Yoga helps alleviate stress and allows the anxious child to become centered and calm, while promoting self-confidence through balancing and strengthening asanas.
Yoga is an effective practice for anxious children because it soothes their bodies’ stress response. Yoga can lessen the feelings of anxiety and stress in the mind, which gives the body the signal to slow down all the physiological arousals. A calm mind translates to a calm breathing pattern, a slower heart rate, and lower blood pressure. In addition, when children with anxiety engage in a regular a Yoga practice, they become more confident in themselves and in the strength they possess.
Studies noted by Harvard Health Publications showed yoga to be an effective tool for alleviating anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and even bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.