Caddo Magnet Yoga Fundamentals

LIFE SKILLS THAT YOGA TEACHES

1. Improves fitness and physical health

Yoga poses improves coordination, balance, strength, and flexibility.

2. Reduces stress and anxiety

High school can be a stressful period for teenagers with both academic and personal challenges. We are surrounded by conversation, television, gadgets, movement or just fidgeting. And yet do we ever look forward to just being?  With yoga, we learn to relish the silence and the stilness. Yoga helps calm the nervous system and thus regulates the response to stress.

3. Maintain a healthy weight

Overeating, excess consumption of junk food, and stress are common factors that lead to weight gain in teenagers. The physical and mindful practice of yoga can improve the ability to maintain a healthy weight.  A regular yoga practice is considered an effective way to increase core strength, improve cardio-fitness, burn calories, and relax the mind.

4. Improves focus and performance

Focus is the ability to direct the flow of consciousness onto a specific object. With focus exercises, yoga brings the simple awareness of the breath to improve concentration. Just imagine, if we could give 100% of our focus to the task at hand. Life becomes more efficient and gratifying.

5.  Healthy self-esteem and body image

It is common for adolescents to experience low self-confidence, body image issues or low self-esteem. Yoga improves self-acceptance by taking time nurture ourselves, notice any negative thought patterns and mindfully beautify our internal dialogue.  Yoga is rooted in the principle of non-judgment.

6. Discipline and Self-Regulation

Yoga may help teenagers gain composure.   A regular practice reduces impatience and impulsivity by improving the ability to become attentive to what is arising and rather than react, to respond effectively.   We learn the buttons that overwhelm us and the increased consciousness raises the quality of our living and interaction.