By Erika Blauch Rusley
Photo courtesy of Eileen Armstrong
Children are natural yogis. Consider the baby who grabs his feet with his hands or the older kid who loves to balance on one leg—they’ve inherently adopted Happy Baby and Tree Pose. A growing number of yoga studios have taken note and offer specialized classes for kids. Some studios even organize yoga-themed birthday parties, enrichment activities, and summer camps for the most avid little yogis.
The benefits of yoga for children are numerous. The physical practice maintains strength, balance, and flexibility in growing bodies and promotes greater body awareness. Mindfulness and meditation teaches children to be aware of the present and to offer compassion towards others and self. The mental and physical effort of difficult postures cultivates discipline and focus. These benefits may help young yogis succeed academically and manage challenging social problems such as peer pressure and bullying.
Yoga for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers balances playtime with rest time. “Baby and Me” classes typically involve parent and baby in modified poses and allow time for settling down. For toddlers, “Little One” yoga introduces poses along with singing, games, and imaginative play before relaxation. Preschool or “Little Kid” classes continue to develop yoga postures while often incorporating art, music, and stories. Breath work and rest remain important. Play is also a component of all-ages or family classes. In these classes, yoga is modified for all levels and may be mixed with stories, music, games, and dance before a guided relaxation period.
Photo courtesy of Eileen Armstrong
Mindfulness takes on a larger role in yoga classes for elementary-age children and older. Guided meditation and breath work, as well as more challenging postures, are typical. Group activities and role-play aimed at self-esteem building, constructive conflict resolution, and self-regulation is a part of mindfulness teaching. Catering to the specific emotional needs of boys and girls, some of these classes are separated by gender and include gender-specific activities. The mind-body connection is also an important component of “tween” and teen yoga. Yoga for tweens and teens promotes mindfulness and introduces yoga philosophy and principles while building a strong physical practice. Breath work, meditation, music, journaling, relaxation, and conversation are often included.
For younger and older children alike, kids yoga can lay a foundation for what may become a wonderful component of a lifelong wellness routine. Scoop up your wee yogi and check out a course near you!
Where to find classes for young yogis from southern to midcoast Maine
YORK COUNTY
Kennebunk
Port Yoga, www.portyoga.com
Classes for kids and teens
Village Yoga of the Kennebunks, www.villageyogaofthekennebunks.com
Teen yoga classes
GREATER PORTLAND
Portland
Lila East End Yoga, www.livelila.com
Prenatal, baby, toddler and teen classes
Spiral Tree Yoga and Wellness Studio, www.spiraltreeyoga.com
Prenatal, baby, toddler, kids, girls, teens and family classes
Falmouth & South Portland
Greener Postures, www.greenerposturesyoga.com
Baby & Me, kids and pre-natal classes.
Westbrook
Living Well Center, www.livingwellcenter.info
Classes for kids and teens
Freeport & Portland
YMCA, www.ymcaofsouthernmaine.org
Toddler and family classes
MIDCOAST
Brunswick
Jai Yoga, www.jaiyogahome.com
Prenatal, baby, and family classes
Belfast
Peaceful Nest Yoga, www.facebook.com/peacefulnestyogaPrenatal, baby, kids and teen classes
SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL MAINE
Danielle Gorman, www.daniellegorman.com
Classes for kids and teens
