. It makes them experience their attachment to the earth and forms a feeling of stability, which is crucial in calming down a hectic mind. It is an excellent yoga pose to focus on.

2. Tree Pose (Vrksasana) Balancing With the Brain.

Who does not enjoy dressing up and playing a beautiful tree in the wind? The reason why Tree Pose is so popular!

• How to do it: Starting with Mountain Pose, move the weight to one foot. Keep the other foot on the ankle, calf, or inner thigh (without using the knee). Hands may be brought to the heart center, or they may be extended to form their branches till the sky.
• Why it is good to concentrate: Standing on one foot needs a lot of concentration and stillness. It is an awesome method of training the brain to be focused and not distracted. It is one of the finest yoga positions for attention span.

3. Cat-Cow Pose (marjari asana bitilasana)—Flowing into Calm.

Meow! Moo! It is a beautiful, soft flow, which joins motion to the breath.

• How to do it: Beg on hands and knees. Arching, breath in, raise back, raise head and tailbone (Cow). Round the spine, chin, and tailbone tuck (Cat). Help them to be slow and conscious of their breathing.
• Why it assists in concentration: Cat-Cow is practiced in time with breath, and this practice helps children to associate their internal rhythm with the physical movement, enhancing mindfulness and an overall feeling of tranquility. It is a great mindful childhood movement.

4. Child Pose (Balasana): The Ultimate Cozy Retreat.

Also Read: Yoga: A Journey Across Continents and Centuries 

This is a kind of cozy, comfortable embrace of the body and mind. It is usually a favorite among small ones!

• How to perform it: This is done by kneeling on the floor, bringing the big toes together, and then separating the knees further (or keeping them closer together as one wishes). Bend forward, with the torso between the thighs and forehead on the mat. Arms may be either extended or lying sideways.
• Why it is good to concentrate on: Child’s Pose is very cozy and relaxing. It helps them introspect and gives the children a relaxing environment to go back to, slow their nervous system, and recharge. It is ideal when the individuals require some rest and some quiet time. It is an effective form of yoga as a stress reliever among children.

5. Star Pose (Utthika Tadsala)—Openness of Energy and Confidence.

And what if you were a shining star! This posture makes the kids feel large, self-confident, and in the middle of things.

• How to: Hold feet apart, knees to the sides, and arms straight, and make a star position with the body. Get them to feel powerful and open.
• Why it assists in concentration: Although Star Pose is expansive, it helps to create the feeling of being grounded with the help of wide feet and body consciousness in the space. It creates confidence, which subsequently may assist in being more relaxed and concentrated. It is an excellent confidence-posing yoga position.

6. Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana)—Settling and Opening Gently.

Flutter, flutter, little butterfly wings! This mild hip opener is excellent for relaxing.

• How to do it: Sit on the floor, placing the soles of your feet together and the knees towards the sides. Cling to the feet and beat the “butterfly wings” (knees) down and up. They are able to bend forward in order to stretch deeper.
• Why it assists focus: The slight movement and opening of hips is extremely relaxing. It is a seated position that invites stasis in an upper body but allows playful movement; hence, it is ideal for moving to other more relaxed positions. Good to soothe energetic children.

Bringing It All Together: Avoidance of Failure.

• Playground etiquette: It is all fun! Keep them interested with the use of imaginative language, sounds of animals, and storytelling. “Can you be a strong warrior?” or “Let’s be a sleepy cat!”
• Brief and Sweet: Long sessions are not to be expected. Even 5-10 minutes of pure yoga can result in a huge difference.
• Be a Role Model: Play with them! Children are fond of imitating things, and when they see you are involved, it is all the more attractive.
• Listening to their bodies: Do not impose a pose. Teach them to do what is pleasurable, to sleep when they should sleep.
• Focus on Breath: Help them pay attention to their breath. Breathe in, as though you were sniffing a flower, and breathe out, as though you were blowing a candle. This plays a vital role in the breathwork of the kids.
• Prepare a Special Place: It can be only one corner of a room, but it will help to have a yoga place.

The Power of Savasana (Relaxation Pose).

Also Read: The Science of Auras and How Yoga Affects Your Energetic Field

To finish off some active poses, always attempt to finish off with a few minutes of relaxation. This is equally essential as the active poses towards enhancing concentration and relaxation.

• The way to do it: Lie on their backs, with arms straight. You may wrap up in a light blanket.
• The reason why it is useful to concentrate: This is what the body takes into account for all the good things of the practice. It is something that teaches them to be still and also gives their nervous system time to completely rest and rejuvenate. It is an essential relaxation measure among children.

Final Thoughts

You do not necessarily need to make a big deal out of having introduced yoga to kids in your family routine. Begin small, make it fun, and make a big deal of all things. These simple poses will make you amazed by how much stronger focus, calming, and emotional control your small yogis can establish.

It is our pleasure to have you with us on this journey today. We sincerely wish that such tips and poses can bring even more peacefulness and presence to your home.