Yoga is very popular. A lot of adults do it. And acutally, it's pretty good for kids too. Part of the reason why is because it helps them blow of steam.
Take Rebecca for example. She's 8 years old and after only three yoga classes relaxation and depp breathing have already come in handy, especially she says, "When I bicker with my sister."
Experts say kids are stressed by things like fights with siblins, sports and busy schedules. "They have the exact same deadlines that we do, and the exact same fears. Not having enough time to do what they want to do, or not being able to please everyone that's around them or say the right thing. I mean it's exactly the same…just on a smaller scale.", said Jennifer Keller. She's a Certified Yoga Instructor.
According to a new study from California State University - San Bernardino, yoga can relieve anxiety in students as well as increase motivation and concentration -- even outside of class. "It of course will carry over into other situations like a soccer game or a play where they can focus on breath and let go of anxiety and be more present in what it is that they're doing.", Keller said.
She also says there are limitations to the yoga movements kids can do. "There are postures that I wouldn't introduce to children. I'm not going to put a child in a handstand, normally I wouldn't ask a child to do a drop back and a back bend."
But done right, experts say, yoga can teach kids ways to handle stress. They're techniques they can use for the rest of their lives. Like Rebecca said, "... Now I can do certain like belly breathing and it helps like you know, calm you down."
Yoga has also been shown to help kids with ADHD.
