Kids between the ages of seven and nine are rapidly growing, free of the developmental and physical limits that many younger children face, and have a better understanding of their bodies. Here are some strategies for engaging this age group during yoga class to help them make yoga a more conscious practice.

1. Accept the fact that everything is possible.

They are capable of doing anything and everything, and they are possibly better at it than we are! They have all of the necessary motor skills, coordination, and balance to perform a variety of yoga postures and sequences; all you have to do is start where they are and work your way up.

2. Recognize that everyone is unique.

Because there are significant disparities in flexibility and strength within this age group, provide easier and more hard options for the same pose so that everyone feels successful. Some people can do Turtle Pose as a simple Forward Bend, while others can do it in a more acrobatic variation. Always begin with the easiest stance and work your way up to the more difficult ones.

3. Draw Their Focus On Breathing

Children aged seven and up are significantly more aware of their breathing than younger children! Begin doing more breathing exercises with them, and encourage them to breathe more deeply throughout poses and in between them. Teach them how to use the Yogic Diaphragmatic Breath to breathe to the abdomen.

4. Don’t treat them like a toddler

These are grown-up kids, and they’re starting to get irritated by immature things. So the class isn’t quite as silly…at least not all of the time! There are less music and no toys, but yoga excursions are still possible. Gradually advance to lessons focused on a certain concept or theme, such as strength, being upside-down, friendship, communication, trust, and so on. When you take a yoga class that has a theme, everything you do in that class will reinforce that theme.

5. Hold short yoga position clinics for them.

Children between the ages of seven and nine are eager to learn. Their body awareness is rapidly developing, so you may devote some time to teaching them how to perform yoga poses more effectively. The greatest method to help kids progress in the postures is to take them to a “Yoga Workshop,” a 5-minute segment of the class that is a little more serious (while the rest of the class is insanely fun!).

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