We are so excited for our Kid’s Yoga Camp to start next week!!! (FYI: we have 1-2 spots left for any last minute kiddies- join us!). Our camp Co-Creator/Director, Roni Zelivinski (is-DA-BEST and), has written a super fun guest blog post for us– all about…
The ABC’s of Kid’s Yoga – Why Yoga is Essential for Kiddos ~ Letter by Letter
Affirmations: to remind ourselves that we are awesome, amazing, and loved
Breath: learning to use our bellies to breathe and connecting to our breath
Creativity: inventing our own yoga poses and using our imaginations to play and grow
Dance: getting out the wiggles and jiggles to start off class. Nothing like a hokey pokey to loosen up our bodies!
Eco-friendly: opening up our minds to ways we can protect the Earth
Friends: making new friends and interacting with other kiddos
Gratitude: reminding ourselves of all that we have to be thankful for
Healthy: we exercise together without even knowing it, and have yummy healthy snacks
Introspection: noticing how we feel that day and sharing it- all feelings are good feelings
Judgment-free zone: kids get to be kids, anyway they want to be! And teachers get to be kids too!
Knowledge: sharing wisdom with friends fosters enthusiasm about learning
Laughter: there is nothing better for the body, mind, and spirit than to giggle with buddies
Mindfulness: closing our eyes and awakening all of our senses to the world around us- the sound of breathing, the music, the way our mats feel, the warmth of our palms
Noticing: the way our bodies MOVE. How does one touch their right foot with their
left hand?
Organized: classes are planned, but still go with the flow~
PLAYFUL
Quack, ribbit, bark, meow: laughing and making sounds while practicing
Rest- there is always time for a two minute colorful guided relaxation
Stretch: nowadays kids spend their entire days sitting at desks in school. Yoga is their chance to move and stretch all of their muscles, bones, and growing bodies
Turn off those electronics! Yoga is digital-age accessory free
Unity: playing games, doing poses, reading books all together
Vibrant: colors, creativity, music, toys, props- kid’s yoga is full of super colorful and abundant energy
Wash: away all the stress from the day. There are no competitions, quizzes, grades or winners in yoga. The most important rule is to have fun and do what you love
Xylophone: drums, maraccas and more! Exploring the gift of music
You are you and I am me: yoga encourages self-expression, self-awareness, self-confidence and love
Zzzzz: a good yoga play time means a better sleep, happier dreaming, and happier parents
Check out more on kid’s yoga and the benefits here!
Roni Zelivinski is a local Vinyasa yoga teacher for yogis of all ages, a Doula, Zumba instructor, salsa music lover, barefoot-walker and aspiring midwife. She co-created the extendYoga kids camp with Arlet Koseian and is very passionate about the importance of play for all ages! Originally from Israel, she grew up in Rockville and spends most of her time studying at the University of Maryland and teaching classes in the DMV. To learn more about Roni, check out her blog!