Virginie Dreyer of Tiny-Om creates symbolic jewellery for little girls. Yasmine Mamoudieh, founder of myKidsy, helps parent to find the best courses, creative activities  and workshops in London.  A conversation around the benefits of yoga for kids started between us. 

 Virginie

Yoga is a fun way for children to develop important skills in a non-competitive environment. There is no judgment in a yoga class about how a child does a pose or plays a game. Doing a pose ‘perfectly’ is not the aim of yoga, which nurtures a child’s inner strength and self acceptance. With yoga, kids develop strength, coordination, flexibility and balance, but also body awareness, concentration, and self confidence.

Yasmine

I feel yoga gives kids that inner strength and power they need at an early age to be self reliant, to find that stillness in them, growing up in a noisy world, a place to retreat to whenever they decide”. Said Yasmine. “For me it’s more the meditative yoga and breathing yoga called pranayama that is so powerful . If learnt at an early age it will empower them for the rest of their lives, they will be able to deal with difficult times that life will always have, in a more relaxed way. It is a power that no one can take from them and that will stay with them a lifetime. The practice of yoga and mediation is the practice to consult our inner voice for guidance and not external ones and not blame circumstances for out destiny, It is about taking responsibilities for ourselves and nurturing our souls.

Florence

Since I was a little girl, I always saw my Swiss grand-mother doing sun salutations at dawn, but I only started practicing yoga in my late twenties. Knowing how much it helped me in life, I didn’t want to wait too long for my children to get all  the great benefits it brings. A year ago we found a wonderful class that they love. When my daughter asked her best friend to join the course, I was confronted by the parent’s skeptical attitude. It was really not obvious to them what it could bring to their daughter. Children who practice yoga are more grounded and centered. Body awareness equals good coordination, focus, determination, discipline, responsibility, patience, a higher self-esteem, a better ability to manage stress and emotions. The immune system is boosted through deep breathing and stimulation of acupuncture points. When the body becomes more flexible, the mind also gets more flexible (less tantrums!). I hope this post helps some of you parents understand more about yoga and how it is beneficial for children.

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Click here to buy the beautiful 18-carat gold Tiny Om pendants to wear as bracelets or necklaces. Protective and symbolic pieces for little girls and their mothers.

 

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Click here to find/book a great yoga class in London, or email team@myKidsy.com /phone +44 75401 36273.

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As I am reposting this article, let me share with you a recent find. For anyone who loves yoga but who is less fond of  synthetic materials, these cork yoga mats are just the ticket. Cork is eco-friendly and recyclable, naturally anti-bacterial, it allows good grip. Check it out here.

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Opening photo : http://www.elephantjournal.com