Recently I wrote an article for Radical Parenting which is a parenting site written by teens and gives you the straight facts on how to raise a teen in today’s crazy, mixed up world. The site is managed by Vanessa Van Petten, who manages 80 teen writers as they share life through their eyes and what they really need from their parents in order to succeed. The site covers everything from study hints to the latest teen trends and issues and promises to keep it real, challenge what you think you know, provide tried and true advice from those in the trenches, and help teens and parents navigate the teenage years as harmoniously as possible.

Shari wasn’t happy. She wasn’t popular, didn’t have a boyfriend, didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life, and felt alone much of the time even though she was surrounded by friends. Then Shari’s Mom enrolled her in a yoga class. In a matter of a few weeks Shari began to walk taller, feel stronger, and know that she could accomplish anything she set her mind to. She began to attract positive people and experiences into her life and spent most of her day smiling and feeling good about herself. As Shari practiced yoga her self-confidence grew. She knew herself better and was certain her future would be bright no matter what it held.

Here are a few ways in which yoga helped Shari and will help you feel good about yourself and know you can handle anything life brings your way…

Read the rest here.

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A teen’s life is full of change, stress, peer conflicts, relationships, academics, part-time jobs, life altering decisions, and discovering oneself. Yoga can be instrumental in assisting teens in becoming their best selves and dealing with the daily challenges of this chaotic time of life.

There are three principle areas in which yoga can benefit teenagers: Physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Physically

Teenagers’ bodies are undergoing tremendous changes. Their hormones are all over the place and they are going from children’s sizes to adult sizes in everything from shoes to dinner entries. Yoga helps teens deal with these radical changes. By strengthening the body as it grows, the proper form and alignment is created. Yoga helps tone the entire body including the key core muscles which will aid in coordination, balance and good posture. Natural flexibility is also improved as yoga lengthens muscles and increases mobility in the joints. Additionally yoga will help equalize energy. It helps to revitalize low energy and tempers hyperactivity which leads to more even moods and energy levels. Another way yoga helps teens is to develop healthy sleeping patterns. Yoga helps regulate sleep/wake rhythms allowing for deeper, more restful sleep and a greater sense of vitality when awake. This is especially helpful for teens as they are busy growing and need all the rest they can get.

Mentally

The number one way yoga helps teens mentally is with creating a healthy body image. Yoga focuses on an internal perspective. As teens recognize their attributes and begin to value their contributions they value themselves more. They develop gratitude for what their body can do and are less critical of themselves and others. They then transfer this inner work to their outer body and see themselves in a more positive light. Yoga also helps develop discipline and will power. Introspection leads to an understanding of self on a deeper level with clarity coming for what is important and of value. As teens recognize these life goals, they learn to say ‘no’ to destructive behaviours and ‘yes’ to positive ones. This is very powerful and will help them make choices that respect who they are, and what they truly want from life, instead of making choices based on following their peers or on rebelling from their parents.

Emotionally

Reducing stress is one of yoga’s greatest benefits and it applies to teens as well. Teen’s lives are packed with stress. School, exams, schedules, peers, girl/boy friends, family relationships, their future, etc . are all vying for attention. Yoga helps by decreasing the stress response while increasing the production of feel good hormones such as oxytocin. This change in hormones and neurotransmitters results in improved mood and sense of well-being. In addition, yoga increases compassion. Learning to live with peace, love and kindness for self and others is a crucial aspect of yoga practice. Yoga builds upon teen’s connections with others and the world through partner poses and breathing exercises. Yoga also allows teens to unplug. In our technologically driven world permission to turn it off and rest is vital. This time is crucial to understanding the chaotic world in which they live.

This is a general overview of some of the benefits yoga offers to teens which are specific to their needs, lives and unique life situations. For a full discussion of the many benefits of yoga for teens listen to this audio podcast. Or follow this checklist for All You Need to Do to Have a Rockin’ Teen Yoga Class and start bringing teens the benefits of yoga today.

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