Discover how yoga helps children build emotional resilience, improve academic performance, and manage stress. Includes back-to-school practices for kids.
In a recent interview with Sheila Ewers of Natural Awakenings Atlanta, Amy Haysman, founder of Grounded Kids Yoga, shared valuable insights into the benefits of yoga for children and the unique approach of their program.
The Genesis of Grounded Kids Yoga
Haysman’s journey into yoga began during a hiatus from teaching middle school. Seeking stress relief and physical well-being, she discovered yoga and immediately recognized its potential benefits for children. This realization led her to co-found Grounded Kids Yoga in 2007, aiming to offer children authentic yoga experiences that are both fun and meaningful.
What Sets Grounded Kids Yoga Apart
Unlike programs that may dilute yoga practices for children, Grounded Kids Yoga maintains the authenticity of ancient yoga traditions. Their curriculum includes 84 poses categorized into sequences reflective of the seven chakras and five elements. Each pose is given a kid-friendly name that embodies its essence, such as “Serious Crow Playful,” highlighting the balance between serious alignment and a playful attitude.
Classes often incorporate yoga games, guided meditations, visualizations, art, and opportunities for students to create intentional practices applicable to their daily lives. The optional “Quest For Elevation” program allows students to earn bandanas as they master sequences and apply yoga principles off the mat, fostering personal growth and leadership skills.
Benefits of Yoga for Children
Extensive research indicates that children who practice yoga experience a higher overall sense of well-being and improved academic performance. They exhibit fewer behavioral issues and reduced absenteeism. Yoga teaches children to express, balance, and regulate their emotions, helping them connect to their true nature, which is at ease and self-assured.
Through yoga, young people learn to recognize when they’re out of alignment with their best selves and acquire skills to realign, enhancing resilience, strength, flexibility, and focus while reducing anxiety, depression, negative self-talk, and the effects of chronic stress and trauma.
Real-Life Success Stories
Parents have reported that siblings practicing yoga together handle disagreements more peacefully, leading to harmonious family dynamics. Therapists have observed significant improvements in core strength, coordination, and determination among children attending yoga classes. Teens have shared that yoga has equipped them with tools to navigate real-life challenges such as breakups, friendships, family struggles, depression, and general stress. Additionally, student-athletes use yoga to prepare both physically and mentally for their sports, and students with special needs discover ways to honor both their abilities and vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
Grounded Kids Yoga, under the leadership of Amy Haysman, offers children authentic yoga practices that not only enhance physical health but also promote emotional and mental well-being. By maintaining the integrity of traditional yoga while making it accessible and enjoyable for children, they provide valuable tools that support young individuals in navigating life’s challenges with grace and resilience.
For more insights and practices, read the full interview with Amy Haysman in Natural Awakenings Atlanta’s article: Yoga for the Youngest Generation.