Today I would like to remind parents that they too, need to incorporate ‘down time’ into their busy schedule …
Have you heard of yin yoga?
I personally love yin yoga. Let me share why…
It’s very different to other types of yoga. Most yoga practices are dynamic and fluid and are mainly designed to build strength, flexibility and stamina. They also help focus the mind.
Yin yoga practices are designed to help stretch tight ligaments, tendons and fascia (connective tissue) of the hips, legs and lower back. The yin yoga poses are all held for 3-5 minutes AND are all in the lying or seated positions.
So if you are tired, this is for you, lie down hold your pose, breathe and relax.
The beauty of yin yoga is that it slows everything down, giving you time to focus on your breathing and the area you are stretching. It is a great time to practice mindfulness.
In our busy schedule called ‘life’, it is important to find ‘quiet’ time, to be still, to focus on the breath, to allow the mind and body to integrate.
I have outlined the research evidence that supports the benefits of yoga in many previous articles so I will not repeat myself. I have linked an article about yin yoga if you are interested in reading more about it.
As I have said before, “what monkey see, monkey do”. So if you would like your child to start practising techniques to help calm their mind and body, then it is a great idea for you to be a good role model for them.