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18 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • March 2016 BODY AWARENESS Through yoga kids come to know their bodies and what they can do. Yoga for kids is playful and creative; it allows kids an opportunity to con- nect with their bodies as they shift from shape to shape. Kids gain a greater understanding of their own bodies as they practice, cultivating endur- ance, coordination, balance and focus. Kids yoga celebrates the body for being strong and flexible, encouraging a positive self-image. MINDFULNESS When we are mindful we are pres- ent, resting with awareness in each moment without becoming over- whelmed by past experiences or concerns for the future. When kids practice yoga they learn to live in the moment. Mindfulness increases focus and concentration, helping kids thrive in school. When kids feel in control of their bodies they are better able to self-regulate, navigating frustrations in a healthy way. for kids Kids Yoga Book Recommendations Little Yoga: A Toddler's First Book of Yoga by Rebecca Whitford and Martina Selway I Am Yoga by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds Goodnight Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Bedtime Story by Mariam Gates and Sarah Jane Hinder Yoga for Children: 200+ Yoga Poses, Breathing Exercises, and Meditations for Healthier, Happier, More Resilient Children by Lisa Flynn Yoga for Kids: On and Beyond the Mat by Kristi L. Kremers You are a Lion! and Other Fun Yoga Poses by Tae-Eun Yoo Our kids live in a busy world — between daycare, school, activities, meals, and all the ins and outs of each day, they barely have time to breathe. Kids deal with distraction, overstimulation and pressure to succeed, to fit in, to look, act or be a certain way. In the face of all this, some kids internalize their feelings while others act out; some strive to be perfect, while others fight to swim against the current. Kids need breathing room. They need practice and a space to find their center amidst the whirlwind of each day. Yoga in Sanskrit means to yoke, to unite. Yoga is an integrative prac- tice that promotes harmony between body and mind through breath and movement. Yoga teaches us to be present in each moment. Yoga promotes mindfulness and compassion, strength and flexibility in mind and body, while reducing stress and anxiety. Yoga is for everyone. Several schools in the area, from preschool on up through university, have included yoga into the curriculum for the overwhelming ben- efits. Yoga studios in Fredericksburg offer kids yoga classes as well. Some classes even provide the opportunity to practice with your child as a family. Taking the time to engage in this practice with them, to develop awareness and mindfulness together, communicates the value of these qualities. While each kids yoga class is unique, no mat- ter which class you choose your child will experience some of the following benefits. WRITTEN BY EVE KAGAN YOGA Goodnight Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Bedtime Story Yoga for Children: 200+ Yoga Poses,