Yoga for Teenagers
The benefits of yoga for young adults (teenagers) are enormous. Yoga teaches them to join their breath, body and mind; when we can do this we become whole. That’s a great feeling. Yoga will increase their strength, energy and enhances their health. Also they will think more clearly.
- Physical Relaxation
- Breathing
- Postures
- Stress reduction
- Creating space in one’s thinking
- Thinking and doing
- Results and changes
Physical Relaxation – This is expressed through the power of the exercises, the feeling of tingling in the body, the efficiency of the exercises and leaving the lesson filled with energy and more mentally relaxed.
Breathing – Breathing deeply in and out of the nose brings lots of oxygen into the body. Oxygen is the fuel or life force for our bodies.
Postures - stretching and holding the body in different positions is great exercise for muscles, bones and organs. It stimulates blood flow and eliminates toxins which are necessary for a strong clean body. When they combine breathing and postures it develops inner harmony. The peaceful feeling that accompanies this union of concentration, breathing and motion creates flow in the body and balance in the mind.
Stress Reduction – A great reduction in stress especially after a hard day of studying and feeling the weight fall from their shoulders. During a yoga class they were able to let go of the pressure.
Creating Space – learning to relax. The more they relax the easier it is to let go of problems, creating more space in their minds. Through visualization, they discover that they can in choosing what they think about affect their inner state and their ability to accomplish goals.
Thinking and doing – By creating some mental space, they can find new solutions to their problems. By listening to others in the group they listen to different opinions and experience help from new perspectives.
Results and changes – Just by clearing their heads, yoga taught them to look at situations more coolly and then make conscious decisions instead of simply following their first impulse and the mental relaxation gave the young people space in their thinking.
Research: Bringing about awareness - The results showed that a minimum of ten lessons can bring positive changes in the minds of young people. Through the quietness and clarity of yoga and the support of the teacher and the other young people they learned to reduce distractions by concentrating on themselves.
All these benefits show themselves in:
- Improved behaviour
- Better school work and memorisation of lessons
- Better relationships with teachers, family and friends
- Those who are disruptive become calmer
- Those under stress become more out going and communicative.