Magic In The Journey Down To Touch The Toes!

In Yoga, the asana where one bends down to touch one’s toes is Paadahastasana. Some people, and even some kids do not find this easy to do. Over time, with practise and improved flexibility, this asana becomes possible. It can be quite a journey down there, one of exploration, self-discovery, awareness and improvement. This first post of 2025 is about the journey the kids from my Sunday Kids Yoga sessions are enjoying !

Yoga for Kids

Teaching yoga to kids four and a half decades younger than me is the joy and highlight of my Sundays. If people wonder whether kids can practise yoga as the two seemingly don’t go together, the answer is a resounding ‘yes, they can, and indeed should’.
It is easy to complain that with the exposure to the digital world very early on, the children of today lack focus and mindfulness. Most adults think that kids are hyperactive and restless, incapable of sitting still and silent let alone observe their minds. My experience with the children at my kids’ yoga classes prove otherwise. Children take to yoga naturally and joyfully. The body and mind awareness they cultivate brings a world of benefits to them.

An Exciting Journey!

Laughing and talking noisily, the girls, aged between 8 and 10 years come running up the stairs a few minutes ahead of the class. Rolling their yoga mats out, they are eager to experience what I have in store for them. Only after they excitedly tell me all about the ‘interesting happenings’ of the week, they are ready to ‘settle in’ ! With my instruction to inhale and exhale deeply as they close their eyes, our class begins. They observe their breathing and sit still and composed as we chant. Yes, occasionally a kid will get distracted and open her eyes to see what the others are doing but most times, the chanting immerses them deeply.
Even as newbies, the kids quickly get a hang of what comprises a yoga class and follow the instructions attentively. They soon want to progress to the advanced versions of the asanas. The balancing asanas being the trickiest, there’s much giggling as they watch each other wobbling about while they learn to focus their gaze on a single point.
Not only are the kids able to focus, chant, meditate and breath mindfully while enjoying the physical exertions, they are also able to observe the calmness and stillness of their minds after the pranayama. The mindfulness games I play with them are much in demand.

Adults usually come to yoga when their mental or physical health fails.

Unfortunately, in the case of adults, most enroll in yoga classes after they are diagnosed with lifestyle diseases like hypertension, diabetes and other stress-related or mental issues. They come because they have no go but to finally take care of their health, and then, when they stay on this path and practise sincerely, realise that their yoga practise gives enormous mental as well as physical health benefits, beyond their expectation.
Since adults already carry a certain amount of baggage when they enroll in these classes, they take time to build confidence in themselves as well as in the practise itself. Children are spontaneous in their learning and responses; they do not analyze what they are asked to do nor are they self-conscious. They are also more intuitive and with gentle nudging grasp the purpose of the activities we do in class.

A World of Benefits!

Few parents are aware of the benefits of yoga for children. Some know about the benefits because they practised when they were younger, some send their kids to yoga class to get some free time for themselves!

Whatever be the reason, kids benefit enormously from yoga classes that include pranayama, asana, relaxation and mindfulness practices. When children learn to recognise their mental states and are empowered to regulate their moods and emotions through breathing and mindfulness techniques, they grow up to be balanced teenagers and adults. This is the kind of generation we need in our society. “More yoga in the world is what we need” – Diane Lane. And it would make a wonderful difference if we start with yoga for children.

As the kids bend down to touch their toes, they discover more than just flexibility on the journey down. There’s a world of wellness and joy there. Indeed, for these little ones, the journey down to touch their toes is a magical one.

Happy New Year Everyone !!

Wish you all a year filled with good health and all else you desire.

Do share your thoughts on this post here below !!!