A Kid's Yoga lesson
Children experience a lot of fun in our yoga classes. Each lesson begins with a greeting ritual before we warm up, then we do a sequence of yoga poses called Flow (that the children learn to carry out independently and instruct over time), followed by a breathing exercise and finally a game to expand previous knowledge while having fun playing. Each lesson ends with our much loved Yogi Bear Round, in which every child may give a feedback on his or her feelings and today's Yoga class, while the others listen.
Classes are currently offered on Wednesdays 5.30 - 6.30 p.m. in English and Spanish.
Improves
- Posture
- Balance
- Flexibility
- Body control
- Strength in trunk, arms and legs
- Concentration
- Body awareness
- Self-confidence
- Emotional Intelligence
Reduces
- Postural damage
- Muscle tension
- Accidents caused by a lack of body control
- Stress
- Laziness
- Mood swings
Special topic: Hyperactivity
It is not uncommon that parents of hyperactive children are recommended yoga lessons for their kids. In fact, yoga can be a great way to help children gain self-knowledge, find out how they can regulate their excitement and relaxation, and treat themselves and others without judgement.
Unluckily, it happens that parents avoid naming the condition of their child when signing them up for yoga or downplay it by fear of being stigmatized. This naturally leads to a situation that they've really been trying to avoid: Their child is perceived as difficult and disturbing. That doesn't have to be like this! If we want the hyperactivity of our child to not become a problem in the yoga class, it is necessary to know a few things first.
First of all, by acknowledging a hyperactive child as such and introducing it to the yoga teacher accordingly, a positive relationship of trust and cooperation between yoga teacher and parents can be created. It is strongly recommended that hyperactive children start out with the yoga teacher in individual lessons, so their needs can be properly addressed. Hyperactive children are challenged differently, they cannot hold their attention as long as other kids and need a certain setting to learn best which is not given when forced to jump into a yoga class without preparation. It makes sense to offer these children the chance to acquire basic knowledge in lessons tailored to their needs, and to become familiar with the structure of a yoga class and the teaching method at their own pace. Once the basic framework is set and a relationship between yoga teacher and child has been established, nothing should stand in the way of integrating the child into an existing yoga group.