healthy living
Family yoga time!
Increase attention span, manage emotions, and build a positive body image LEA HANSON
M
ost families take the time to eat together, vacation together, and even watch television together, so why don’t we exercise together? Exercising as a family helps to instill wellness habits in children. When practicing yoga together, families learn to work together, relax, and enjoy one anothers’ company in a way that is far more engaging than watching television. Yoga is an activity that each member can enjoy and can benefit from both physically and emotionally. And, it doesn’t take up much time for an already packed schedule. Taking a one-hour class once a week as a family can be easily manageable. It is an option that is both engaging for the kids and challenging for the adults.
KIDS AND YOGA Amy Norris, Owner/Creator of KidsCrave Yoga shares, “Our kids live in a fast-paced, hurry up and sit down world! From school pressures, busy parents, split families, video games, text messaging, competitive sports and playdates there is no time left to simply just relax. The importance of down time is huge for kids because when children learn techniques for self-health, relaxation, and inner fulfillment, they can navigate life’s challenges with a little more ease.” While most adults turn to yoga for physical conditioning, strengthbuilding, and an opportunity for relaxation, some of the greatest benefits for kids are quite different. Yoga is beneficial to kids in many ways: a regular practice can increase a child’s attention span, teach emotional management, and can help build a positive body image. Because children encounter emotional, social, and physical challenges or conflicts, a dedicated and intentional yoga practice that includes breathing techniques, behavioral guidelines, and physical postures can be 16
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incredibly valuable for them. Additionally, the breathing, the concentration, the poses, and the way kids learn to act or react to situations, will lead to constant self-discovery and inquisitiveness. According to Apple Tree Yoga in Fort Collins, yoga has enormous benefits for children including gaining a better understanding of their body and controlling its energy and stillness. They say, “[practicing yoga] enables children to develop awareness of poses that enhance energy and of those that promote stillness.” In addition to these selfmanagement techniques, something as simple as a 60-minute class offers a gentle physical and mental work-out for both children and adults. If you’re not already convinced, here is an additional list of benefits yoga has on young people:
• Builds confidence and self-esteem • Improves focus and concentration • Helps overcome anxiety, fear, and everyday emotions • Helps performance in any sport • Teaches relaxation • Promotes exercise in fun way • Develops the brain and intellect • Promotes balance, flexibility, coordination, and strength • Raises body awareness • Promotes health and wellness • Enhances trust instincts and allows kiddos to open up to change • Promotes peaceful sleep • Increases the ability to relax • Helps children become better listeners (www.kidscraveyoga.com/thebenefits-of-yoga-for-kids/)
CLASSES AVAILABLE There are a plethora of yoga studios in northern Colorado and each specializes in varying types of practices, styles, and purpose. While adults have numerous options, kids who want to
begin a practice or families who would like to practice together will be drawn to studios that specialize in a youth and family approach.
Studios
• Apple Tree Yoga (www.appletreeyoga. com) • Belle Yoga (www.belleyoga.com) 1200 South College Avenue, Fort Collins • Elan Yoga and Fitness (www.elanyoga. com/p/kids-yoga.html) 353 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins • Family Balance Yoga (www.family balanceyoga.com) 1200 South College Avenue, Fort Collins • Flying Colors (www.flyingcolosartschool. com) 1800 East Prospect Road, Fort Collins • KidsCrave Yoga (www.kidscrave yoga.com) • Om Ananda Yoga (www.omananda yoga.com) 115 N. College Avenue, Suite 200, Fort Collins • Mobile Yoga – travels to multiple locations in northern Colorado • Raintree Athletic Center (www.raintree athleticclub.com/yoga) 2555 South Shields Street, Fort Collins • Northside Atzlan Community Center (www.fcgov.com/recreation/northaztlan.php) *ages 13 and older, 112 E. Willow Street, Fort Collins • Sacred Space Yoga (www.ssyoga.com) 1545 13th Avenue, Greeley