Kids Yoga

Yoga, a low-impact exercise, reduces stress hormones and boosts beneficial brain chemicals like endorphins and GABA. This enhances mood and reduces anxiety. Brain imaging studies show that yoga practitioners have higher levels of these feel-good chemicals compared to sedentary relaxation activities. By activating the parasympathetic nervous system and reducing negative emotions, yoga helps lower the fight-or-flight response. 

Children today face stress due to globalization and increased academic pressure. Yoga, an ancient practice, can help children cope with stress and improve their mental health. It develops resilience, mood, and self-regulation skills. Yoga in schools is a valuable tool for children and adolescents to handle stress in the long run. It improves concentration, self-awareness, emotional maturity, and self-confidence. Yoga has also shown positive results as a complementary treatment for mental illness.

Yoga for kids with ADHD and other Disorders

Yoga may also help children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by improving the core symptoms of ADHD, such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, according to new research. It can also help children with ADHD perform better in school.

Yoga, according to a 2015 study, improves ADHD symptoms. Yoga practice reduced anxiety in ADHD children. These children were less impulsive and hyperactive after practising yoga. A different year-long study on 69 children in India confirmed this. These kids also performed better in school and improved their grades. A recent study conducted by psychologists at Russia’s Ural Federal University found that yoga and breathing exercises benefit children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Children who attend special classes improve their attention, decrease their hyperactivity, are less tired, and can engage in complex activities for longer periods of time.

Yoga can also help with eating disorders. Yoga practice on a regular basis boosts children’s self-esteem. It results in a positive self-image. It also alleviates the stress and anxiety that can lead to eating disorders.

Yoga has also been shown to benefit children with diagnosed mental health issues. In children exposed to extreme violence or natural disasters, this includes anxiety, eating disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Separation anxiety, phobias, somatic manifestations such as undesirable habits and tics, nightmares, and in some cases extreme physical discomfort are all symptoms of childhood anxiety (as in panic disorder).

A number of small studies have found that yoga can aid in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is used in conjunction with other treatments to help reduce intrusive memories and emotional arousal and to produce calmer, steady breathing. Because it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, deep, slow breathing is associated with calmer states.

In relation to this, yoga has been beneficial in assisting youth at risk of developing type 2 diabetes to lose weight.

Yoga provides a genuine solution. Regularly delivering a 15-minute yoga and mindfulness programme to children has been shown to improve their mental and emotional health – even if the adult leading the session has no yoga or mindfulness experience.

Yoga is recognised as a holistic system of practises that has shown promise in improving the physical and mental health of children. Yoga with children can help them redirect their energy in a positive way, calming their minds and bodies, especially during stressful times. It could be beneficial for those who are destructive and aggressive. Yoga may improve a child’s well-being, boost self-esteem, and promote fewer negative behaviours.

Benefits of Yoga in the mental well-being of Youths:

• A sharper brain

• Improved mood

• Releases helpful/ feel-good brain chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.

• Relieves depression

• Reduces stress

• Eases anxiety

• Improve sleep quality

• Enhance quality of life

• Improves their Memory and Focus

• Develops Self-esteem, Confidence, and Empathy

• Provides a space for imagination and creativity.

• Creates a foundation for lifelong happiness

Yoga for kids with ADHD and other Disorders

Yoga can help children with ADHD by improving core symptoms and school performance. It reduces anxiety, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, as shown in multiple studies. It also benefits children with eating disorders by boosting self-esteem and reducing stress. 

Yoga is beneficial for children with mental health issues, including anxiety, PTSD, and separation anxiety. It aids in weight loss for at-risk youth with type 2 diabetes. Regular yoga practice improves children's mental and emotional health, even with inexperienced instructors. Yoga is a holistic system that redirects energy, calms minds and bodies, and promotes well-being and positive behaviors. 

The mental benefits of yoga for youths include sharper brain, improved mood, release of feel-good chemicals, relief from depression, reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep, enhanced quality of life, improved memory and focus, increased self-esteem, confidence, and empathy, space for imagination and creativity, and a foundation for lifelong happiness.