The physical benefits of yoga for teens are quite similar to the benefits of yoga for adults. ... Yoga builds strength, increases flexibility, lengthens the muscles, increases coordination and balance, builds core stability, and can help students' posture rebound from a day hunched over a desk (or a smartphone!).
Physical Benefits of Yoga
Strength — builds strength of muscles and bones
Flexibility — lengthens muscles to increase mobility in the joints
Improved Posture — develops understanding of body mechanics, healthy movement patterns, and ideal postural alignment
Ability to Relax — develops the skill of non-action and the awareness to physically relax
Breath Awareness — draws attention to the breath as a reflection of state of mind and as a tool to elicit relaxation and focus
Stability and Balance — provides physical experiences that ask the body to continually re-establish balance, which develops coordination and prevents injury
Equalizes Energy — revitalizes low energy and tempers hyperactivity , Mental Benefits of Yoga
Stress-Management — allows teens to experience a sense of space around their concerns (including what others think) and provides techniques for redirecting thoughts and calming the nervous system
Improved Decision Making — teaches teens to make choices that respect themselves and others
Concentration — develops one’s ability to focus through practical disciplines of breath and bodywork
Healthy Body Image — provides a strengthened internal perspective; helps self-image develop free of media and other cultural influences
Acceptance — cultivates gratitude for what the body can do; enables letting go of the tendency to be critical of one’s self and judgmental of others
Curiosity — provides a healthy way to experiment, take risks, and explore the body