The benefits of Yoga and breath work for kids - How to teach your child yoga and breath work

If you're looking to ride the wave of coolness while getting your groms into a rad activity, consider introducing them to yoga. Yep, you heard it right—yoga isn't just for us adults catching waves of enlightenment. It's a gnarly way to get your little surfers stoked about staying fit and balanced, both physically and mentally. Plus, throwing in a balance board and some deep breaths? Sounds like a rad idea not to only keep them calm but to help keep your sanity.

Yoga and Kids – A Perfect Match

So, why should your groms ride the yoga wave? Well, there's a barrel-full of reasons! First off, yoga helps kids build strong muscles and increase flexibility. Picture your little ripper nailing that tricky pose like a pro surfer riding a massive wave. It's all about balance.

The benefits of yoga for kids are.

1. Physical Strength and Flexibility: Just like a surfer needs strong arms and legs to ride the waves, yoga helps kids build muscle strength and flexibility. Those warrior poses and downward dogs are like doing push-ups for the body's chill muscles.
2. Balance and Coordination: Imagine your kid as a tightrope walker on the beach boardwalk. Yoga teaches balance and coordination like nothing else. When they master those poses, it's like they're walking on water.
3. Stress Busting: Kids today face more stress than we'd like. Yoga is their secret weapon to chill out. Through deep breaths and relaxation, it's like a mental wipeout, leaving them feeling Zen and ready to tackle the next set.
4. Improved Concentration: Kids are often bouncing from one thing to another, like waves crashing on the shore. Yoga helps them ride the focus wave. By teaching them to concentrate on their breath and movements, they become better learners and problem solvers.
5. Boosted Self-Esteem: When your mini surfers master a new pose, they feel like kings and queens of the beach. It's a confidence booster that carries over into other parts of their life. They start believing in themselves and their abilities.
6. Social Skills: Surfing is often better with buddies, right? Well, yoga for kids is a group activity too. It's like a beach party where they learn to communicate, cooperate, and be kind to their fellow yogis.
7. Better Sleep: If your little beach bums struggle to catch enough Zzzs, yoga can help. Evening yoga sessions are like a sunset over the ocean, calming their minds and helping them drift off to dreamland.
8. Healthy Habits: Yoga is like planting the seed of healthy living early on. It encourages your groms to make wise choices about what they eat, how they move, and how they take care of their bodies.
9. Mind-Body Connection: Surfing is all about feeling at one with the ocean. Yoga teaches your little surfers to listen to their bodies, understand their limits, and respect themselves. It's like finding the perfect wave of self-awareness.
10. Lifelong Benefits: By introducing your groms to yoga now, you're giving them a gift that'll keep on giving. They can ride the yoga wave throughout their lives, staying fit, balanced, and centered as they grow.

Here's a basic yoga exercise that your little beach bums will love:

The Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar)

The Sun Salutation is like the ultimate warm-up for your mini surfers. It's a sequence of poses that stretches and strengthens their bodies while connecting them to the sun's energy.

How to Ride the Sun Salutation Wave:

1. Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Stand tall with your feet together, arms at your sides, and palms facing forward. Imagine you're as steady as a mountain.
2. Upward Salute (Urdhva Hastasana): Inhale and raise your arms overhead, palms together. Stretch your whole body up toward the sky like you're reaching for the sun.
3. Forward Fold (Uttanasana): Exhale and bend forward at your hips, bringing your hands to the floor or your shins. Keep your knees slightly bent if needed. It's like diving down to touch your toes.
4. Halfway Lift (Ardha Uttanasana): Inhale and lift your upper body halfway, keeping your back flat and looking forward. Imagine you're balancing on your surfboard.
5. Plank Pose: Exhale and step or jump back into a plank position, like a strong surf stance. Keep your body straight as a surfboard, engaging your core muscles.
6. Chaturanga Dandasana: Lower your body down to the ground, keeping your elbows close to your ribs. It's like a mini push-up.
7. Upward-Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana): Inhale, push your chest forward, and lift your upper body, keeping your legs on the ground. Imagine you're greeting the sun as it rises over the ocean.
8. Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): Exhale, lift your hips up, and push your heels toward the ground. Your body forms an upside-down "V" shape, just like a surfer catching a wave.
9. Forward Fold (Uttanasana): Inhale and step or jump your feet between your hands, returning to the forward fold.
10. Upward Salute (Urdhva Hastasana): Exhale, rise up, and return to the upward salute.
11. Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Inhale and bring your arms back down to your sides, standing tall and strong.

Repeat this sequence a few times, and you've got yourself a fantastic yoga exercise that'll get your kids moving, stretching, and finding their inner surfer. Encourage them to go at their own pace, breathe deeply, and have fun riding the Sun Salutation wave! 🌞🏄‍♂️🏄‍♀️

Balance Boards – Surf's Up on Land

Now, let's talk balance boards. These bad boys are like your own personal mini surfboard on land. When your groms practice yoga on a balance board, they're not just getting a killer workout, but they're also sharpening their balance and coordination skills. It's like they're carving up a wave on dry land! Any one of our balance boards can be added to make a yoga routine that extra bit rad.

If you need some balance board workout or trick inspiration, be sure to follow us on socials as we are always posting video there.

Breath Work – Catching the Zen Wave

But wait, there's more! One of the raddest things about yoga is the focus on breath work. Teaching your groms to ride the wave of their own breath can help them stay calm, centered, and focused both on and off the mat. It's like finding the Zen spot in the lineup.

Here's a step-by-step guide to introducing breath work to your child:

1. Set the Stage: Start by creating a calm and comfortable environment. Find a quiet space free from distractions where you and your child can sit or lie down comfortably. You might want to dim the lights or play soft, soothing music to set a peaceful mood.
2. Explain the Importance: Depending on your child's age, explain in simple terms why breath work is essential. You can say something like, "Taking deep breaths helps us feel calm, like how surfers stay relaxed while riding the waves."
3. Demonstrate Deep Breathing: Show your child how to take deep breaths. You can use the "Ocean Breath" analogy, where you pretend to breathe in like you're smelling a flower and breathe out like you're blowing out candles on a birthday cake. Encourage your child to mimic your breathing.
4. Practice Together: Sit or lie down next to your child and guide them through a few rounds of deep breathing. Count to four as you inhale and count to four as you exhale. Keep it slow and steady.
5. Use Visualization: For younger kids, you can make it more engaging by incorporating imagination. Ask them to imagine they are blowing up a balloon with each inhale and slowly letting the air out with each exhale.
6. Explore Breath Awareness: Encourage your child to pay attention to their breath without trying to change it. They can place a hand on their chest and one on their belly to feel the rise and fall as they breathe. This can help them connect with their breath and the sensations in their body.
7. Incorporate Fun Techniques: Depending on your child's age, you can make breath work fun by turning it into a game. For example, you can play "Breathing Buddies," where your child lies down with a stuffed animal on their belly, and they have to make the toy rise and fall with their breath.
8. Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Encourage your child to practice deep breathing when they are feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. Make it a part of their daily routine, like before bedtime or when they wake up in the morning.
9. Encourage Expression: Let your child know that it's okay to talk about their feelings and emotions. Encourage them to express what's on their mind and how they feel after practicing breath work. This open communication helps them connect their breath to their emotions.
10. Lead by Example: Children learn best by observing their parents or caregivers. So, practice breath work yourself and share your experiences with your child. This will make it a natural part of family life.

Remember, patience is key when teaching breath work to your child. Some kids may pick it up quickly, while others might need more time. The most important thing is to create a positive and supportive atmosphere where they feel safe to explore and develop this valuable skill.

In a world filled with digital distractions and endless homework sets, yoga for kids is like a secret treasure chest of awesomeness. It's a blend of physical fitness, mental clarity, and stoke-inducing fun. Throw in a balance board for that extra challenge and encourage your groms to ride the breath work wave. They'll be catching the Zen vibes and carving their own path to wellness. So, why wait? Grab your little surfer dudes and dudettes and ride the yoga wave together—it's the ultimate way to keep the stoke alive!

Stay salty and ride on, my friends! 🤙