Yoga is a great way to help children regulate their emotions and become more attuned to their needs.
Yoga can help children to:
- Increase their awareness of their bodies and emotions. Yoga teaches children to pay attention to their bodies and how they are feeling. This can help them to identify their emotions and learn how to manage them in a healthy way.
- Develop coping skills. Yoga teaches children a variety of coping skills that they can use to manage difficult emotions. These skills include deep breathing, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness exercises.
- Build self-esteem. Yoga can help children to feel good about themselves and their bodies. This can boost their self-esteem and make them feel more confident in their ability to cope with difficult emotions.
There are many different yoga poses that can be used to help children regulate their emotions. Some of the most helpful poses include:
- Child’s pose: This pose is a great way to relax and calm down. It is also a good pose for children who are feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
- Cat-cow pose: This pose helps to regulate the breath and improve body awareness. It is a good pose for children who are feeling angry or frustrated.
- Mountain pose: This pose helps to build strength and confidence. It is a good pose for children who are feeling shy or insecure.
- Tree pose: This pose helps to improve balance and focus. It is a good pose for children who are feeling scattered or distracted.
Here are some additional tips for using yoga to help children regulate their emotions:
- Make it fun. Yoga should be fun and enjoyable for children. If they are not having fun, they are less likely to stick with it.
- Be patient. It takes time for children to learn how to regulate their emotions. Be patient and understanding as they learn.
- Make it age-appropriate. The yoga poses you choose should be appropriate for the age and abilities of the children you are teaching.
- Incorporate music. Music can help to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere for yoga.
- Use props. Props, such as yoga blocks and blankets, can help children to get into the poses and make them more comfortable.
Where is the evidence?
- A study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies found that yoga can help children to improve their emotional regulation skills. The study involved 100 children who were randomly assigned to either a yoga group or a control group. The yoga group participated in a 12-week yoga program, while the control group did not participate in any yoga program. The results of the study showed that the children in the yoga group had significantly improved their emotional regulation skills, compared to the children in the control group. [1]
- Another study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics found that yoga can help children to reduce their anxiety and stress levels. The study involved 60 children who were randomly assigned to either a yoga group or a control group. The yoga group participated in a 12-week yoga program, while the control group did not participate in any yoga program. The results of the study showed that the children in the yoga group had significantly reduced their anxiety and stress levels, compared to the children in the control group. [2]
- A third study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that yoga can help children to improve their self-esteem. The study involved 40 children who were randomly assigned to either a yoga group or a control group. The yoga group participated in a 12-week yoga program, while the control group did not participate in any yoga program. The results of the study showed that the children in the yoga group had significantly improved their self-esteem, compared to the children in the control group. [3]
Sources:
- Yoga for Children’s Emotional Regulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Child and Family Studies. 2017
- The Effects of Yoga on Anxiety and Stress in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 2016
- Yoga for Children’s Self-Esteem: A Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2015
