Practising Yoga with Family

In the busyness of modern life, it’s not uncommon for families to find it challenging to spend quality time together. Between, school, work, meals and after-school clubs, it can be easy to start to feel a little disconnected. To combat this issue, it’s important to find an activity that the whole family can enjoy together, without it eating into too much of your all-important time. Family yoga could just be the answer. With the alternative healing method becoming all the rage in recent years, the benefits of the exercise have the potential to be colossal – not only for the adults but for the little ones of the family, too. Not only do the postures provide numerous health benefits, but they can also act as a way to bring the family back together, taking part in an activity that everyone enjoys. In this article, we will be exploring family yoga in more detail, looking into the various benefits the techniques hold and discussing a range of family yoga poses, ideal for beginners.

Benefits of Family Yoga

Minimal preparation

With a minimal amount of equipment and space required, family yoga has the potential to be practised almost anywhere. While various classes may be available in your area, if you prefer, you and the family can practice some simple postures in the comfort of your own home – a far better use of time than an evening spent goggling over the television. For the majority of the poses, minimal equipment is required; however, it is sensible to make sure you’ve got some comfy yoga clothes, just to ensure you are making the process as easy as possible. If you’re looking for a good quality yoga top, we recommend the Ana Heart, Amy Short Sleeved T-Shirt.

Modelling the importance of family time

As a child, we often learn from the behaviour that our parents demonstrate. With this in mind, participating in family yoga is the perfect way to make sure your little one grows up knowing what’s important in life. Through the practice of yoga, your children will learn to prioritise mental and physical health, in addition to re-discovering the importance of spending time with the family.

Learning together

Today, there is little opportunity for parents to learn alongside their children; typically, it is the responsibility of the parents to teach. Taking part in a family yoga class gives parents a chance to learn alongside their children, and even sometimes, learn from them. While the everyday parent-child dynamic is important, it can be great to give your little ones a chance to realise that in some ways, you’re just like them.

Relax and have fun

Family yoga offers individuals the chance to relax and have fun. Often, the years spent bringing up young children can seem a little heavy in strict routine, stress and discipline; while this is all going towards the goal of your children’s happiness, it can great to take a time-out once in a while to just let go. Family yoga encourages families to laugh and play with one another, giving parents the chance to interact with their little ones without the worry of having to be in total control.

Leave technology at home

In a world overrun by modern technology, family yoga can be a great way of getting children away from a screen Demonstrating to your kids that participating in class together is important can help them learn the importance of spending quality time with one another.

Simple Poses

The Pebble on the Rock

While this pose goes by a variety of different names, the Pebble on the Rock is widely used in family yoga sessions worldwide. To begin, manoeuvre into child’s pose. From then, your little one can carefully climb onto your back, settling down into a kneeling position. Once comfortable, your child can them come into child’s pose, too. You are in the Pebble on the Rock pose. Hold the pose for up to 10 breaths before allowing your child to slowly climb back down. In addition to providing a great stretch for the adult, this pose allows your child to feel safe and secure. To ensure that the both you and your child have maximum flexibility for the pose, consider purchasing a pair of breathable yoga pants. For a high-quality, comfy design, we recommend the Ana Heart, Love Wrap Leggings.

Baby Cat on Mummy Cat

Similar to the previous pose, Baby Cat on Mummy Cat involves your child balancing on your back. If you have already mastered Pebble on the Rock, begin in the same position. From then, slowly move onto all fours, ensuring your child remains balanced on your back as you do so. To make this family yoga pose a little more fun, Mummy Cat can try bringing some Cat/Cow movements into the posture, by arching and rounding her back; while this is great for providing a deeper stretch for the adult, it can provide a fun chal-lenge for your little one as they try to remain balanced!

The Double Boat

In addition to improving the balance of both you and your child, the Double Boat encourages parent and child to work together as one. To begin, sit down on the floor, making sure to face each other. When set-tled, hold hands and carefully bring the soles of your feet together, so you are a balanced on your bottoms. Depending on how big the little boat is, begin to straighten your legs; if your child is a lot smaller than you, it can be easier to keep your own legs bent while they straighten theirs. You are in the Double Boat. Hold the pose for around 10 breaths before slowly bringing your legs back down to the ground.

In Summary

Whether you’re interested in improving the strength of your families core physically or emotionally, family yoga can be a great way to do so. With the numerous benefits that the practice provides, rest assured you’re improving both the mental and physical health of your family, in addition to demonstrating the importance of quality time. To make sure you and your little ones remain supported through the session, it is a good idea to pick up some good quality yoga mats. For a comfy solution, we recommend the Ana Heart, Empowering Yoga Mat.