If you think, Yoga is only meant for fitness freaks or ill people, nah! Everyone from an adult to a child can practice yoga regardless of his or her age.  According to studies, yoga has beneficial effects on children as well as youth’s health and well-being.
In a world of busy-ness and digital culture, where we rarely have time to commit to our loved ones, family yoga gives everyone a chance to reconnect. It is reasonable that our work demands mobiles, PC or we love rejuvenating our mood via web series but amidst all this, we forget that- FAMILY IS IMPORTANT.
There is an old saying: A family that prays together stays together. Similarly, practicing yoga together is a perfect escape and a way to strengthen bonds by motivating and supporting each other to achieve well-being while having fun.
#1. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN SOME EASY-PEASY POSES
Introducing yoga to children in primary years helps in improving their flexibility, memory, boosts self-awareness, increases attention span, and a lot more. Get your children started with kid-friendly yoga like Talasna (Giraffe Pose) or Ardha Pincha Mayurasana (Dolphin Pose). A slow start will help them understand the asanas and they may start developing interest in them.
#2. ALLOW MEMBERS TO ALTER THE YOGA POSES
Don’t be afraid to break some rules! If you are someone who is serious about yoga, you can’t expect everyone else around to be the same. Let the other members adjust their poses according to their own comfort. Following a strict method might discourage and build pressure on them.
#3. LET THE KIDS SHOUT AND MAKE THE ROOM A VIRTUAL ZOO
If you want to get your kids to love yoga, let them enjoy it their own way. If they screech like a monkey, bark like a dog or roar like a lion (ah! there is actually a lion pose- shimhasana) while doing some poses (they might find the asanas weird and funny at times), laugh it out. Though deep breathing and meditation demand a calm environment, kids don’t like being queit all the time. So, at least in the beginning phase, giggle with them and end the session with meditation so that they feel involved initially.
#4. BALANCE THE TECHNIQUE AND PLEASURE
As mentioned above it will be a bit tricky to get the kids on board by letting them do whatever and however they want to but it is also essential to teach them the basics of the poses. Inform them the right way of doing it, its benefits, and give them a past example of how you improved your health by doing it. A live example in front of them will motivate them to pursue it in the correct way.
#5. TRY PARTNER POSES
Having talked a lot about kids, did you know that you could pair up with any member of the family and reap the benefits of yoga by practicing the partner poses? You can start by doing some beginner poses for two people like – Partner forward fold or twin trees. However, you need not go beyond comfort because flexibility of the participating members will not be the same. This will prevent injuries.
When couples regularly perform partner yoga, it can build levels of trust and communication, and eventually have an optimistic effect on their relationship.
#6. TRY GROUP ACTIVITIES
Practicing yoga in-group boosts confidence and motivation. Beginners tend to get distracted while performing alone but seeing others working towards their goals, drives them positively. It also develops a sense of competition, which allows one to try to achieve more.
#7. JOIN VIRTUAL CLASSES TO STICK TO A ROUTINE
The best way to continue practicing yoga with family is by joining a class and following a timetable. It is easier to show up in a class because your guide would be expecting your presence and hence it helps everyone stay disciplined. Therefore, don’t wait much just choose the PERSONAL FITNESS PLAN on The Wellness Corner or join sessions with your whole family to acquire the advantages of yoga.
IN A NUTSHELL
Family yoga lets everyone come together to build good habits, establish stronger relations, and one can learn a lot from each other’s experiences. You won’t have to feel bored and can easily break the mundanities of ordinary life by synergizing your energies towards a spiritual path as well.
