My nieces, Allison and Amy, have asked if they can come to a yoga class with me.
They're 8 and 9 years old and apparently there's a children's TV show that discusses the benefits of yoga - in terms that children can understand of course.
I'm a little afraid of bringing them to class with me since they're both so young.
We get pretty lively in my yoga class and I'm afraid some of the positions might be harmful to their young bodies.
Where do you find yoga positions that are safe and easy for children? •The YWCA - The YWCA or YMCA in your area probably already offers a yoga class for children.
Children are becoming increasingly interested in physical fitness and because they see their parents practicing yoga they want to try it, too.
Check with your local Y to see if they offer classes for children.
If not, speak with the adult instructor and ask if there's a class, already being offered, that uses yoga positions that would be safe for kids.
•Yoga studios - Just like dance studios teach classes for kids, so do some yoga studios.
Again, kids are becoming more and more interested in yoga.
If your local yoga studio isn't already offering classes for kids at least let them know you're interested.
If enough people speak up, maybe they'll add on.
•School - A lot of schools offer after school fitness programs for their students.
If they don't already have yoga on the itinerary, again, suggest it so they'll know there's an interest.
Certainly any yoga positions they use would be safe for kids.
•DVDs - There are so many DVDs available that teach you how to do yoga.
Look for DVDs directed at children or beginners.
Get a group of kids together and have an afternoon yoga class of your own a few times a week.
•Go online - There are lots of really great yoga websites that offer information and videos for people of all ages - children included.
You're wise to be concerned about the safety of your children when it comes to practicing any type of physical fitness program.
However, yoga is one of the safest types of exercise you can perform.
The yoga positions are low impact so they're safe for young bodies.
And because most of the movements are slow and deliberate you don't really have the opportunity to risk sprains and strains the way you do with a more aerobic type of exercise.
They're 8 and 9 years old and apparently there's a children's TV show that discusses the benefits of yoga - in terms that children can understand of course.
I'm a little afraid of bringing them to class with me since they're both so young.
We get pretty lively in my yoga class and I'm afraid some of the positions might be harmful to their young bodies.
Where do you find yoga positions that are safe and easy for children? •The YWCA - The YWCA or YMCA in your area probably already offers a yoga class for children.
Children are becoming increasingly interested in physical fitness and because they see their parents practicing yoga they want to try it, too.
Check with your local Y to see if they offer classes for children.
If not, speak with the adult instructor and ask if there's a class, already being offered, that uses yoga positions that would be safe for kids.
•Yoga studios - Just like dance studios teach classes for kids, so do some yoga studios.
Again, kids are becoming more and more interested in yoga.
If your local yoga studio isn't already offering classes for kids at least let them know you're interested.
If enough people speak up, maybe they'll add on.
•School - A lot of schools offer after school fitness programs for their students.
If they don't already have yoga on the itinerary, again, suggest it so they'll know there's an interest.
Certainly any yoga positions they use would be safe for kids.
•DVDs - There are so many DVDs available that teach you how to do yoga.
Look for DVDs directed at children or beginners.
Get a group of kids together and have an afternoon yoga class of your own a few times a week.
•Go online - There are lots of really great yoga websites that offer information and videos for people of all ages - children included.
You're wise to be concerned about the safety of your children when it comes to practicing any type of physical fitness program.
However, yoga is one of the safest types of exercise you can perform.
The yoga positions are low impact so they're safe for young bodies.
And because most of the movements are slow and deliberate you don't really have the opportunity to risk sprains and strains the way you do with a more aerobic type of exercise.