Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.
I visited Little Shanti Yoga with my son (A) and daughter (E) a while back, and ever since then I have been looking for an excuse to go again. I have been happily watching schools and centers book class after class with Little Shanti. I finally caught up with Wendy at the Congers Community Center where she does a mixed age class for older age children (without mommies). Boy am I glad that I did!
This class was such a pleasure to attend. The class was made up of girls (although it was not limited, this is the group that signed up) ages 7 through 13. It was clear that the girls were excited to be there because each and every one bounced through the door ready to participate. They knew the drill. The girls walked in and put their shoes on one side of the room before heading over toward the mats (two yogis even brought their own. When Miss. Wendy was ready to begin the class eagerly followed her lead. They were respectful and happily tried every pose, even those that were super difficult. The atmosphere was great. I was relaxed just watching.
The theme of today’s class was very relevant to the month of February, it was opening your heart. Miss. Wendy started the class asking how everyone was doing and speaking to specific girls about what they had been up to and what was going on with them. She welcomed questions and comments, it was a great opportunity for each girl to be heard and speak. I could tell by watching that each and every participant felt valued and comfortable. When it was time to begin the Yoga part of the class Miss. Wendy asked about who was watching the Olympics. Some girls raised their hands. Miss. Wendy then went on to discuss the benefits of Yoga for athletes, for focus, flexibility, strength, and coordination. She pointed out that it was not only good before but also after a competition.
The class then picked up steam. Miss. Wendy and the class went through a number of different poses and positions, some of which they had done before and others that they were trying for the first time. Often, when they repeated a pose that they had already done, like “cupid’s arrow” Miss. Wendy would kick it up a notch and challenge the group to do a more difficult version, in this case, to do it while standing. The class accepted the challenge with ease. Throughout the 60 minute class Miss. Wendy returned to poses that opened up their hearts, and ribcages allowing the participants to stretch and breathe deeper. One position that the class really enjoyed was when Miss. Wendy taught them to work on the wall and climb up with their feet. This was really a fun time for the class. Everyone was able to do it and those who got it a little faster helped others out.
At the end of their time together the girls looked more relaxed than when they came, you could tell they had enjoyed themselves. Parents arrived to pick up their daughters and had lovely things to say to Miss. Wendy about the class. Many of them asking if she would be doing more sessions with older kids. When I left I felt more relaxed and calmer than when I had arrived, and that was without participating. I really enjoyed this class, as I did with the Mommy and Me class that I attended previously.
What I loved about this class:
- The sense of belonging in the class.
- Age and ability doesn’t matter, all of the girls had a great time and were able to participate with ease.
- The calm atmosphere.
- The easy acceptance of challenge.
- The connections made to athletics as well as academics, and/or stress relief.
For more information about Little Shanti Yoga visit Miss. Wendy at: http://littleshantiyoga.vpweb.com/
Miss. Wendy checks in with the class in the beginning.
Cupid’s Arrow
The class works on flexibility.
Miss. Wendy kicks it up a notch, by having them do “cupid’s arrow” standing.
Wall work, where posture is emphasized.
This pose was a class favorite!
The class settles down at the end to concentrate and relax.
