When Should You Start Yoga with Kids?

Written by A. Simon, April 2019, MN USA

©️Minnesota Kid’s Yoga Co., LLC - Blog

When are kids old enough to do yoga…

So often, when we think of yoga, we picture people doing arm balances or toe balances with insane arms and a killer set of abdominal muscles. Okay, maybe that’s not what you picture, but I bet you didn’t know that yoga can be practiced EVEN BEFORE BIRTH!

Yoga is a great resource for moms that are expecting. It helps mom’s stretch muscles that are getting very little use in the 9 months it takes to create a little ball of joy. It also helps soon-to-be moms relax and remain calm leading up to the big due date!

Further, many studios even offer mom-and-baby yoga classes. Moms can use their baby as a weight to help tone arms and legs. Totally awesome right!?

Honestly though, babies and toddlers can start yoga as early as you want them to. Yoga isn’t just postures on your feet or arms, but its also breathing techniques, stretching, and listening to soft music to meditate.

LiveStrong.com website has an article titled, Yoga for Babies. Within the article it is suggested that, “From about 1 month to 4 months of age, a baby is just becoming aware of her body and how it moves. Verbally directing a baby to move her body into poses really isn't practical; rather, you can assist them in feeling their bodies in gentle stretches.”

The article goes on to suggest several different postures that are formed by mom/dad’s help. My favorite posture includes the Good Morning Stretch.

“In the good morning stretch, lay your baby on his/her back. Help him/her extend their arms overhead and their legs straight out in front. Hold the stretch for a breath or two and then let him/her release and move naturally.” — Livestrong.com

The article also suggests to play monkey-see monkey-do with your baby. Toddlers are especially great at copying mom/dad’s movements. Using blankets, towels, or yoga mats are all wonderful options for some easy baby yoga. Also, doing stretches at night can be a great sleep aide for babies that are overly restless!

So, if you are wondering when to start yoga with your baby, the answer is now! Sometimes parents worry if they will hurt the baby unknowingly when stretching them. Of course, too much pull or push can be harmful, but common sense stretching is just fine! Babies’ bones are very maliable and bendy. Their bones are similar to cartilage, in that they don’t break as easily as brittle bones in older people do. So, in other words, it is good for them to move and bend. I mean.. just watch them put their feet in their mouth! That in itself, is pretty bendy if you ask me!

Lastly, when moms (or dads) and babies do daily activities such as yoga together, not only are lasting bonds enriched, but so are healthy foundations. When a child grows up learning to move his/her body in healthy ways ‘just like mom or dad does” they learn to respect their body. I always say to my yoga students “you only get one body in life, so take good care of it!” Therefore, when parents teach their children to love their bodies by doing yoga together, it truly magnifies self care.