Benefits of Yoga for Teenagers

There are many benefits of yoga for teenagers.

Yoga means “to yoke,” or bring union within the body, mind and spirit. Teenagers are often faced everyday with a lot of social pressures from peers and society, along with academic pressures and stressful schedules. Also there is a significant amount of insecurity about their changing bodies. Teens often feel overwhelmed by such pressures and may struggle with self-esteem issues and stress. Since they’re still discovering who they are, peer pressure may lead them to compare themselves to others and make poor choices. Yoga can benefit teenagers or anyone by unifying the body and mind. A regular practice will increase awareness and ability to look within, think for yourself, and trust yourself. The result is that teenagers will feel more peaceful and self-confident during a period of rapid change and be able to engage in the world with a more positive outlook.

Yoga offers huge health benefits for everyone, but it is especially so for teens. Yoga for teenagers will help them lead happy and healthy lives. By practice for as little as 15 minutes a day can have a dramatic impact on there lives, physically, mentally and spiritually.

PHYSICAL BENEFITS:

• strengthens immunity.
• improves posture.
• flexibility.
• tones the body.
• breath awareness to help relax.
• balances out energy levels.

MENTAL BENEFITS:

• improves memory.
• builds focus and concentration.
• teaches teens to cope with high demands and to make decisions in difficult situations,   academically and socially.
• helps provide a strong positive self-image without influence from the media and society.
• increases confidence.
• builds a positive attitude.
• lessens judgement of one’s self and others.

SPIRITUAL BENEFITS:

• provides presence in everyday activities.
• supports teens in compassion, kindness and non-violence.
• encourages one to listen to their internal voice and to trust in themselves.
• cultivates awareness to the fact that we are all interconnected with everything within the world.

Below are a few simple yoga exercises for teenagers that can make a big impact.

Mountain Pose (Tadasana) – is a classic yoga pose. It channels the flow of energy through the entire body and works the muscles as well. This pose is a simple one, but can be challenging as well: simply stand straight, draw your shoulders back and down to lengthen the spine. Let your arms rest at your sides with finger tips pointing to the earth. Ground down into the earth with your feet activating your legs. Softly gaze forward keeping your head in a neutral position. Hold pose for a few breaths and then repeat. This pose will build focus and concentration.

Tree Pose ( Vrksasana)– is another basic pose. This posture is known to improve balance and strength. It is also beneficial in developing concentration. Stand tall with shoulders back, place your right foot on the inner left thigh. Slowly raise your arms over head, joining your hands together if you wish. Maintain balance as you hold the pose.

Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskara)– one of the most effective yoga routines is the sun salutations. This is a sequence of 12 basic yoga postures performed in sets. Depending on time and stamina, practicing cycles of sun salutations gives the body and mind a complete work out.