Yoga seems to be everywhere these days, and as more and more people practice yoga they are experiencing its benefits. One leaves yoga class physically challenged, yet mentally focused and calm at the same time. With benefits like these it is not surprising that parents are in search of the same results for their children. A child’s yoga practice can be the perfect de-stressing outlet; children increasingly “compete” at an early age in an adult-like manner, particularly in a high-pressure environment like Hong Kong.

The beauty of yoga is that it is completely non-competitive, and encourages kids to focus solely on themselves, a rare opportunity for those caught up in the throes of the pressure to constantly “perform” to perfection.

Parents who seek yoga for children are often looking for a class that will help their child gain flexibility and an increased attention span. Children’s class structures differ slightly according to age, but the goals are the same: increased self-confidence and awareness achieved through breathing and movement, as well as physical well-being. A strong emphasis is placed on encouraging the child to develop at his/her own pace and work within his/her boundaries of ability. Typically classes are divided into several age groups, i.e. 3-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-12 years and teen, to allow for the very different physical capabilities possessed by children of varying ages. For younger children, the teaching method tends to incorporate a more playful element: the movements are slightly faster and more varied to allow for a young child’s undeveloped attention span. Incorporating stories involving animals and nature has proven to be an effective method for conveying the principles of yoga to young children who are learning to focus their minds whilst increasing body strength and flexibility. A wider range of movements requiring both physical strength and emotional maturity challenge older children, with emphasis placed on the ability to concentrate and focus.

Through yoga, children are encouraged to develop a sense of individuality that is so often lacking in today’s kids where group thinking is becoming the norm. Researchers studying the effects of this homogeneous tendency suggest that the long-term results will be a new generation that struggles with independent thought and action. The practice of yoga is a direct address for this potential problem, by encouraging a greater sense of self-awareness, self-confidence and inner strength.

Further, children who live city lives and have limited access to free-range outdoor activities can often be surprisingly un-supple; the stretching and strengthening involved in the practice of yoga aims to combat this whilst helping young bodies to grow unhindered. It also addresses an additional need in pre-teens who are famously awkward and self-conscious. Yoga is ideal for this age group as it encourages an understanding of the body. A key component of acceptance is understanding, and the natural consequence of regular yoga practice is a greater acceptance of oneself - often one of the most challenging aspects encountered during teen-age years.

By Rachael Katz and Heather Thomas Shalabi, of Flex Studio in Stanley