How yoga can stimulate kids’ activity
If you have an interest in teaching yoga for kids, there is an international yoga instructor in country. Ann Robideaux is in Belize for the next few days to teach persons interested in yoga teacher training. Om Shanti Belize is hosting the yoga workshop from Friday, March sixteenth through to Sunday, March eighteenth. Robideaux tells us more about her Asana Alphabet yoga teacher training.
Ann Robideaux , Yoga Instructor
“We know that kids usually have more energy than adults, so we want to make yoga fun for kids. So, that includes games, partner work or just basically having fun and being energetic with the traditional yoga poses. But, ideally, towards the end of the class, coming to a sense of calm and peace and self-reflection and maybe even getting to lie down and enjoy themselves for a little bit.”
Andrea Polanco
“Talk to us about bringing this kind of yoga to kids – how will it help them?”
Ann Robideaux
Ann Robideaux
“Well, we are doing a teacher training – so the teachers are learning how to teach the kids yoga. At some other schools some teachers have reported that their kids behave better afterwards, so that is kind of one proof. I have certainly seen kids who weren’t strong before become mentally and physically strong themselves. And it is just learning new things – new patters of how to move the body, stay in shape, stay happy and healthy.”
Andrea Polanco
“What would you say to parents to encourage them to have their kids do this yoga – especially for those who may think it is too much for my kid to take on?”
Ann Robideaux
“Well, it is definitely not too much for your kid to take on. I would say parents should also take yoga and be a model for their kids because the more you do it, the more benefits you receive. You will feel happy and relaxed and your kids will, hopefully, follow suit.”
Andrea Polanco
“Talk to us about these sessions – how long will they run for and where?”
Ann Robideaux
“So the teacher training is this entire weekend – from Friday night, Saturday day and Sunday. It will include how to work with all ages. When we teach the kids a yoga class they are only about thirty-five to forty-five minutes because of the attention span.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, for those who want to take the teacher-training sessions – do they need to be familiar with yoga or they can come without experience?”
Ann Robideaux
“Anyone can come. We have had teachers who are schoolteachers and don’t really know anything about yoga but they already know how to work with kids and that work really well. We’ve had families like that as well. And then there are people who have taken a lot of yoga, so it is really a balance and open to anyone who’s interested.”
The sessions will be held at Om Shanti studios at the Harbour View House in Belize City. For more information about the schedule, visit ROC Om Shanti Belize on Facebook.
