10 Surprising Ways Practicing Yoga with Your Child Can Change Your Life

When I first started practicing yoga with my children, I had no idea just how transformative it would be for our entire family. What began as a fun way to get my own yoga practice in soon turned into a powerful tool for bonding, mindfulness, and overall well-being.

I started practicing proper parent and child yoga when my eldest was just 4 years old. What we practiced before that was mainly just them climbing on me while I practiced! Still fun of course! But after 4 years old, you need to change things up a bit and make the practice a bit more engaging for them.

My youngest was born into the world of family yoga straight away. I actually did my first children’s yoga teacher training while I was in my first trimester of pregnancy with him (wow, was I tired!!).

That’s me. The one who is upside down! 😂 I think my morning sickness had mainly passed at that point 😂

The good news is, you don’t need to take teacher trainings or spend hours learning about yoga to practice with your own child at home. I am here to help make your practice easy and fun!

Here are ten ways that practicing yoga with your child can change your life and bring joy and peace into your home.

1. Enhances Family Bonding

Practicing yoga together provides a unique opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your child. The shared experience of learning and growing through yoga fosters deeper connections. I remember the first time we tried partner poses; it was filled with giggles, trust, and teamwork, creating memories that we cherish. It was so fun to work towards really challenging poses too and explore something that can’t be done on your own. It took so much trust and communication, and a lot of falling out of the pose and having to try again. This helped my child build resilience and not get frustrated about getting something wrong, but just enjoying the practice of it.

2. Improves Physical Health

Yoga offers numerous physical benefits, including increased flexibility, strength, and coordination. Children naturally enjoy these activities, and it’s a fantastic way to get the whole family moving. The greatest win for us has been how in tune my children are when they need a movement break. They know their own body and they know when they need to move. Yoga has helped them to build this level of self-awareness and be able to advocate for what they need.

3. Encourages Mindfulness

Yoga is a powerful tool for cultivating mindfulness. It helps both children and parents become more present and aware. After a particularly hectic day, we often turn to yoga to find our center. The practice has taught us to appreciate the little moments and stay grounded.

4. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Life can be stressful, and children often feel this stress too. Yoga provides an effective way to manage anxiety and promote relaxation. During a lockdown, when there was soo much uncertainty, our family yoga sessions became a sanctuary of calm and peace, helping us navigate through the challenges with grace.

5. Boosts Emotional Intelligence

Yoga encourages children to understand and express their emotions in healthy ways. By practicing yoga, my child has learned to recognize their feelings and communicate them more effectively. This has significantly improved our emotional connection and understanding.

6. Enhances Concentration and Focus

Yoga’s focus on breath and balance can enhance concentration and academic performance. When my child is struggling to focus on homework, we are able to take a quick yoga break instead of trying to force focus. The calming techniques learned through yoga have proven invaluable during homework.

7. Promotes Better Sleep

Yoga can help regulate sleep patterns, leading to better quality sleep. Incorporating a few gentle poses into our bedtime routine has worked wonders for my child’s sleep. The relaxation techniques have made bedtime smoother and nights more restful for the whole family. My eldest who has been having a particularly hard time getting to sleep at night in the summer has become very fond of the 4,7,8 breathing technique*.

*4-7-8 – Breathing in for the count of 4, holding for the count of 7 and exhaling for the count of 8 seconds. I’d recommend this practice for ages 8+

8. Builds Resilience and Coping Skills

Yoga teaches resilience and coping mechanisms that children can apply in various situations. It’s heartening to see my child use breathing exercises or a favourite pose to calm down during stressful moments. This resilience is something they will carry throughout life.

9. Encourages a positive mindset

Practicing yoga can inspire a positive mindset. Our yoga practice has led us to explore gratitude practices, being mindful out in nature, being more aware of our emotions and feelings and how we talk to ourselves – that inner voice. It’s amazing how one positive change can create a ripple effect, encouraging a holistic approach to well-being.

10. Provides Quality Time Together

Quality time is invaluable. Yoga offers a dedicated time for parents and children to connect without distractions. I know I use my phone waaaay too much, and I say I can’t play because I’m tidying the house yet again, and so having this time carved out to have fun together and relax together is so special. The joy and laughter during our yoga sessions are priceless, and they have become a treasured part of our week.

Practicing yoga with your child can truly change your life. It fosters family bonding, improves physical and mental health, and instils lifelong healthy habits. If you’re ready to start your own family yoga journey, join our community and grab your free Family Yoga Guide. Let’s create calm, connected, and joyful family moments together.

Have you tried yoga with your child? What benefits have you noticed? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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