The following chart appears in YogaMinded’s book: Yoga 4 Teens, An Instructor’s Guide to Teaching Yoga to Teenagers. Use of this material beyond the scope of this website is prohibited as it is owned and copyrighted by YogaMinded.
| P H Y S I C A L B E N E F I T S | |
| Strength | builds strength of muscles and bones |
| Flexibility | lengthens muscles to increase mobility in the joints |
| Improved Posture | develops understanding of body mechanics, healthy movement patterns, and ideal postural alignment |
| Ability to Relax | develops the skill of non-action and the awareness to physically relax |
| Breath Awareness | draws attention to the breath as a reflection of state of mind and as a tool to elicit relaxation and focus |
| Stability and Balance | provides physical experiences that ask the body to continually re-establish balance, which develops coordination and prevents injury |
| Equalizes Energy | revitalizes low energy and tempers hyperactivity |
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M E N T A L B E N E F I T S
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| Stress Management | allows teens to experience a sense of space around their concerns (including what others think) and provides techniques for redirecting thoughts and calming the nervous system |
| Decision Making | teaches teens to make choices that respect themselves and others |
| Concentration | develops one’s ability to focus through practical disciplines of breath and bodywork |
| Healthy Body Image | provides a strengthened internal perspective; helps self-image develop free of media and other cultural influences |
| Acceptance | cultivates gratitude for what the body can do; enables letting go of the tendency to be critical of one’s self and judgmental of others |
| Curiosity | provides a healthy way to experiment, take risks, and explore the body |
| S P I R I T U A L B E N E F I T S | |
| Compassion | opens us to our greater qualities of kindness, compassion, and nonviolence |
| Connection | cultivates interconnectedness between ourselves, others, and the natural world around us |
| Presence | heightens awareness and cultivates emotional connection while combating both numbness and drama |
| Intuition | encourages self-trust by valuing one’s internal voice |