In the 1990s, Western medicine began to recognize yoga as an effective wellness practice. Since then, its use has skyrocketed. An estimated 17.5 million Americans now practice yoga regularly. In the United States alone, 1 in 10 adults practices yoga. And as of 2007, there were over 1.5 million children practicing yoga.
These are some statistics of health & wellness issues children are facing today:
- Obesity is now among the most widespread medical problems affecting children and adolescents living in the USA, between 16 and 33% of children and adolescents are obese. Of these diagnosed, 85% of all the children have type 2 diabetes.
- Stress can come in many forms for children: over programming with after school and school activities, stimulation from TV and technology, being bullied in school, friends and family are often reported as the “stressor points” for children today and can cause anxiety. Some of the effects of childhood stress are headaches, sleep disorder, obesity, nervousness and poor concentration.
- Anxiety disorders affect one in eight children. Anxiety disorders also often co-occur with other disorders such as depression, eating disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- It is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, making it more common than juvenile diabetes. Government statistics suggest the prevalence rate of autism is increasing 10-17 percent annually.
- ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-age children. In a classroom of 30 students there are 1 to 3 children with ADHD. The number of children 3-17 years of age that have been diagnosed with ADHD is over 5.2 million.
- Children need at least an hour of physical activity every day.
Yoga has the potential of playing a preventive role in maintaining health and wellness in children. The Mayo Clinic, Nov. 2010 article states that, “Yoga can be a gentle method for your child to get more physical activity and enhance their wellbeing. Yoga can calm children, reduce obesity, enhance concentration and help children manage certain health conditions, such as headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. Studies suggest that yoga may also benefit children who have various mental and physical disabilities. Yoga may even help children who have eating disorders lessen their preoccupation with food.”
Yoga is a powerful physical discipline that offers children, through breath and movement, incredible techniques to relax, release stress, express themselves positively, find strength and balance in their lives. The CDC states, “Yoga can help kids develop better body awareness, self-control, flexibility, and coordination. Many teachers and parents have seen children carry these skills beyond class and into their daily routines.” The CDC study also found a link between yoga and improved learning, better behavior, and greater confidence in school-age children.
Yoga has been proven beneficial in teaching positive cognitive skills for a variety of different special needs populations, from physical disabilities, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders or autism.
The physical practice of yoga provides a healthy outlet for stress. The mindfulness and breathing aspects of yoga offer children skills for dealing with strong emotions. And give them an ability to understand their feelings and relate to others. Relaxation processes of yoga help to reduce stress, develop creative intuition and concentration. Through balancing and standing postures, children work on sensory integration issues, which help to provide structure and discipline in their development. Children can transition from a yoga experience and use the tools they develop to calm the nervous system. Offering self-awareness, self-esteem and self-regulation in their day-to-day interactions with others.
