We all know the benefits of exercise. It can improve our physical and mental health and help expand our social circles. Its as close to a panacea as were likely to get.

Its also the best way to get children to use that boundless energy for personal good rather than public destruction.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a week, plus muscle-strengthening exercise two days a week. Children and teens need even more exercise: At least 60 minutes each day, according to the CDC. Yet only 20 percent of adults and 25 percent of children ages 12 to 15 get the recommended amount of exercise.

We dont have the time. Were distracted by all those shiny devices. Were horrible about procrastinating. Were so busy shuttling our kids from soccer to swimming to art class that we cant seem to squeeze in our own fitness. (Guilty, on all counts.)

Whatever the reason, parents and children are not taking advantage of the one thing that can reliably make us feel better all around. So this is a call to time-strapped parents and children to put down their smartphones and tablets and get active together.

By exercising as a family, youll have a built-in support system. When dad is dragging after a long day at work, the 12-year-old can remind him that fitness is a family priority. If everyone is working together, the odds of being successful at reaching fitness goals are much greater, said David Buer, a personal trainer based in Atlanta. Family exercise can also give you a fun shared activity that can continue as kids age into those awkward teen years. You know, when they cant get far enough away from their oh-so-annoying parents.

Beyond the obvious health and physical benefits, its a bonding experience, Buer said. Youre leading by example and imprinting these healthy habits that potentially will last a lifetime. Its also great one-on-one time.

Were not talking about running a marathon with your 12-year-old next month, trying to keep up with your young lacrosse star on the field or buying a bunch of expensive equipment. You can choose an activity that is fun, inexpensive and (relatively) painless.

We spoke to local experts in six types of exercise that parents can do with their children. They shared tricks to keep the whining to a minimum and their favorite places to work up a sweat. Here are their suggestions on how to try biking, hiking, rock climbing, running, stand-up paddling and yoga as a family.

Biking

See the rest here:
Six options for family fitness, from rock-climbiing to yoga

By Deborah Neyens, correspondent

Andrea Parks yoga practice first helped her cope with the aches and discomfort of pregnancy. It later gave her some me time away from her three small children at home.

Six years ago, the high school German teacher started teaching others about the benefits of a yoga practice.

Yoga just made such a big difference in my life, she said of her decision to become a yoga instructor. I have a love of teaching anyway, and Im teaching something thats important to me.

In 2013, with her youngest daughter off to school, Parks began looking at potential spaces for her own yoga studio. She opened Toula Yoga in April.

While Toula Yoga offers traditional yoga classes for beginners to advanced yogis, Parks has a particular interest in working with children and people who have mobility issues. My mission is to open yoga to everybody. she said.

Parks, who is a certified yoga instructor through the Anusara School of Hatha Yoga, recently completed training in adaptive yoga. In an adaptive yoga class, the teacher adapts basic yoga poses to meet a students individual needs, often with the use of props like chairs, blocks and blankets.

Its useful for anyone who cant get down and up off the floor, she explained. I even have kids with cerebral palsy, and one spends most of the day in a wheelchair. She feels so much better and can breathe better when we get her body stretched out and in alignment.

Toula Yoga offers prenatal classes for expectant mothers, infant and toddler classes for caregiver and child, and kids-only classes by age group starting at age three.

I really wanted this to be a family place, Parks said, noting the benefits of yoga for children include increased focus, coordination and strength.

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Ground Floor: Making yoga accessible to all ages

Yoga has long been promoted as a method for improving physical and mental well-being. And although yoga is often suggested to asthma sufferers to help alleviate symptoms, a new study found little evidence that yoga will improve symptoms.

Researchers of the report, which is published in the June issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), examined 14 previously published studies to determine the effectiveness of yoga in the treatment of asthma.

"Many people practice yoga for its health benefits, including asthma sufferers," said Holger Cramer, PhD, lead author of the study. "We reviewed the available data to see if it made a difference and found only weak evidence that it does. Yoga can't be considered a routine intervention for patients with asthma at this time. But it can be considered an alternative to breathing exercises for asthma patients interested in complementary interventions."

In the review, 824 adults were part of 14 studies examined for evidence that yoga improves control, symptoms, quality of life and lung function in patients with asthma. Participants in the studies were from North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Because only one trial included children, the effects of yoga on children couldn't be evaluated.

"Many asthma sufferers look to complementary therapies, such as yoga, to help relieve their symptoms," said allergist Michael Foggs, MD, ACAAI president. "If yoga helps them to feel better and breathe better, patients should by all means practice it. At the same time, we don't advise that yoga be recommended to asthma sufferers as a treatment."

According to ACAAI, prevention is always the best strategy in controlling asthma symptoms. Asthma sufferers should work with their board-certified allergist to determine situations that prompt attacks and avoid these situations whenever possible. Asthma triggers can include exposure to allergens, respiratory infections and cold weather. If asthma attacks are severe, unpredictable or flare up more than twice a week, then asthma treatment with a long-term control medication is recommended. Long-term medications are preventive, taken daily and can achieve and maintain control of asthma symptoms. For people with allergic asthma, immunotherapy (allergy shots) may offer relief from symptoms prompted by allergens that act as triggers and cannot be avoided.

Story Source:

The above story is based on materials provided by American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

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No harm in yoga: But not much help for asthma sufferers, study finds