Considering family yoga? These are the benefits + where to start
Yoga can be a lot of things: a way to exercise and remain active, a job for many, a community for all of us but really at the end of the day it provides you with a break from reality to focus on your body and your mind.
Why on earth would you want to share it with your family then?
The Benefits
Well there are lots of reasons why practising yoga together can be a really positive thing for both younger and older members of the family.
For all adults it is a respite from the anxieties and stresses of life and work, whilst also a way to reconnect with their mind and body. There is also the plus of connecting with the local community, and even socialise!
For younger ones however, there are plenty of benefits! Practising yoga with young babies can help grow the bond you share, as well as work on their touch and play together. For younger children and the rest of the family too, it can help build confidence, open dialogue and promote healthy habits.
Children in particular benefit greatly from yoga. We sometimes think that stress and anxiety only applies to grown ups, but the reality is that in a fast-moving world, children are also affected by this. If anything, the coronavirus pandemic couldn't have been highlighted this more, with millions of children being homeschooled and their usual schedule disrupted. Even now as they go back to school in the UK (and in some places across the world) it might feel daunting starting again.
Yoga can help them learn techniques to relax and connect more with their inner self, encouraging body awareness and self-esteem. At the same time it offers a different environment for them when it comes to physical activity - less competitive and more cooperative - as well as improving their flexibility, strength and balance.
So how do you get started?
1. Firstly, most local yoga studios will have family yoga classes, so it is definitely worth getting in touch with them.
2. Try encouraging meditation and add “yoga time” into your daily schedule - it really doesn’t need to be long! You can all sit down in easy pose and do some breath work exercises for a 10 minutes. This video is great for young children, if you are not sure where to start:
3. Check if your favourite online teachers have yoga classes for families. We’ve put together our favourite three below:
Rainbow Yoga 🌈 Yoga For All Ages! 🌈 - Yoga With Adriene
Mommy and me Yoga - CamiRose Yoga
Saturday Morning Yoga | Moana adventure 🌊🌸 - Cosmic Kids
Yoga is clearly something that can benefit everyone in your family, from the youngest to the oldest, so why not give it a try and share the joy and peace that comes with it!
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