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Ask Ginger: National Yoga Month
You've got questions ... we’ve got answers! Email your queries about healthy foods, physical activity and screen time for kids and Ginger will answer them here on the Phipps blog.
Q: I have heard from a friend that September is National Yoga Month, and I have always been a little curious about integrating yoga into my exercise routine. I feel like yoga would also be a great way to get my family to be active together! Could you give us some tips on how to get into exploring yoga and explain some if its benefits? (Susan, East Liberty)
A: Great question! People’s interest in yoga has been growing the last few years and this year 9.5%, or 21 million, adults in the U.S. use yoga as a mind and body practice. This is a noteworthy increase from 6.1% in 2007 and 5.1% in 2002. Statistics also show that 3.1%, or 1.7 million, kids in the U.S. participate in yoga.1 People’s interest in yoga may be due to the long list of benefits this practice provides to adults and children! For example, yoga has been found to increase flexibility, increase muscle strength and tone, assist in maintaining a balanced metabolism, and protect from injury to name a few.2 Aside from the physical benefits, one of the top benefits of yoga is how it helps individuals manage stress. Stress can affect the body in many ways and can cause neck pain, sleeping problems, headaches and the inability to concentrate.2 The combination of meditation and breathing in yoga can improve a person’s well-being and cause positive outcomes in a person’s mental health.
Yoga and mindfulness have been shown to improve both physical and mental health in children ages 4 to12.3,4 Yoga improves balance, strength, endurance, and aerobic capacity, and can also improve focus, memory, self-esteem, academic performance, classroom behavior, and can even reduce anxiety and stress in children.3,4 Studies also suggest that yoga can help children with ADHD, as well as assist children with special needs.3,5 Yoga is being seen more in schools and Let’s Move Pittsburgh has funded various yoga programs in schools in Allegheny County. Check out programs from our previous winners here to learn more about yoga programs and other healthy programs schools in your area are implementing.
Yoga is easy to learn and fun to do with family and friends. Check out the infographic below for perfect beginning yoga poses for you and your soon-to-be yogis.
Easy Yoga Positions for Moms and Kids (Infographic) by Afterschool.ae, the #1 Source of kids activities in Dubai.
Sources
1 NCCIH: National Health Interview Survey
3 Harvard Health Publication: More than just a game: Yoga for school-aged children
