Super Easy Yoga Asanas for Kids to Improve Concentration and Memory

This blog discusses yoga asanas for kids in a world surrounded by technology. Many studies conducted worldwide suggest that over the years, as the number of hours children spend using laptops and mobile phones has increased, their concentration levels, memory power, and overall immunity have decreased alarmingly. However, as parents, your primary duty is to help your kids reduce screen time and keep them mentally and physically engaged in other activities. 

One such effective way is to incorporate yoga into their daily routine. You can set an example for your children, practice yoga yourself, and encourage your child to do the same with you. Many scientific studies have corroborated that practising yoga daily helps improve kids' concentration and memory. 

Moreover, yoga has been proven to help kids increase their mental health and build strength, flexibility, and overall fitness. While there are different yoga poses with different benefits, here are a few simple and easy yoga asanas that you can help your children practise daily to improve their concentration and memory and become more calm, disciplined and aware of themselves and their surroundings. 

Pose 1 – Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

Shavasana is one of the best yoga asanas for children. It is easy to practice and helps children relax, calm their minds and body, and improve their concentration. It is a calming posture, and children of all age groups from 5 to 15 years can do it easily at home or outside. Practising this asana takes just 10 minutes, but its benefits are immense. 

How to perform?

• Lie down on the floor on the back with your arms at the side. 
• The arms must be positioned so they are at least 6 inches away from the body. The palms must be facing upwards
• Close your eyes and just relax
• Breathe in normally, and exhale slowly and let your body relax

Benefits

• Helps relieve stress
• Encourages creativity 
• Reduces anxiety
• Relaxes the mind
• Improves concentration and focus

Pose 2 – Virkshasana (Tree Pose)

Vrikshasana deserves mention for talking about yoga for concentration and memory for kids. This standing pose is used in hatha yoga to maintain the equilibrium of mind and body. The pose, as the name says it all, takes inspiration from how a tree stands with grace with its firm roots. It is easy to do, and practising this asana for about 5-7 minutes daily can help you immensely. 

How to perform?

• Stand straight in an erect position
• Now, put all your body weight on one foot
• Lift the other foot, fold it and place it over the upper thighs with the knees out
• Lift your arms over the head and join hands in a namaste position
• Breathe normally and be aware of every breath you take in and breathe out
• Hold for a couple of minutes and switch legs

Benefits

• Improves body balance
• Relieves stress
• Strengthens legs and the core
• Encourages patience
• Improves concentration and memory

Pose 3 – Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

This yoga pose works wonders for relieving stress and pain, especially back pain. It also helps open up the chest and strengthens the spine. It is a back-bending pose that may require some practice before you can do it well. You must practice this pose for at least 1 minute. Once you get hold of it, you can hold the pose for a long period, up to 5 minutes. 

How to perform?

• Lie down flat on your stomach
• Place your palms on either side of the torso 
• Keep your feet flat on the ground
• Bring your hands under the shoulder
• Lift the body with the chin up and bend backwards

Benefits

• Improves posture
• Enhances creating thinking 
• Reduces stress 
• Relieves back pain

Pose 3 – Sukhasana (Sitting Pose)

It is among the easiest asanas for children that helps improve attentiveness, concentration and memory. It is a sitting pose, and it can be done anywhere at home, garden, school or any time of the day. But it is best advised to encourage your child to practise this pose every day in the morning, at least for 15-20 minutes. 

How to perform?

• Sit on the ground cross-legged, and keep your back straight, in an upright position
• Align your spine, neck, and head in a straight line
• Put your palm on your knees facing up the roof
• Close your eyes and take deep breaths. Make sure that you are aware of every breath

Benefits

• Encourages creativity 
• Reduces anxiety
• Improves body posture
• Enhances concentration 
• Sharpens memory

Pose 4 – Virabhadrasana (Warrior Pose)

Yoga poses promote overall physical and mental well-being, unlike lifting weights in the gym or doing other forms of exercise that focus only on a specific part of the body. And this warrior pose is a testament to it. It promotes discipline, tenacity, and mental focus. 

How to perform?

• First, stand in a straight position
• Lunge forward by putting just one foot forward. The front leg must be arched at a 90-degree angle
• Bring your back foot forward and keep it flat on the ground at a 45-degree angle 
• Square your hips, raise your arms, and spread them wide open
• Inhale and exhale slowly
• Stay in this position for about 2-3 minutes and repeat the same process with the other leg

Benefits

• Improves body balance and posture
• Relieves stress and anxiety
• Improves creative thinking capacity
• Builds concentration

Pose 5 – Balasana (Child Pose)

Did you know that a child’s stance represents the fetus in the mother’s womb? It is the only place in the world where the child can be truly relaxed and comfortable. Balasana is, therefore, considered a wonderful yoga pose for kids to relieve stress and improve mental focus. 

How to perform?

• First, sit on your knees
• Now rest your arms behind your back and lock your hands near the feet
• Stretch your body and head forward. Rest your head on the floor
• Stay in the same position for 2-3 minutes

Benefits

• Releases stress
• Relaxes the spine and the back
• Improves gut health

Practising yoga is a habit that you must help your child develop from a young age. This way, they can continue to practice it even when they grow up and reap its benefits during the growing years.