5 Benefits of Our Kids Yoga Class

Amelia and Rose doing a Tree pose in our outdoor kid’s fitness program

5 Benefits of Our Kids Yoga Class

By: Sumera Garcia-Quadri

1. We Instruct an Age-Appropriate Class

   Kids are not mini-adults, kids are kids! To encourage kids to join us after a hard day at school, our kid’s Yoga class includes FUN icebreakers and fun warm-up games, playful animal safari rhythms, and pair bonding activities.
   

2. We Encourage Emotional Regulation

   Fights and conflicts happen all of the time - at home, at school, and sometimes on the street. Kids must learn to handle and resolve conflict positively (without violence or yelling and screaming). In our Yoga classes, our breathing techniques can help children calm themselves down when they feel angry, hurt, or upset, and bring their nervous system down. We know that when we’re feeling better, we make better decisions.

3. Strength and Flexibility Training

   Many Yoga poses are known to improve full-body strength and flexibility which can in turn help kids excel in school sports and physical activities. Research shows that having good skeletal muscles can help us recover from injuries and illness. Giving kids the chance to grow strong lean muscles at an early age can help keep them dancing and playing the sports they LOVE for years to come.

4. We're Trained to Work with Kids of all Levels

   Sumera was lucky to receive training in the Coaching Association of Canada’s Fundamental Movement Skills program and understands that all kids develop differently and perform based on their past and current experiences. Any kids instructor under Sumera must have experience instructing kids of all ages and levels, valid CPR training, and a police check VSC.

5. Positive Social Connections and Opportunities

   During the pandemic-related lockdowns in Toronto, kids became used to entertaining themselves with devices and social media. Our kid’s Yoga class gets kids to POWER OFF THEIR DEVICES for an hour and connect with other kids their age face-to-face through our games and pair activities. Social opportunities help kids feel happier, better about themselves, and more confident in their everyday lives.

For more information on our Kid’s Yoga Fitness class, click here.

7 Things About Our 2021 Outdoor Kid's Fitness Program

7 Things About Our 2021 Outdoor Kids Circuit and Fitness Program

By: Sumera Garcia-Quadri

1. We instruct for kids!

   Kids are not mini-adults. They're kids! Our program combines age-appropriate games, music, and fitness and circuit drills to create a fun experience to help our little friends ages 7 to 11 learn the fundamental movement skills (FMS) outlined by the Coaches Association of Canada

   Each class contains a warm-up and cool down, fitness drills, and pair and circuit activities relating to the sport skill for that week. To see the FMS we're teaching, click here
   

2. We have a 0 bullying policy

   We do not believe in “tough love” or the “no pain no gain” philosophy. Because if you're in pain, the only thing you'll gain is an injury and that's anything but fun!

   Our instructors provide constructive feedback and options that aim to encourage kids to keep trying a movement or activity that may be difficult. When it comes to peer to peer bullying, we do not tolerate bullying in any form. This includes verbal and physical bullying towards their peers or instructor. To find out about our bullying and warning policy, click here

3. We're beginner-friendly

   We adapt our instruction for multi-levels, especially for kids with basic movement skills. To keep kids motivated, we encourage them to go at their own pace and offer various options. Our program is also designed to teach a new FMS each week which means your child can join in at any time.

4. We're trained to work with kids

   Sumera and any instructors under her have a love of kid's fitness and experience working with kids through work, sports teams, and/or education. Additionally, all instructors will have training in CPR and First Aid and a police check. To know more about Sumera, click here

5. We're Embracing The Outdoors During Covid-19

   Due to routine gym and community center closures, this program will be offered for the first time outdoors at a local park in the High Park area. For more info on what happens when we cancel or reschedule a class, click here.

6. We're seasonal

   We're offering our program from May 2021 to July 2021, multiple times a week, and at different times. We have lunchtime hours for kids homeschooling, after school hours, and weekend mornings. To see the tentative schedule and/or join a waitlist, click here.

   Our program will adhere to COVID-19 protocols at that time

7. We May Be Able To Come To You!

   If you're in the west end of Toronto, have a large park by you and a group of 6 kids (maximum 8), we can try and bring this to you! To find out about our program syllabus, park, and schedule, click here.