Kathy Vanderselt's Yoga Break

PRE-SCHOOL YOGA: “Miss Kathy” has had the pleasure since 2005 of working with little yogis at local pre-schools, encouraging the children to stretch both their bodies and their vivid imaginations. Working with the children in small groups for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, she encourages the children to “play” at yoga and to copy what she is doing. Often Kathy will use a short story or some simple scenario to link the “poses” (a day at the beach or leaves falling from a tree). Even the youngest child is delighted to let their body stretch and move into familiar shapes, whether that shape is found in their everyday world (table, chair) or in the animal kingdom that they know and love so well (cat, dog, eagle).

At the end of the class, there is always time for relaxation and Kathy is continually amazed at how completely still the children become in “Savasana,” a pose of rest that she calls “floating on a cloud.” The best part for the children is the beanie baby that they have placed on their belly so that they can relax and feel their breath. The children are always delighted to open their eyes and see their “surprise” and that usually starts a discussion on how they can become the bear, lion or other small animal that they see. The children then return the beanie babies to Miss Kathy, walking over to her, balancing the small toy on their heads. Schools all over the country are increasingly embracing some form of yoga practice for children. Kathy has received feedback from the pre-school teachers that yoga helps the children focus. For example, when Kathy challenges the children to balance in tree or become a tall, still mountain (before exploding into volcano!) she teaches them to concentrate and focus on an object that is not moving – hoping to instill in them what the body feels like when it’s quiet and training them to focus on whomever is speaking (especially their teachers!). Kathy’s yoga lessons always strive to incorporate messages of kindness and respect, in simple language that the children can understand, without bringing any spiritual component into the lesson which potentially could conflict with a child’s religious beliefs. Kathy has a limited number of times available to teach at pre-schools, but is always happy to fit a visit into her schedule. If you are interested in yoga at your pre-school, please call Kathy at (314) 378-1439 or e-mail .

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND TEENS: Kathy is experienced working with children of all ages. Private lessons are available as are references.

CONTACT KATHY TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR YOGA BREAK
(314) 378-1439

Kathy Vanderselt, RYT, CPT

Updated August 8, 2011