Can yoga help children who will do sports, athletics or dance?
Yoga has immense benefits for athletic children and dancers. It helps them find joy just being in their little bodies, as they play and figure out what they can do, in a fun way. They develop body awareness and body control through yoga. The more positive body experience young children have, the more they develop very useful physical skills that will enhance their athletic abilities. From very early on, yoga helps children develop both fine motor skills (having excellent control of hands and fingers) and gross motor skills (large body movements like balancing, hopping and running), improving coordination and brain hemisphere integration. Yoga also teaches them that if they practice at something, they will get better and better – a useful skill for dance and sports. In addition, yoga’s non-competitive nature helps kids find a way to challenge themselves without pressure, to be self-aware and self-confident, so they can recognize and build their own strengths and gifts.
