Yes, you read that right – it’s not just for yummy mummies and holistic types. We visit Abu Dhabi’s Bodytree Studio, where classes consist of balance, concentration and coordination exercises.
Kids’ yoga seems to be very trendy these days but there are a lot of excellent reasons for enrolling your child in a class. Yoga improves a nipper’s behaviour, physical health and academic performance, as well as their attitudes toward themselves.
It can also help with the improvement of the strength and flexibility of their muscles and joints. We spoke to Natasha Clarke, studio coordinator at Bodytree Studio, to find out more.
What gave you the idea to start yoga classes for kids?
We aim to offer holistic health services to cater for everyone; children, women and men and of all ages. We have offered kids’ yoga since the studio opened in 2007, the classes provide an activity that focuses on the whole child – mind, body and soul. Starting yoga in childhood can boost children’s self-esteem and body awareness since it is practiced in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
How does it benefit them? How does it help children develop certain skills?
Physically it enhances their flexibility, strength and coordination, and enhanced body awareness improves their concentration and sense of calm. It also teaches breathing techniques which are transferable to stressful situations. When we breathe deeply and fully (called pranayama) it teaches kids to become more aware and bring peacefulness or energy to their bodies.
Why would you recommend dance and yoga for kids?
Both dance and yoga involve music, and moving to music makes everyone young and old feel good. The discipline of dance teaches a child how to stand up straight and how to express physical grace, confidence and strength. Both our yoga and dance classes have regular attendees and this provides another opportunity for kids to socialise outside school and form firm friendships. It also teaches children about committing to an activity as most of our children’s classes are for a term.
What sort of activities do the kids do? Can you talk us through the different classes?
Emirates School of Ballet at Bodytree offers all three dance disciplines of ballet, jazz and pointe for three-16 year olds and we offer kids’ yoga for four-eight year olds and also for teenagers.
What made you want to offer these classes in the first place?
Providing children with any opportunity to do exercise such as dance or yoga helps to promote the importance of physical activity from an early age and hopefully this translates into a habit later in life. We are seeing increasing cases of childhood obesity and diabetes, especially in the UAE these days, and educating children about fun ways to stay active such as dance and yoga from an early age is an important tool to combating these diseases.
Bodytree Studio, Al Khalidiyah, Between 26th Street and 11th Street, (02 443 4448).
The benefits of kids’ yoga
Enhancing concentration
When your child gets used to the postures of yoga, they automatically improve their concentration skills. Your child learns how to stay still in one place and focus as opposed to letting their mind wander and being distracted easily.
Increasing flexibility and balance
Yoga helps kids become more limber and tones muscles, too. It makes kids stronger and less likely to suffer sprains and fractures.
Improving general well-being
Kids who practise yoga regularly feel good about themselves and are healthier and happier in general. They feel both mentally and physically rejuvenated after a yoga session and this improves their mental and physical health.
Boosting confidence
When your child is able to display great agility and flexibility, it does wonders for their confidence. They become more poised and start to believe in their abilities.
Relaxing their minds
Even kids are subject to a great deal of stress these days because of their workload at school and the high expectations that their parents place on them. Yoga helps them relax and de-stress when they feel upset or depressed. It soothes their frayed minds and helps them get back to a normal mental state.
More to try
Let’s Go Yoga
This company offers classes all over Abu Dhabi including yoga for little ones and pre-natal yoga for mums to be.
www.letsgoyoga.net (050 349 2336)
My First Gym
This venue offers gym classes for kids, dance and yoga.
Delma Street, Al Mamoura, www.myfirstgymuae.com (02 444 3560).
