What age can you practice Yoga?

There is no age limit to practice Yoga, from young children to older adults, everyone can do it! Some Yoga poses are named after the poses infants and children make when young; Happy Baby and Child’s Pose for example.

Depending on your age, you may prefer one style of Yoga over another. Yoga can be done slowly and gently, or fast and dynamic or seated in a chair or using props. Making Yoga accessible to all ages and abilities.

When looking for classes that are based around ages, it’s important make sure the class is right for you or your child(ren). Children can start practicing as young as 3 years old, although infants and young children still have the natural ability, strength and flexibility to move their bodies into postures without even knowing it.

Infants and toddlers (0-3 years): Yoga for this age group is done with the parents present or involved. The class will focus on playful movement, gentle guidance and helping the infants and toddlers with fun and usually themed sessions like animals or using sensory toys.

Young Children (3-7 years): Classes are based around being fun, playful, using their imagination to complete their movements and simple poses. The sessions may touch on mindfulness, breathing and being still. Fun, interact games and props can be used too.

Children and Teens (8-16 years): Children around this age are more capable of understanding instructions and engaging with the practice. Sessions will still be fun and playful but the postures maybe becoming more dynamic and structured. The sessions will go deeper into mindfulness, breathing and mediation.

Adults (including 16-18 years): The world of Yoga is open to you. There are many different styles to choose from so depending on what you would like from a class you can practice:

Yin - a slow-paced style of Yoga that involves holding passive, floor-based poses for a few minutes at a time.

Restorative - a gentle, slower-paced practice that focuses on deep relaxation and rest, by holding poses for extended periods with the support of props like bolsters, blankets and blocks.

Ashtanga - a dynamic style that repeats progressive series of postures whilst synchronising the breath.

Hatha - a traditional and foundational style of Yoga that focuses on physical postures and breathing techniques to align and balance the body, mind and spirit.

Vinyasa - a dynamic and flowing style of Yoga where movements are synchronised with the breath.

Chair - a modified style of Yoga that adapts traditional poses to be performed whilst seated, making Yoga accessible to people with limited mobility, injuries, or a preference for a more gentle practice.

It is never too late to start and many people begin practicing Yoga in retirement and beyond!