Yoga basics for kids help them stay calm, grounded and centered

Yoga is a holistic Eastern regimen that is typically associated with adults, but over the years, the program has become more popular among younger enthusiasts. Numerous yoga and health articles report on how the breathing exercises, poses and stretches can calm children, help them focus better in school and get them to sleep well at night. In fact, many classes offer yoga basics for kids to help them learn the gentle maneuvers.

The Miami Herald reports that the activity is becoming more widespread among the youngest residents of South Florida, where little ones can attend yoga sessions at their school or local library.

According to instructor Cookie Billig, there weren't many yoga workshops around when she was a fourth-grader herself. Nowadays, however, classes are offered at studios across the country to help encourage families to practice yoga.

South Miami mother Bianca Premo is one parent who swears by yoga classes for her youngsters.

"Yoga helps [my daughter] listen to herself. It's discipline, but not in the punishment sense," she told the news source. "It's a practice to keep yourself calm."

Kids who participate in yoga may have a better chance of optimizing health and achieving academic success.

Related items

• Yoga basics: First things to know include when to lead and when to follow
• In U.S. and abroad, dogs and owners do yoga basics poses together
• Chattanooga first-graders do yoga basics for kids
• Classes revolve around yoga basics for kids
• Yoga basics for kids catch on among teens, tweens and even toddlers!