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Here is an overview that looks
at the full scope of yoga practices in relation to age:

Easy "I AM" meditation can be practiced upon reaching 12-13. The
suggestion is to start out with 10 minutes maximum per twice-daily
sitting. If there is an undesirable result, too much purification,
then less time, or none, should be used until a year or two later,
and then try again. Too much purification is usually noticeable as
irritability and/or dullness in daily activity. Of course, with
teenagers and new hormones flowing, that may be happening anyway.
Daily meditation in the right dosage can be a help.

Note: Excessive purification can happen if the nervous system is very
sensitive to meditation, which indicates a high spiritual
sensitivity -- a good thing, but it should be handled carefully using
the principles of "self-pacing" covered in the lessons. Such extreme
sensitivity is uncommon, but it does happen, so the caution flag is
here for that. See lessons #160 and #200 for an example of extreme
sensitivity, and the utilization of self-pacing to handle it.

Once age 18 is reached, the time of meditation can be inched up 5
minutes at a time over several months to 20 minutes, as comfortable.
By this time, the young practitioner will have an established
interest, or not, depending on individual karma and desire. Don't
force it. At this stage, it will be as much the inner condition of
the young practitioner that will determine the path as what the
parent can offer. Many children will drop meditation for a variety of
reasons. But the seed is planted. The rest will be up to individual
desire in relation to the flow of nature and karma. This is true for
all of us, yes? The good news is that the spiritual tide is rising
everywhere. Everyone is becoming more attuned to their inner
transformation. So, any seeds that are planted these days are certain
to germinate and grow to full blossom -- if not here and now, then
somewhere along the glimmering road of this life, or perhaps the next
one. Our gift will not be wasted.

Light nadi shodana pranayama (alternate nostril breathing) can be
used by teenagers before meditation for 5 minutes, or so. It is a
common practice that can be learned almost anywhere -- it is covered
in the AYP book too. Nadi shodana can also be used in short sessions
by pre-teens (without meditation) if emotions need some soothing
influence. Alternate nostril breathing of 5-10 minutes several times
per day is good for that.

At age 18, nadi shodana can be replaced with spinal breathing,
inching the time up as appropriate, as discussed in the lessons.
Advanced pranayama-related methods (including spinal breathing,
kumbhaka, mudras, bandhas, chin pump, spinal bastrika, etc.) are for
expanding the sexual function upward into higher manifestation in the
nervous system, and that is why techniques beyond easy meditation and
light nadi shodana should not be used until puberty is past.
Spiritual transformation in the nervous system, expanding neuro-
biological functioning to express divine ecstasy, is like a second
puberty in many respects. One puberty at a time is enough! For some,
taking on full practices may be best much later than 18 years old.
For others sooner may be okay. Everyone is different, and you should
use your best judgment in making suggestions on this. Once spinal
breathing and meditation are progressive and stable, then going step
by step through the full range of practices can be undertaken
according to one's desire (bhakti) and capacity (self-pacing). This
is the adult stage, of course.

Light asanas can be undertaken, using good common sense, at any age.
Once sitting practice/meditation is begun, then asanas can be done
right before that. Asanas can be learned almost anywhere these days,
with children's classes becoming quite common. An "asana starter kit"
is also included in the AYP book.

Regarding our youngest children, sharing our own rising inner silence
in the form of overflowing loving service is the ideal yoga for them.
They will benefit greatly, and be ready for practices when the time
comes, according to their own inclinations. Obviously, we cannot
dictate what another's inclinations will be -- even our own
children's. Everyone has their own journey to make. We can help a
lot, but we can't do it all for them. Let's be careful not to hem our
kids into a practice routine that is not natural for them. Remember,
it is their inner silence that will ultimately determine their path
more than anything else.

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Originally posted by enlightenmealready

At what age should children be introduced to meditation?

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