Yoga is kids’ stuff at Barr Colony

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Some eager pre-kindergarten students at Barr Colony School have mastered the frog pose in a simplified version of yoga.

Instruction was provided by Shauna Weinkauf who runs Gemini Soul Wellness. She kid-tested basic poses with her own triplet sons, who she says can be quite chaotic.

“At home, we do these exercises quite often and they want to share them with their friends,” said Weinkauf with yoga mats set up in the school’s gym last Wednesday.

“Sometimes they will do it on their own when they need to calm themselves down if they’re feeling really anxious.”

Her boys just happen to be taught by Meagan Smith, who invited Weinkauf to work her calming magic on her pre-k class.

“The purpose is to move our bodies in new ways, have fun and keep active,” explained Smith.

I focus on healing and energy work connecting people with their body and their soul, so things like Reiki, meditation and coming to schools and doing yoga like this.

“Most of the kids have never done yoga, so it’s fun for everybody.”

Weinkauf says yoga gets the kids interactive and moving their bodies in different ways they don’t normally move.

“It kind of connects them with different feelings and doing some different breath - ing things to help regulate their emotions, so if they get anxious, they can use these fun tools to calm down their bodies,’ she said.

“It helps the kids, it helps the teachers it helps the parents, it helps everybody.”

Smith says this was the first time for yoga lessons at Barr, but it likely won’t be the last as she is thinking of introducing it to other classes and staff, too.

She says yoga is great for all ages from three years-old up to 90-years-old.

“It’s something focusing on your body and having words associated with movements and having breathing strategies,” said Smith.

“It’s something that’s really helpful for kids in the classroom, so it’s great.”

Yoga is one of the wellness services Weinkauf provides for women at her Gemini studio space at Oceanic Hair Design downtown.

“I focus on healing and energy work connecting people with their body and their soul, so things like Reiki, meditation and coming to schools and doing yoga like this,” she said.

“So, all sorts of energetic, soul, body and mind wellness.”

Thursday, February 23, 2023

MERIDIAN SOURCE