Benefits of Yoga for Children and Young Adults

Yoga has a plethora of benefits for people of every age group but especially children and young adults who can enhance their physical health and memory and cognitive functions using ancient yogic practices. Here is why introducing yoga at an early age can prove to be beneficial:

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1. Mood Regulation

   The yogic practices of asana, pranayama and meditation promote a state of balance or equilibrium in the mind and body. Balancing asanas such as tree (vrikshasana), eagle (garudasana), crow (bakasana) engages both left and right hemispheres of the brain, the left being responsible for logic and reasoning and the right for emotional intellegence and creativity. In yoga, these are the solar and lunar channels and

   the regular practice of asanas and pranayama such as nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) also bring about balance in the two channels, promoting a state of harmony in the body and mind. Scientific research in the recent years has proven that practising mindfulness and meditation increases neuroplasticity in the brain and the creation of new neuropathways (NIH).

   
   

2. Improvement in Body Functions

   The combination of asana practice with pranayama (breathwork) improves blood circulation, muscle tone, bone health, joint health - mobility and flexibility, functioning of internal organs such as liver and kidneys and cardiovascular health. Specific practices such as kapalbhati and uddiyana bandha and twisting postures like udarkarshana, tone abdominal muscles and detox the digestive system, improving the excretory system of the body helping in effective waste disposal. This is the 'detox' effect that grabs a lot of people's attention today.

   
   

3. Improvement in Posture and Spinal Health

   It is famously said that a person is as old as his spine. With an academic system that is relying more on a computer based education, a lot of movement isn't possible for many young people today, making them prone to a sedentary lifestyle. Sitting long hours affects the posture and makes the spine stiff and prone to early aging. Incorporating yoga in schools can help young people maintain spinal flexibility and strength to prevent early aging that is caused due to a lack of movement.

   
   

4. Improvement in Eye Health

   Going back to the previous point of sedentary work in young people and spending longer hours in front of a computer screen, more young people are developing refractive errors in vision such as myopia. This leads to dependancy in glasses and myopia has also been linked to depression according to some studies. Yogic practice of trataka or candle gazing has positive effects such as preventing early onset of myopia and even reversing myopia in the early stages.

   
   

5. Improvement in Sleep and Insomnia

   Sleep is the most important tool to reset the body and mind and with the increase in stress and anxiety, more young people are experiencing insomnia. The breath practice brahmari has incredible effects on reducing stress and anxiety and can increase the nitric oxide in the sinuses up to 12 folds if practised regularly. This helps in promoting deep and healthy sleep which in turn leads to a better and more relaxed state of mind.

   
   

6. Improvement in Hormonal Health

   Yoga when practised in the trinity asana, pranayama and meditation, reduces the stress hormone called cortisol and promotes the release of serotonin that in turn promotes good mood. It also has great effects on the endocrine system of the body for example by promoting the rest and digest system, it aids in good gut health.