Kids Feeling Stressed? Yoga May be the Easy, Fun Solution

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The stress level of children has increased significantly over the past four decades, according to a recent study – and parents are turning to yoga for help.

The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology recently reported that “Children’s anxiety increased substantially from the 1950's.”

The report compared more than 200 studies done on over 50,000 young people from 1952 to 1993.

Life is no longer as predictable as it was in the 1950's, and there are more threats to children’s sense of security from crime, violence, divorce, frequent moves, and other sources of fear.

Many kids who are “stressed out” have symptoms of restlessness, irritability, and even a fearfulness to try new things, like going out for soccer. Children with a high level of stress and anxiety often suffer from depression, asthma, gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, and heart disease.

“Yoga training teaches children how to control breathing and relax,” explained Nancy Wile, the author of “Yoga for Kids,” an innovative yoga program on DVD for children. “Yoga is non-competitive. There is no winner or loser. Every child can participate and feel good, which builds confidence.”

Wile created the “Yoga for Kids” DVD for children of all ages. It is easy for parents to implement because it can be used at times that are convenient. The whole family can benefit by using the DVD together. A number of studies have shown that many children who practice yoga, especially those with problems such as ADHD, are able to concentrate for longer periods of time.

More information about yoga and about the “Yoga for Kids” DVD can be found on the Internet at http://www.YogaTG.com.

“Our children live in a hurry-up world of busy parents, school pressures, lessons, competitive sports, and even video games. We usually don’t think of these as stressful for our kids, but they are,” said Wile, who is herself a mother of two.

Yoga can help counter these pressures. Yoga at an early age encourages self-esteem and body awareness with a physical activity that is noncompetitive.

“Physically, yoga enhances their flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness. In addition, their concentration and sense of calmness and relaxation improves through the practice of balance poses and breathing exercises,” explained Wile.

Although the DVD is geared towards younger children, many parents discover that doing the yoga exercises with their kids brings even greater benefits. Parents improve their stress levels and that makes everyone in the family happy.

“Young or old, yoga creates a toned, flexible, and strong body. It improves respiration, energy, and vitality. It improves metabolism, promotes cardio and circulatory health, relieves pain, improves athletic performance, and helps you look and feel younger than your age. All this while you relax and handle stressful situations more easily,” said Wile.

About Nancy Wile, EdD
Nancy Wile, is the founder of Yoga to Go. She understands how yoga can benefit people of all ages and sizes, and is committed to meeting the individual needs of each of her students. She holds a doctorate in education from Columbia University in New York, is a registered yoga teacher and mother of two (ages 6 and 8). Along with teaching yoga, she has spent much of her working life teaching children and families about health and wellness.

Contact:
Nancy Wile
702-271-3415
nancy@yogatg.com