Yoga and Pilates Moves for Kids

Children love to be active, so yoga and Pilates moves for kids will seem like play to them. Teaching your kids yoga and Pilates will get them started in the basics, and establish a more dedicated practice to enjoy for years to come.

Kids love to do what you do, so lead them into a healthy lifestyle with yoga and Pilates.

The average age to introduce kids to yoga and Pilates is around two. At this time, they have a lot of energy and are eager to learn.

Practical benefits include the following:

• Both methods focus on moving the body with controlled breath.
• Children gain a better understanding of how their bodies work.
• Children learn quickly to dedicate themselves to the task at hand.
• Yoga and Pilates performed in a group setting increases socialization skills while simultaneously building confidence in individual play.

Medical studies also indicate that many children, especially those with autism, ADD/ADHD, and Down’s syndrome, gain valuable coping and concentration skills through the practice of yoga and Pilates. Techniques from these methods can be practiced to calm the child during other stressful or hyperactive situations.

Additionally, many children’s hospitals have conducted studies regarding the benefits of yoga and Pilates moves for kids with adolescents diagnosed with physical and mental disabilities.

A few yoga studios have prenatal yoga classes that expand into infant/mother yoga. Many of these infant classes are designed to create more intimacy between mommy and baby and help the mother get back into pre-pregnancy shape. The other parent–and sometimes even grandparents!–are invited to join in as well.

If you’re already involved in “mommy and me” reading classes at the library or in playgroup activities around the area, you’ll love the kid’s yoga classes many studios now offer. These classes are age-appropriate, building off the natural characteristics of young students.

Children are often delighted by their flexibility, which is why practicing yoga and Pilates will be enjoyable for them. Try the following postures.

For yoga:

• Lotus Pose – A great way for children to calm down
• Child's Pose – Another terrific calming method that ease stress
• Downward Facing Dog Pose – Energizes the mind
• Standing Forward Bend – Also good to rejuvenate the mind
• Mountain Yoga Pose – Children think this is simple, but it’s restorative to breathe and remain in this pose
• Eagle Pose – Helps to increase focus, start by doing this pose in stages – legs only, or arms only
• Tree Yoga Pose – Another great concentration pose, plus good for giggles as they try to balance
• Warrior Pose – Builds strength and concentration

For Pilates:

• The One Hundred – Builds abdominal strength, and the counting is a good challenge for younger kids
• Double Straight Leg with Ball – Helps increase flexibility
• Single Leg Stretch – Children can practice this move while watching TV

The important factor to remember when teaching children Pilates is the Pilates imprint. This will help the kids avoid injury and practice the moves properly.

For pictures of some of these positions and others, review LoveToKnow Yoga’s Pilates Sample Exercises article.

Yoga and Pilates moves for kids are so popular now, there are many resources for fun home instruction.

For yoga:

• Born Yogis
• Itsy Bitsy Yoga: Poses to Help Your Baby Sleep Longer, Digest Better and Grow Stronger
• A Toddler’s First Yoga Book
• My Daddy is a Pretzel
• The Kids’ Yoga Deck: 50 Poses and Games
• Storytime Yoga: Teaching Yoga to Children through Story
• YogaKids: Educating the Whole Child through Yoga

For Pilates:

• Stott Pilates: Fitness Fun – Pilates for Kids
• Classical Pilates for Kids and Young Adults

Looking for more kids’ activities and exercise tips? Visit LoveToKnow Kids!

• Restorative Yoga Poses
• Pregnancy Yoga Poses
• Hatha Yoga Poses

• Nude Yoga
• Pictures of Yoga Poses
• Yoga Toes Toe Stretchers
• Hot Yoga
• Men's Yoga Clothing

• Benefits of Yoga
• Girls in Yoga Class
• Category:About Yoga
• Pilates Certification
• Yoga for Scoliosis in Kids