Yoga classes for children, teens and tweens at Shakti Yoga in Maplewood, NJ.
Many have heard of the benefits of a yoga in adults — such as stress reduction and body awareness. But, according to Judie Hurtado, who teaches yoga for children at Shakti Yoga on Springfield Avenue in Maplewood, children also receive similar benefits when they practice yoga.
Hurtado says that yoga has been found to help balance the mind and body, increase strength and flexibility and teach children how to find a sense of calmness and self control. She cites a 2012 study published in ISRN Pediatrics that found that yoga improved school performance in children with ADHD.
Locals can find out more about the benefits of yoga for kids at Shakti Yoga’s upcoming free open house for kids, tweens and teens. Shakti Yoga claims to be the only yoga studio in Maplewood that offers yoga classes for this demographic.
“Yoga for children is very different than an adult yoga class,” writes Hurtado. “Shakti does everything from frog jumps, where I often count in Spanish, to reading books while doing yoga poses. One thing does remain the same: we have quiet time in every single class. It’s not an adult savasana. I slowly wind them down with relaxing poses and ease them into quiet time by incorporating a guided meditation. The children love quiet time and often request it the minute class begins.”
Hurtado teaches a class for children 3-7 years old. Kathleen Good teaches classes for children ages 8-13 and up.
Dates for the free classes are:
- Tuesday, January 6: Ages 8-12 from 4-4:45 p.m; Teens (13+) from 5-6 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 7: Ages 3-7 from 4-4:45 p.m.
Pre-registration is highly recommended as these classes are very popular. Register by emailing info@shaktinj.com or calling 973-763-2288.
