Kids Yoga: Inspiring Environmental Superheroes!!!

Hello earth savers!!


Today's blog is dedicated to the kids, more specifically to the mini yogis. That's right, the little toes that love to bark in downdog, hiss in cobra, and moo in cow. So sit back as we go on a yoga adventure!!!!

You know your mat, it's your home base in every yoga practice, the place you rest your body, the ground beneath your tree pose, or the object that turns any atmosphere into your own personal yoga studio. But, what if that yoga mat could transport you to a far away jungle, the moon, or far below the sea? Well if you join any one of the classes at Karma Kids Yoga, you will do just that. . .all you need is your imagination and a true feel for fun!


Karma Kids Yoga's Magical studio in NYC can be described in one word FUN! A simple word, yes, but a word that is sometimes lacking in most adult classes. Shari Vilchez-Blatt, creator and founder of Karma Kids Yoga, has created a space designed to inspire kids to move their bodies through yoga poses and engage their imagination with yoga games, puppets, and songs. It truly is a wonderful and magical space and I am thrilled everyday that I get to be a part of this group of teachers.

But how does a kids yoga studio, create the next generation of environmental superheroes? By inspiring kids to go beyond the mat, of course. By beyond the mat, I'm talking YOGA ADVENTURES! That's right, they use their mats as transportation vehicles to take them out of NYC and on to any place in the world and sometimes the universe. It's through these yoga adventures that kids meet new animals, learn their poses, and learn cool facts about each one. The smaller yogis show their compassion for animals by embracing alligator and shark puppets with love and hugs. A simple act of kindness, but one that could plant the seed for future understanding that all creatures great, small, fierce, or gentle need our help and our love. One class in particular I taught all about sharks and what we can do to save them!

It's not all about the poses at Karma Kids Yoga, games are also played in every class. Showing kids that stretching your brain, is just as important as stretching your body. Yoga games are also designed to help kids work together, problem solve, and challenge each other as well as themselves. One game in particular, a Karma Kids original called Toe-ga, requires you to use your yoga balance to pick up small fuzzy balls and place them in a bucket located on your mat. The great thing about Toe-ga, is it challenges the kids to see how many balls they can keep in their toes as they make their way back to their bucket. Start with one ball and work at getting more.

Yoga for kids doesn't stop at age 10. Older kids, well into their teens, feel the benefits of yoga. Yoga creates a safe place where kids can escape the pressures of school, peer pressure and technology, (phones are left in the dressing room :). Yoga class is also a great place where teens can touch on subjects not always touched on at school. Topics such as compassion, peace, environmental issues, and stress. I love asking the kids to list animals they know to be endangered. Once we list them, we try the poses inspired by the animal, and talk about ways we can help save them. We also talk about the environment and the issues that our planet is facing. Using yoga as a vehicle for change, we talk about how our own practice can help the world and people in need.

Lisa Fuere, a teacher at Karma Kids Yoga, and mother to son Sasha, shared a letter that her son had written to the principal at P.S 38, asking the teacher to create more programs for recycling in the school. Below I have included some quotes from his four page letter:

". . .I am determined to influence P.S. 38 to recycle more."
". . .If you recycle you can earn money. For instance we could go on a field trip to the beach to collect bottles. Then turn them into store. Finally, we could use the money for charity. This would be good for countries in need."

Sasha has been doing yoga since he was in his mothers belly and has continued to be taught the importance of compassion for all living things. When he isn't playing hockey, he can be found at Karma Kids rockin' out in my 10-12's class or spending quality time with his mom, in my Family Yoga class. His letter has truly inspired me to do more for this planet. That's Sasha below, rockin' out in Eagle pose.

No matter your age yoga can be beneficial, but for kids yoga can be a place where their imagination takes flight and their bodies become strong. It is the place where wellness warriors are inspired to become environmental superheroes!!!!

Happy Saving!!!

Laura


For a complete schedule of the amazing classes taught at Karma Kids Yoga and Peace In Studio, check out their website at

                                                               www.karmakidsyoga.com