Sun Salutation - The Child Way
The ancient science of yoga is practiced by people of all ages, living across the globe. People try to improve their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health by practicing various yoga techniques and poses each day.
The Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation in yoga is an important asana or pose that should be practiced on a daily basis. This asana comprises of 12 different postures that are performed in a single flow. Yogis claim that the Sun Salutation is a healthy and invigorating way to start your morning.
Children too could benefit immensely from the alternating forward and backward bending postures, which help to stretch and flex their abdomen as well as their spinal column. Some of the benefits of The Sun Salutation for kids include –
- Augmenting efficiency in various fields
- Boosting physical strength
- Enhancing the function of the nervous system
- Improving memory, concentration and learning capabilities
- Increasing energy levels in the body
- Keeping the mind calm and focused
- Optimizing metabolism
- Promoting better sleep patterns
- Toning the muscle
The Sun Salutation is can be made a bit easier for kids, as they may not be able to perform all the steps and breathing techniques that adults do. Given below are the steps that are a part of the sun salutation sequence, which can also be practiced by kids –
- Start off by standing straight; join your hands in front of you and keep your feet close together
- Stretch both your hands up high above your head and bend backwards
- Then, bend low, trying to touch your toes, but make sure that your knees are straight
- Place one foot behind, leaving the second one close to your hand
- Jump your second foot behind so that you are in The Downward Facing Dog Pose
- Lower your body so that you lie flat on your stomach, but keep your hip raised for this step
- Raise only your upper body, pushing your head and chest high to look up into the sky
- Then, use your hands to push your hips upwards, in The Downward Facing Dog Pose once again
- Step one foot forward, near your hand, soon followed by the second foot
- Once again, stand in the pose where you are bending low trying to touch your toes, with your knees are straight
- Return to the pose where you stand straight with your hands up, over your head
- End the sequence by standing straight; join your hands in front of you and make sure that your feet close together
For best results, children should always practice the Sun Salutation in the morning and should use a yoga mat.
It is also important to check with a doctor before allowing a child to practice The Sun Salutation or any other yoga poses. To reduce any injury risks, children should always practice this sequence under the guidance and supervision of a yoga guru or expert.
Read more articles from the Yoga Exercises Category.
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