Sharing yoga as a family is not only fun, but has the power to strengthen the family unit. A strong family breeds well-adjusted children who are positively connected to those who love them and are empowered to reflect that love out into the world. Here are 6 Ways Yoga Promotes Strong Families.
Sharing yoga as a family is not only fun, but has the power to strengthen the family unit. A strong family breeds well-adjusted children who are positively connected to those who love them and are empowered to reflect that love out into the world.
Understandably, it can be difficult to find down time in a hectic family schedule. Fortunately, the practice of yoga is adaptable. You don’t have a full half hour to dedicate to “yoga time”? Try taking a few deep breaths together in the car on the way to the play audition, practicing a couple of simple stretching poses paired with a calming breath before heading out onto the soccer field, letting off steam together with a Lion’s Breath, or sharing a visual imagery exercise before bed. Adapting yoga sessions for your family—even 1 to 5 minutes here and there throughout the day—can be beneficial. These yoga breaks provide wonderful opportunities to connect as a family while providing your children an opportunity to experience how yoga can be used as a helpful tool anytime!
Your family can benefit from “connecting moments” in yoga, moments found in partner poses, games, family activities and projects, family performances, or in a quiet discussion of a yoga principle or following a visualization exercise. In these moments, you’ll learn more about one another, build trust, engage in teamwork, and deepen bonds. Family communication and interaction becomes fun yet meaningful, enhancing connectedness between yourself and your children, and the family as a whole.
The weeks after a new school year begins, the holidays, the days leading up to an important test or a sports competition, or a traumatic family event are all examples of times when you and your child can experience increased anxiety, stress, and pressure. Taking a few minutes to practice yoga together will give you a safe “respite from the storm,” remind you of what is most important, and teach skills to manage uncomfortable feelings. These skills will support your family members throughout their lives.
In this excerpt from Yoga for Children, by Lisa Flynn, Founder and Director ChildLight Yoga and Yoga 4 Classrooms, she shares 6 ways practicing yoga together can benefit your family.
Read the full excerpt as published in Yoga Living Magazine here.
About the Author
Lisa Flynn, E-RYT, RCYT, Founder of ChildLight Yoga® and Yoga 4 Classrooms® has an award-winning family yoga studio in Dover, New Hampshire. Certified in several schools of yoga for children and adults, Lisa shares her knowledge with hundreds of parents, educators, and yoga teachers every year through her trainings and workshops. Lisa is also author of the Yoga 4 Classrooms Card Deck.
How to Buy the Book
Yoga for Children is currently for sale by the publisher at both Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com. For signed, first edition copies, please order directly through the ChildLight Yoga boutique.
Copyright notice: Note that all materials and photos herein are copyright protected by F+W/Adams Media. We are happy to share, but please contact for publisher permissions requirements.