KID'S YOGA coming soon in October 2008

Children today are under a lot of stress. Homework, pressure to compete with other children, endless after-school activities. And just like their parents, kids today are turning to Yoga to help them relax. Teaching Yoga to children helps them develop better body awareness, self-control, flexibility and coordination. I've also seen how they can carry these skills beyond class and into their daily routines.

What is a child yoga program like?

The main focus of a child yoga program is on fun. Often the children will pretend to be the animal for which the pose is named. For instance, when they are doing Cat Pose, they become the cat and may even meow. If they are doing Downward Facing Dog with their butts high in the air, they will often bark, as they become the dog. The children are encouraged to fully participate in and enjoy the 'game of yoga.' Sometimes the instructor will create an entire story about the poses that the children are in so as to make the class interesting and to fully engage them. The children don't realize how much they are benefiting from the practice; the only thing they know is that they are having a good time.

BENEFITS

• Develops flexibility, strength, stamina, agility, balance, coordination and cardiovascular fitness.

• Emphasizes proper body alignment so that children will avoid injury.

• Promotes mental and physical health and a positive attitude toward exercise.

• Promotes concentration, self-discipline and develop inner strength and clarity. Breath control is an integral part of yoga and meditation. Children learn to value their breath. Breath meditation teaches children to deepen and slow down their breath and be calm and inward focused. It is a valuable skill that they can utilize during their entire live.

• Builds cooperative skills and good social behavior by working with a partner or in a group.

• Promotes positive communication and good listening skills which foster self- respect, compassion and respect for others.

• Builds self-confidence.

• Encourages children’s creative imagination and self-expression.

• Suitable for all ages and physical abilities.