Can Twelve Year Olds Do Yoga (See What The Experts Say)

  • By: Mugen Seki
  • Date: March 3, 2023
  • Time to read: 9 min.

There are many different types of yoga, and some are more physically demanding than others. So, if your child is interested in trying yoga, it’s important to find a class that is appropriate for their age and ability level.

Most twelve-year-olds are able to do basic yoga poses without too much difficulty. However, they may not be ready for more advanced poses or longer classes. 

Keep reading to learn more about how to choose the right yoga class for your twelve-year-old.

Key Takeaways

  • Twelve-year-olds can do yoga as long as they have the proper guidance and supervision.
  • Yoga can help improve flexibility, strength, and focus for twelve-year-olds.
  • Twelve-year-olds should start with basic yoga poses and work their way up to more difficult poses.
  • Yoga can be a fun and healthy activity for twelve-year-olds to do with friends or family.
  • Twelve year olds should always listen to their bodies and stop doing a pose if they feel any pain or discomfort.
mom and child doing yoga
Can Twelve-Year-Olds Do Yoga

Here’s The Answer To Can Twelve-Year-Olds Do Yoga

As a yoga teacher, I often get asked if twelve-year-olds can do yoga. Yes, but while teaching yoga to this age range, there are a few things to bear in mind.

  • It’s important to have the right props. A yoga mat is a must, and I also recommend having a few blankets or towels on hand. Yoga props help kids feel more comfortable and stable in the poses.
  • Be aware of the attention span of tweens. They may be able to stay focused for longer than younger children, but they are still easily distracted by electronic devices and other stimuli. To keep their attention during class, I like to start with a brief relaxation at the beginning of class and end with a short meditation. In between, I mix up the pace of the class with some energizing vinyasa sequences interspersed with slower-paced postures and breathing techniques.
  • Don’t forget about the mind-body connection. For tweens who are dealing with stressors such as ADHD or impulsivity, yoga can be a great way to help them learn to control their bodies and minds. In addition to physical postures, massage and relaxation techniques can be helpful for managing stress levels.

Twelve-Year-Olds Can Do Yoga If They Have The Permission Of A Parent Or Guardian

young girls doing yoga with a teacher
Twelve-Year-Olds Can Do Yoga If They Have The Permission Of A Parent Or Guardian

Twelve-year-olds can do yoga if they have the permission of a parent or guardian.

  • Parental permission is required
  • Parental supervision is required
  • Parental guidance is required

They Should Start With Simple Poses And Breathing Exercises

If your child is interested in trying yoga, you should start with simple poses and breathing exercises. Yoga is perfect for those who need to relax and get back into shape. It can also help relieve stress and improve sleep quality.

Yoga doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive; you can do it anywhere, from a studio to your own home.

Yoga Can Help Improve Flexibility, Strength, And Balance In Twelve-Year Old Kids

When you’re young, you’re naturally flexible because your body is still growing and developing. As a child grows older, their joints become less flexible, and it becomes more difficult for them to do certain movements such as bending over or touching the toes.

Yoga helps with this by strengthening muscles while stretching them out at the same time so they don’t get tight like they can when not doing yoga regularly enough.

If a child practices yoga every day for a few months straight without missing any classes, then there’s no reason why they couldn’t be just as bendy as any other kid, sometimes even more.

It Can Also Help With Concentration And Focus In Twelve-Year-Old Kids

mom and child doing yoga on floor
It Can Also Help With Concentration And Focus In Twelve-Year-Old Kids

Yoga can also help with concentration and focus in twelve-year-olds. It has been a long-held belief that yoga helps people to focus, but it is only recently that researchers have begun to gather data on the exact benefits of yoga in terms of concentration and focus.

The results so far are overwhelming. There is some evidence that practicing yoga helps improve focus and concentration in 12-year-old children.

A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that yoga improved attention and working memory in a group of twelve-year-old girls.

The girls who participated in the study had better performance on tests of attention and working memory after eight weeks of practicing yoga compared to a control group who did not practice yoga.

As They Get More Comfortable, They Can Try More Advanced Poses

“In general, kids aren’t ready for ‘advanced’ yoga poses until their bodies have matured enough to support those movements,” says Leisa Trestour.

When your child is ready for advanced moves, an instructor will help you determine what’s best for them. There’s no need to push your child into anything that feels uncomfortable or unnatural—if it hurts, it probably won’t lead to better posture or strength.

If your child isn’t quite ready for advanced poses yet (or if you just want some ideas), here are some beginner activities:

The Benefits Of Yoga For Twelve-Year-Olds

young kids doing yoga
The Benefits Of Yoga For Twelve-Year-Olds
  • You can get fit with yoga. Yoga is a fantastic way to lengthen and strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and balance, build strength, burn calories, and tone muscles.
  • It will help with concentration and focus. The practice of yoga helps kids learn how to focus their attention on one thing while they are doing another activity like playing soccer or dancing (two other activities that children enjoy doing). This ability is helpful when looking at a book or doing homework because they will be able to keep their eyes fixed on the page instead of getting distracted by something else happening in the room around them.
  • Yoga will help with coordination skills such as jumping jacks or running in place while balancing on one foot which helps with balance as well as coordination, so if your child wants to try out for sports teams, then this might be something worth looking into before signing up for an expensive private coach.

“It’s not just about physical fitness,” says Zoë Jane Mitchell Yoga Center in New York City. “We want kids who come through our doors to see themselves represented here: Black girls who love hip-hop; Asian boys who love video games.”

The Different Types Of Yoga That Are Appropriate For Twelve-Year Olds

Yoga comes in a wide variety of forms, all of which are suitable for 12-year-olds. The type of yoga that is best for a twelve-year-old depends on the child’s physical and mental abilities, as well as their interests.

  • Hatha Yoga is the most popular type of yoga. It is a gentle form of yoga that focuses on slow and controlled movements. Hatha Yoga is a good choice for twelve-year-olds who are just starting to practice yoga or for those who want to focus on increasing their flexibility.
  • Vinyasa Yoga is a more active form of yoga that includes flowing movements and Sun Salutations. Vinyasa Yoga is a good choice for twelve-year-olds who are already physically active or for those who want to increase their strength and endurance.
  • Iyengar Yoga is a type of yoga that emphasizes precision and alignment in poses. Iyengar Yoga is a good choice for twelve-year-olds who are looking for a challenge or for those who want to improve their balance and coordination.
  • Yin Yoga is a slow and passive form of yoga that focuses on lengthening the connective tissues around the joints. Yin Yoga is a good choice for twelve-year-olds who want to focus on relaxation and stress relief.

The Risks And Dangers Of Yoga For Twelve-Year-Olds

a young girl doing yoga
The Risks And Dangers Of Yoga For Twelve-Year-Olds

It’s important to note that before you, your child, or anyone else decides to start doing yoga, there are some risks and dangers that should be considered. First and foremost, it must be understood that yoga is not a competition.

  • The goal of yoga is not to see who can hold the pose the longest or do the most advanced positions. While some may enjoy this aspect of practicing with their peers or instructors
  • It should not become an obsession for which students push themselves too hard or feel discouraged if they cannot reach certain poses.
  • It is also important for teachers and parents alike to remember that children are still growing physically, so care needs to be taken when performing certain movements in order to avoid injury.
  • Children should never attempt any pose unless they are properly supervised by an adult who knows how to properly instruct them on how they should position themselves during exercise.

If possible, we recommend taking classes together as a family but making sure each member understands what he or she is capable of doing before attempting anything outside his/her comfort zone.

Guidelines For Parents Of Twelve-Year-Olds Who Want To Start Doing Yoga

More and more people are looking to yoga as a way to improve their physical and mental health. This is especially true for parents of twelve-year-olds who want to start doing yoga.

There are a few things that parents should keep in mind when it comes to their child starting yoga.

  • It is important to make sure that your child is physically ready for yoga. This means that they should be able to perform all of the basic poses without any pain or discomfort. Before beginning yoga, it’s crucial to speak with a doctor if your child is in any pain or discomfort.
  • It is important to find a reputable yoga studio or instructor for your child. Yoga comes in a variety of forms, so it’s crucial to locate a teacher that specializes in working with kids. Once you have found an instructor, it is important to sit down with them and discuss your child’s goals and expectations for a yoga class.
  • It is important to encourage your child to be patient and consistent with their yoga practice. Learning how to practice yoga will have its ups and downs, just like anything else in life. It is important for your child to understand that the key to success is consistency and patience.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many benefits of yoga for twelve-year-olds. It’s important for parents to understand that if their child has any preexisting medical conditions or is taking any medications, they should consult with their doctor before trying this new activity.

Yes, twelve-year-olds can do yoga. Yoga is a great way for kids to stay active and improve their flexibility. There are many benefits of yoga for kids, including improved concentration and stress relief.

If you’re looking for a new activity for your tween, consider giving yoga a try. There are many classes available for kids of all levels, so it’s easy to find one that’s right for your child. And who knows, you might just end up enjoying it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should twelve-year-olds do yoga?

Yoga can be done every day, but it is important to start slowly and build up gradually. A good rule of thumb is to do yoga 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

I am flexible, does that mean I will be good at yoga?

No, not necessarily. There are many people who are very flexible but cannot do yoga because they lack the strength and balance required for some of the yoga poses.

Should I bring my own mat or use one provided by the studio?

If you have your own mat, it is recommended to bring it with you. This way, you can be sure that the mat is clean and free of any dirt or bacteria.

Can twelve-year-old children take yoga classes at a studio that offers adult classes?

Yes, twelve-year-old children can take yoga classes at a studio that offers adult classes. However, it is important to check with the studio in advance to make sure that the class is appropriate for your child’s level of experience and fitness.

MugenSeki

My name is Mugen Seki, and I’m a painter and yoga enthusiast who is passionate about bringing together art and exercise in ways that help people connect with their inner selves. When I’m not painting, I’m practicing yoga. And when I’m not doing either of those things, I’m usually thinking about them.