Why Teens Can Benefit From Yoga Exercise

Yoga has become popular for teenagers just as it has for adults.  Not only is good for your teen physically, but there are plenty of great benefits that your teenager can glean from yoga classes that will help him or her now and later in life.
Much of the philosophy of yoga centers on a healthy spine and the balance that creates a calm mind.  Yoga is designed to stimulate the nerves of the spine so that the space between the vertebras increases.  This allows energy to flow freely, the blood to circulate properly, and the different systems of the body to operate at their optimum potential.

During puberty and the teenage years, teens are subject to huge changes in their bodies, whether they are physical, mental, or hormonal.  The chakras in yoga, that are the different energies of the body, are also thought to be developing and becoming active.  If the chakras are not in balance, then a teen may suffer from mood swings, rebellion, and other negative motions.  Yoga helps to balance the chakras so that the body can remain in harmony.  If the inner spirit is healthy and strong, then the mind and the body can be strong as well.  Yoga is about the balance of the entire body.

It is both scary and depressing at how many teenagers are living unhealthy lifestyles, since these lifestyles can directly affect how they will feel as adults.  By doing yoga regularly, teenagers can see many health benefits.  Yoga can help with the monthly cramping of the menstrual cycle, headaches caused by energy blocks or sinus issues, and even irritability or digestive problems. 

At the same time, teenagers are also growing through the last of their dramatic growth spurts.  This puts stress on the physical body as muscles, tendons, and ligaments are stretched.  Regular yoga practice can help to relieve the aches and pains caused by this happening.

Many teens are involved sports, either through school or outside of it.  Strength and endurance training are often on the top of the list of priorities, but many teenage athletes fail to see the importance of flexibility.  Yoga can help with stretches, improving strength and balance, and allow an athlete to become more flexible.  This flexibility will reduce the chances of an athlete suffering from an injury during their sport of choice.

Teenagers are stressed.  This time of their life is full of changes in their physical bodies as well as in their every day life.  They face new challenges as the family expects more out of them, school gets progressively harder, and they are faced with the real dilemma of planning their own future.  Yoga can help a teenager to relax and focus as well as provide ways to reduce the stress.
Many teenagers feel uncomfortable with their new and changing bodies.  During a time when physical appearances are constantly critiqued by themselves and their peers, many teens become uncomfortable.  The yoga philosophy is that the body is to be cared for.  Boys can appreciate the muscles built in yoga, while girls can feel more graceful.