Why is it so beneficial for teenagers to practice yoga... and how can you help?
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Why is it so beneficial for teenagers to practice yoga and how can you help?
We know yoga helps us, right? That's why we practice it! Some of us may have been lucky enough to get into yoga at a young age, but for me (and most of my students) I found yoga in my 20's, after quite a stressful time as a teenager.
During adolescence I felt a lot of feelings, but I didn't really understand them very well. I remember commenting that my chest felt tight and it was hard to breathe, but I had no idea that this was stress or anxiety. I also struggled a lot with confidence in my body, and it wasn't really until I found yoga that this changed and I began to accept it, and myself. My story isn't unique, it's the same for so many of my students.
For young people, yoga can offer a chance to reconnect with their bodies at a time when they are rapidly changing.
As they re-connect, they are able to hear their bodies more clearly. This is so important because often our bodies send us signals about how we are feeling that are easily missed if we aren't able to hear them!
Being able to notice and take control of our breathing is also hugely powerful. When teenagers are coping with stress on some level the breath can be an amazing tool. It's something that can be used anywhere, any time, whether sitting at a desk in school or on a bus. Much like simple mindfulness practices, breathing techniques can really help to give young people a bit of control in situations that may be leaving them feeling very out of control.
Yoga teaches us more than simply to move our bodies and breathe, though. The life lessons can be literally life changing! The ethical guidelines of the yamas and niyamas provide a framework for us to follow. For me personally, I carried the concept of Ahimsa (non-harming), which is the first yama, through so much of my life when I first started to practice yoga, and it helped me to be kinder to myself. This was a huge shift for me and it's something I've noticed when I teach teenagers.
So how can you help?
A friend recently suggested to me that I place a mat next to mine when I practice yoga, leaving an invitation for my daughter to join me if she wants to. I thought this was such a nice way to leave it in her hands... But my daughter's 4, not 14 (although sometimes I do wonder!) If you have teenagers you can talk to them about yoga, explain what it is, why you practice and what you get from it. You can then invite them to join you, or find a class or tutorial online for them to try.
Some teenagers will be happy to join in or be led by you as their parent, but some will prefer to learn from someone else. This is natural and part of the process of being a teenager! Doing yoga together can be a great way to bond, but if it's not working for you both then there are lots of ways you can support your child to practice yoga themselves.
Learning to teach yoga and mindfulness to teenagers is a great option for those of you who want to share the practice with your children, with your student's children, or with children you currently work with.
I will be running another Youth Yoga and Mindfulness online training this Summer. I also have a self paced course that you can start any time, and work through as it suits you.
Both courses cover everything you will need in order to share yoga with young people. Topics include:
physical and emotional development during adolescence
neuroscience and the developing teenage brain
asana for young people
pranayama and it's benefits
simple mindfulness practices
how to introduce yoga philosophy into class
planning and sequencing classes for specific groups and needs
managing behaviour
setting up and running a business
If you'd like to find out more about training to teach yoga to teens, or you simply want a little advice and guidance about how to share yoga, please get in touch! The summer is a great time for kids to switch off from school, but as September rolls around I know these practices will be more and more beneficial for them.
