Basic benefits of yoga
physical
- strengthen muscles
- improves posture, co-ordination and balance
- develops core strength
- encourages motor development on both sides of the body
- increases flexibility
- promotes fitness in a non-competitive environment
- improves awareness of the breath
- relaxes the body promoting better sleep
intellectual
- improves cognitive activity
- focuses the mind on the present and makes ready for learning
- wakes up sloppy minds
- develops communication and organisational skills
- improves retention of knowledge
- boosts memory
- stimulates the imagination and promotes creativity
- encourages team working skills and social interaction
creative
- stimulates the imagination
- encourages creative movement ideas
- promotes self-expression
- creative play promotes overall health and well-being
emotional
- calms and clears the mind
- boosts self-esteem
- improves confidence
- calms the body and mind to create inner peace
- offers a sense of sacredness of life
- promotes self-respect and respect for others
- releases day to day anxieties
- offers fun and enjoyment
- improves ability to be less reactive, more mindful of
- speech and actions
social
- improves social interaction skills
- provides opportunities to meet like-minded individuals
- provides opportunities to engage with others
- practice at home could include other family members
- improving and strengthening family relationships
Basic principles of yoga
(which promote self-respect, respect for others, develop values and moral lifestyles)
- practice peace – encourages child to be loving and kind, gentle in thought and deed and not to harm any living thing.
- be honest – encourages child to be honest and tell the truth
- be generous – encourages child to share
- practice moderation – encourages self-control and over, discourages over-indulgence
- cleanliness – encourages cleanliness of self and the environment
- contentment – encourages the child to be content with themselves and celebrate their individuality. Promotes gratefulness
- work hard – encourages child to strive to do their best, to always finish tasks and not to give up
- enjoy own company – encourage child to enjoy peace, quite and stillness – to be alone with own thoughts and reflect
- act on beliefs – encourages children to stick to ideals and beliefs and act upon them to do something bigger