WA children embrace yoga

If yoga benefits adults, then why not kids too?

Michelle Renton asked this question over a decade ago when launching Perth’s first kids’ yoga school. Since then yoga has been embraced by many kids for the benefits that extend across the age brackets.

Yogazoo founder Mrs Renton says yoga has numerous physical and mental benefits for children including improving concentration, energy levels, co-ordination and balance, reducing stress and anxiety, and helping establish healthy sleep patterns.

She points out that kids yoga is non-spiritual and inclusive to all levels and abilities, including special needs, with her classes starting at daycare, teaching as young as 18 months old and extending right through from toddlers, bugs (5-8 years), butterflies (9-12 years) and teens (12-17 years).

“The popularity of kids’ yoga and mindfulness has grown over the last three years and now all my classes book out quickly,” she says, adding her program has now extended to include school holiday workshops, birthday parties and last year even a term of toddler yoga at Perth Zoo.

Unlike adult yoga, kids yoga usually incorporates a theme, story or adventure, and uses props, music, partner work and games to make it fun for the kids.

“A good kids’ yoga class should still incorporate the main elements of yoga — breath work, poses/movement and relaxation but taught in a fun, engaging and nurturing manner,” she says.

Benefits of kids yoga

• improves concentration and energy levels
• improves coordination and balance
• recharges the immune system
• maintains flexibility
• establishes healthy sleep patterns
• reduces stress and anxiety
• brings clarity and calm
• maintains fitness levels
• encourages creativity, self expression and self confidence

For more information about Yogazoo classes, school programs or teacher training visit yogazoo.com.au.