Getting Teenagers Interested in Yoga

To get teens excited about yoga, it helps to show that it can be enjoyable and social. First, let them see that yoga is a perfect way to take a break from screens. Explain how even a few minutes of yoga can be like hitting the reset button for your brain. It is not just about the poses; it is also about taking time out to relax. This can be very appealing for teens who are used to being online a lot.

Another great way is to make yoga a way to hang out with friends. Suggest group classes or yoga challenges they can do together. This makes it fun and social. Teens might be more willing to try yoga if they see it as a cool thing to do with their friends.

Creating the Right Environment for Yoga

At Providence Pass, we know how important it is to create the right space for yoga. This means having a place that is quiet, where teens can focus without distractions. The temperature should be comfortable, not too hot or cold. Soft lighting can also help to make the environment more relaxing. Sometimes, playing calm music or nature sounds in the background can make the yoga experience more enjoyable. Here is what we think makes a great yoga space:

• A quiet, clean area where you will not be interrupted.
• The room should be warm but not too hot.
• Natural light is best, but if that is not possible, soft lighting will do.
• Calming background music or sounds can help you relax.

Yoga Poses Suitable for Teens

Yoga is a journey of self-discovery that is accessible to all, including teens at any level of fitness or flexibility. Here’s a guide to some simple poses that are perfect for those just starting out:

• Tadasana (Mountain Pose): Stand tall with your feet together, breathe deeply, and reach your hands towards the sky. Feel your feet root down into the earth as you stretch upwards, creating space in your spine.
• Tabletop Pose: On your hands and knees, align your wrists under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. This pose builds a strong foundation and helps align the body correctly for other activities.
• Downward Facing Dog: With hands and feet on the mat, lift your hips up and back, creating an inverted ‘V’ shape with your body. This classic pose rejuvenates the body and strengthens the core.
• Child’s Pose: Kneel on the floor, touch your big toes together, sit on your heels, then lay your torso down between your thighs and stretch your arms forward. This resting pose centers, calms, and soothes the brain, making it a therapeutic posture for relieving stress.
• Warrior II: Step one foot back, bend your front knee, and raise your arms to shoulder height, reaching them out to the sides. This powerful stance builds focus, power, and stability.
• Tree Pose: Stand on one leg, bring the other foot’s sole to the inner thigh, and balance. This pose helps improve concentration and balance.
• Bridge Pose: Lying on your back, bend your knees and lift your hips, creating a bridge with your body. This pose strengthens the back muscles and opens the chest.
• Corpse Pose (Savasana): Lie flat on your back, with arms and legs comfortably apart, palms facing up. Close your eyes and breathe deeply, allowing your body to relax completely. It’s an essential pose for relaxation and stress relief.
• Easy Pose (Sukhasana): Sit with your legs crossed, hands on knees, spine straight, and breathe deeply. This classic meditative pose promotes an experience of peacefulness and calm.

Incorporating Yoga into Recovery Programs

At Providence Pass, yoga is an integral part of our approach to recovery. Within our adolescent intensive outpatient program and mental health services, we introduce yoga as a therapeutic tool to help our teens navigate the complexities of their emotions and experiences. It’s not just about physical practice rather it’s about creating a balance between the mind and body.

In our programs, we help our teens understand how yoga can be a practical tool in their recovery. Through guided sessions, our participants learn how to apply the principles of yoga to everyday challenges, using it to foster resilience and self-awareness. The practice of yoga, combined with our comprehensive recovery programs, empowers our teens to grow stronger not just physically but emotionally and spiritually as well.