Yoga (meaning yoke or join together) is the practice of accessing and integrating all aspects of our true nature — body, mind, and spirit — in the pursuit of inner harmony. Because children can encounter emotional, social, and physical challenges, a simple yoga practice that includes breathing techniques and physical postures can be incredibly beneficial for them. Yoga is something children can practice anywhere without needing a mat, or any other special equipment.

There are five key areas where kids benefit from the practice of yoga:

1. Enhances Physical Flexibility: Yoga promotes physical strength because kids learn to use their whole body and all their muscles in new ways. 
2. Refines Balance and Coordination: Balance is a key element of yoga. Even if a child has difficulty standing on one foot, they learn mental balance when they are able to stay calm through challenging postures, even if they don’t master it the first time. As children learn to improve their physical balance, their confidence will build with each success.  
3. Develops Focus and Concentration: Practicing balance and poses encourages children to clear their mind and focus on the effort. Research has shown that the process of focusing on specific poses in yoga also helps children to focus and concentrate in school and get better grades.
4. Boosts Self-Esteem and Confidence: Yoga teaches children to persevere, be patient, and work toward their goals. When a child masters a pose, it boosts confidence and self-esteem. Yoga also provides tools for practicing compassion, mindfulness, generosity, focus, strength, and flexibility.
5. Strengthens the Mind-Body Connection: Yoga helps kids achieve a sound mind by exercising the physical body and calming the mental spirit. Yoga works as a foundation to nurture and develop a resilient and resourceful body, mind, and spirit.

Yoga is beneficial to children of all ages. Studies have found yoga to be effective because it seems to play to the strengths of kids while also reducing stress. Parents may notice how yoga benefits their kids, but the best judges are the kids themselves. Children who have practiced yoga tell teachers and parents that they are able to concentrate better during the day, focus better on their activities, and pay attention to their tasks — all the finest endorsements.