Keeping Fit Includes Your Kids
When I became a mother, there was no greater feeling in the world. But as my children started to grow, I wanted to ensure that they maintain a healthy lifestyle. For me, it wasn’t hard getting my girls to go run around in the backyard or even walk around the neighborhood because, as a former athlete, my body was conditioned to be active prior to having children. However, I know there are many moms who didn’t play sports or even if they did once in their life finding the time to do any activity some days can be challenging. I’ve heard so many women ask me, “How do I find the time?” My answer is simple, “I just make time.” I’m a stay at home mom, but being a personal trainer I have a rigorous schedule sometimes, which can be challenging, but I make sure to find time to do physical activity with my girls.
Whether I’m indoors playing hide and seek with them, or helping them pick up little crates to move from one shelf to the next- if they are moving around and working those limbs, they are keeping fit.
Ever since they were born I’ve been, believe it or not, training their bodies to get fit. I would move their limbs around as an infant for approx. 10-15 minutes throughout the day. Or even have them laying right next to me moving on their baby mat, or bouncer as I did certain core circuits. They watched and were learning at a such a young age. Then when they started moving more, I started doing yoga poses with them. We would practice different breathing techniques & poses on Thursdays and even sometimes before bedtime. As time progressed, I found this helped them in other extra curricular activities they were involved with so I continued to engage in yoga with them. They’ve gotten so used to moving around & getting fit with Mommy that yesterday after gymnastics practice they ran in the backyard and asked if we can practice some yoga. We did breathing techniques(pranayama), tree other different poses. We had so much fun and it was a great activity to do with them to help hem unwind and relax before starting homework. In just 15 minutes, we did some form of physical activity.
Remember that any little movement is physical activity. Whether it’s playing hide and seek, walking up a flight of stairs, picking up crates with toys/books and placing them on the shelves, or engaging in different yoga poses & techniques. Their lives are in your hands and it’s up to you as their parent(s) to help them stay healthy by keeping them fit in some way. They won’t be little for long, so enjoy every moment spent with them!
Benefits of yoga for kids:
helps them relax, unwind, and calm down to reduce stress and anxiety
promotes interaction between adult and child, and between multiple children
develops self-confidence, self-expression, and body awareness
increases strength and flexibility
promotes a healthy, active lifestyle
Visit http://www.pbs.org/parents/food-and-fitness/sport-and-fitness/why-yoga-and-kids-go-together/ for more information on benefits of yoga for kids as well as adults.
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Wiande Everett
