Cleveland Experts Share Benefits of Yoga for Kids, Emphasizing Relaxation and Mindfulness

CLEVELAND, OH — With September marking National Yoga Month, local experts are highlighting the many benefits yoga can offer children, both physically and mentally. Dr. Gina Robinson, a pediatrician with Cleveland Clinic Children’s, has pointed out that yoga is an effective way for kids to stay active and practice mindfulness, while Marni Task, a Yoga Leader with The Yoga Room in Cleveland’s Little Italy, emphasizes its ability to calm the nervous system, which can lead to better sleep, creativity, and overall well-being.

According to Dr. Robinson, children aged six and up should be getting at least one hour of physical activity each day, and yoga is a fun and engaging way for them to achieve this goal. "It's a good way to get moving. It helps with flexibility. It helps with strength. But it also helps with mindfulness," she said. Yoga not only improves physical strength and flexibility but also teaches mindfulness through deep breathing exercises, which help children manage stress and anxiety.

Marni Task, a well-known figure in the Cleveland yoga community, echoed these sentiments. "One of the best things yoga can do for us is calm our nervous system, and when your nervous system is calm, you can think straight, you can be creative, and you can actually go to sleep at night," Task said. She noted that some parents mistakenly believe their children can't do yoga because they have trouble sitting still. However, Task assured parents that yoga doesn’t require stillness—children can engage in yoga by moving their hands, raising their arms, or placing a hand on their belly to practice breathing techniques.

Task, who also owns Indu Lotion, a local natural skincare brand known for its relaxing properties, believes that calming the mind is essential for both parents and children. “When the mind slows down, everybody relaxes; parent, child, everybody everywhere,” she said. Task demonstrated simple breathing and movement techniques in a video for Cleveland 13 News, available on their website, to show how children can incorporate yoga into their routines. These breathing techniques, she explained, can help children slow their minds, manage their emotions, and sleep better at night.

Dr. Robinson encourages parents to lead by example and engage in yoga alongside their children. "We are the best example for our children. So, when we want our kids to participate in things, we want them to try new things, a lot of times it helps if we do it with them," she said. Working together to find activities that children enjoy—whether it’s yoga, riding a bike, or another form of exercise—makes them more likely to meet their daily activity goals.

Yoga is more than just physical exercise; it offers an accessible way for children to learn important skills for managing stress and improving focus. With National Yoga Month underway, it’s the perfect time for parents and children to explore yoga’s many benefits together.