Ep #15 Kids Yoga and Mindfulness for Kids, with Jeanne Welsh

Welcome to the How To Die Happy podcast, where we explore the art of living well, dying happy, and everything in between. In this episode, we dive into the world of kids' yoga and mindfulness with Jeanne Welsh, a specialist in teaching yoga and mindfulness to children.

For many of us, the concept of yoga might seem like foreign territory, let alone yoga for kids. However, studies reveal that only 10% of American adults practice yoga, less than 1% of Brits, and an estimated 300 million worldwide, with 72% being female. That's a small percentage of the world's population. So, when it comes to yoga for kids, it might seem like we're a way off from considering it as a means to help our children grow in mind, body, and spirit.

As we discovered in this episode, teaching yoga and mindfulness to kids is an entirely specialist field. Jeanne Welsh teaches yoga and mindfulness to kids and their respective adults and trains yoga teachers how to teach kids specifically. Jeanne explains that kids' yoga isn't just about giving kids a structured outlet for their pent-up energy. Mindfulness practice for kids eases anxiety, doubt, and confusion, improves concentration and attention span, and increases a child's focus and memory capacity. And there isn't a screen in sight.

"We are experiencing a global public health crisis in youth mental health that began long before the pandemic".

— Tami D. Benton, MD.

According to Psychology Today, children now spend half as much time outdoors as they did before 1992. Kids between 8 & 18 spend 7 hours and 38 minutes using entertainment media in a typical day. That's a whole workday for many adults. While only 6% of kids play outside on their own. Additionally, in 2018 in the USA, 1.9 million kids aged 3 – 17 were diagnosed with depression. Worldwide, children's depression and anxiety have doubled since 2019.

Depression, suicide, and other mental illnesses are rising among young people. Studies indicate that almost a quarter of teenage girls display depressive symptoms, and over two-thirds of teenagers taking antidepressants are girls. Suicide is now the third leading cause of death for 12-18 year-olds and the fourth leading cause of death among 15-19 year-olds.

Jeanne explains that we're at a pivotal moment where our children inherit trauma from parents who've not healed themselves. Meanwhile, the medical system is hell-bent on prescribing pharmaceuticals over natural, holistic techniques to improve kids' well-being. "I want to empower young minds with the skills to be in touch with their inner being and become the best they can be", says Jeanne.

Teaching yoga and mindfulness to kids from a young age can be truly transformative in many areas of a child's life, allowing them to process emotions and energy in a completely new way. It can be especially beneficial for children who may have experienced trauma or other significant adversities. The practice of emotional regulation can benefit kids by providing a sense of calmness and control over their emotional responses.

If you have kids or know of kids who might benefit from learning yoga and mindfulness, or you're interested in what yoga and mindfulness practice for kids is like, then you'll love this episode. Delivered with the usual balance of serious and light-hearted fun, stories and practical utilities are packed into this podcast.

In conclusion, the rise of depression, suicide, and other mental illnesses in young people is a concerning trend. However, studies show that mindfulness practices for children and young adults can significantly reduce the severity of these issues. So, let's explore the world of kids' yoga and mindfulness and empower our children with the skills to be in touch with their inner being and become the best they can be.