My name is Ritu Malik Bhasin & I am the founder of "i am yoga†in Singapore. I am a certified Hatha, Vinyasa & Ashtanga Yoga Instructor and am certified to teach both adults and children. I love to spread the gift of yoga to everyone!
I was introduced to yoga in my teenage years & I truly believe that yoga helps with ‘Total Personality Development’. It is not only benefical for physical health, but also enhances mental control, emotional balance & intellectual development. So now I am listing a few of the many benefits of Yoga for our Tweens and Teens.
Why should tweens & teens practice yoga?
A tween’s or teen’s brain is constantly in overdrive and is still developing. The prefrontal cortex is the behind the forehead and is also known as the ‘CEO of the brain’, for its ability to plan, organize and regulate mood. A proper development of the prefrontal cortex through yoga, gives you the ability to concentrate and think, rather than acting impulsively. The initial growth spurt of synapse formation in the prefrontal cortex occurs as a baby, and the second spurt of synapse formation occurs just before puberty, around age 11 in girls and 12 in boys.
> Practicing yoga & breathing techniques subconsciously calms the mind and the nervous system.
Many teens deal with anxiety & stress - Tweens and teens often have self-doubt and regularly face questions such as, do I fit in? What if I fail? Am I good enough? These doubts and questions, coupled with peer pressure and the changes going on in the body, may result in a heightened state of anxiety.
> Yoga instills a sense of self-confidence and self-believe in tweens & teens and helps them deal with their anxiety.
We all know how much time tweens and teens spend interacting with technology every day and much of their world exists virtually, and much of the validation they receive is in the form of virtual “likesâ€, and comments.
> When tweens and teens work with an inspiring yoga teacher who embodies and shares the values and wisdom of yoga, chances are that they will want to bring more kindness, presence and attention to their own lives and to the lives of others around them.MRI studies have also found that yoga can help teens cultivate ‘executive decision making skills’ as well as creativity, flexibility, self-control, and discipline.
Yoga will also help tweens & teens release the feel - good brain chemicals such as GABA, Melatonin (which will make them sleep better), serotonin, dopamine etc.
Constant pressure of building meaningful friendships - While yoga appears to be a solitary practice, there is also an immense sense of community among those who practise yoga in groups. Understanding this can help develop friendships, based on compassion and respect for one another’s strengths and differences, something that students will carry with them beyond the yoga studio.
For more you can find me at Facebook / Instagram page @iamyogaSG or email me on [email protected].
Do give me feedback on this blog and if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you.
Love and light.
Ritu Bhasin
( Singapore )