Helping Teens and Tweens Find Balance Through Yoga
Would you like your child to learn how to stay calm during an important test? Does your child feel anxious or filled with panic before a class presentation? Kids can learn how to take a few minutes to breathe deeply and relax…yoga can help them learn how.
The life of a young student can be very demanding. They rise early for school, often times after staying up late to study so they are sleep deprived. Once they are at school, they feel pressure to keep up in class, and deal with pressure from their peers. Participating in after school activities or sports can be both mentally and physically draining. And they might also be dealing with difficult family issues at home. On top of all of this, they can be very critical of themselves if they don’t perform well or are afraid they will disappoint their parents. All of this can feel overwhelming, and cause feelings of anxiety or panic.
Anxiety can manifest in a number of ways. It might be linked to a specific event: just before an exam, during a class presentation, or before a big game. The heart feels like it is pounding, and breathing becomes shallow and rapid. When the anxiety takes over, it can be hard to concentrate and focus. Sometimes, the anxiety might feel like an overall sense of dread. In extreme cases, students might try to avoid the situation entirely: missing school, doing poorly in class, or no longer participating in events that used to bring them joy.
Young people need yoga. The physical practice of yoga is beneficial because it helps to stretch the muscles and strengthen the body. But more importantly, yoga teaches us how to relax the body and calm the mind. Simple breathing techniques practiced during a yoga class can help to relieve tension and anxiety. So when the anxiety starts to creep into the mind or takes over the body, there are tools we can learn to help us calm down and regain focus.
Starting in early November, we are launching yoga classes specifically designed for teens and tweens. Students will learn yoga postures in a comfortable and non-intimidating. They will receive guidance from a Certified Yoga Teacher who will provide one-on-one attention to each student. Every class will contain simple breathing techniques that students can practice anytime, anywhere. Students will learn tools they can use well beyond their teenage life and into their adult years.
