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. 

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  All opinions expressed are my own.

RBI Sports offers many exciting opportunities for training.  One of their services are their private baseball lessons.  After our group class it was clear how new to the sport (A) was and the he could use a little more practice on his basic skills.  So we scheduled a session with Jason.  In the back of my head I was wondering how effective a personal training session would be for a 3 ½ year old, but I thought, why not try?

Jason tackled all of the necessities for a child of (A)’s age.  Balance, coordination, ATTENTION, all while making it fun and relating each skill to baseball.

What a fantastic time we had!  Jason took the first few minutes to feel (A) out for his interests and to see what type of motivation he best responds to. It didn’t take long for him to figure out that (A) likes to please adults and that he considers himself a super hero! (When asked what his name is he responds “Super (A)!).  Jason then used this information throughout the session to keep (A) on task and to relate each instruction to something that (A) loves.  (A) was able to hone many of the basic skills required to be successful in baseball.  To reinforce each skill Jason would model the appropriate way to do it, then connect it to an area of interest.  He would correct (A) when necessary and then ask (A) to repeat the correct form by correcting Jason’s stance.  (A) soaked it up like a sponge.

When it came time to work on batting Jason even agreed to take turns.  (A) had decided that it was so much fun, that Jason should get to try too!  Although we were not the only athletes in the facility, he was never distracted (and that’s for an entire hour!).  At the conclusion of the lesson, Jason showed me some great activities that I can do with (A) at home to reinforce the skills and to help him to continue to improve.

Jason did an amazing job with (A) but another thing I wanted to call attention to is the atmosphere at RBI.  As a parent this is so important.  The other athletes stopped to wave and smile at my little guy, parents did too.  Coaches stopped to speak to him.  While batting and finishing up a High School Softball team was waiting in the wings.  They began to watch him, asked his name (Super (A)) and then cheered him on for the rest of the session.  He was so proud!  We both left there feeling so lighthearted and happy!  It is worth noting that (A) had never played baseball before the group and private sessions at RBI.  He had played some catch (or watch the ball go by and then chase it), and attended two Boulders games.  As a result of these two sessions at RBI my son has requested that we put up a tee and practice area in the basement, which we of course did.  He requests to go down and play often.  In fact, if you ask him what his favorite sport is he replies baseball (much to his soccer coach mommy’s chagrin).  He had a blast, and I would suggest it to anyone who was looking for a sports class for any child, of any age.

Check them out online http://rbisports.net/  to see their newest offerings including camps and give them a like on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/RBI.Sports.Academy. They can also be contacted at info@rbisports.net or 845-268-9900. 

Jason gets to know (A) at the beginning of class.

(A) enjoys himself while learning the basics of fielding. 

Jason corrects some of (A)’s form. 

Looking like a pro already! 

Check out that follow through! 

A few little corrections had (A) playing like he has been at it for years! 

Jason and (A) joke around while learning. 

Jason shows (A) how to bat. 

Check out that contact!  Notice the group forming in the background.  What you can’t hear is that they were all cheering him on !   What a fun atmosphere!

Jason humors (A) by taking a turn hitting.  

Have a class or service you would like for RocklandNYMom to review?  Email us at RocklandNYMom@yahoo.com !

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post as I was invited to visit a class at MY GYM.  All opinions expressed are my own…

This week I had the honor of reviewing a class at MY GYM Nanuet.  This is a special review for me because my son (A) actually attends class there; he has now for two years. Under their guidance he is thriving.  Even though he attends with my mother in law while I am at work, they are like an extended family.  When my daughter (E) had some health problems over the summer and (A) reacted by having separation anxiety and not wanting to attend class, they were worried and called me to check up on him.  They also went the extra mile and put my account on hold for when he was ready to return.  That just doesn’t happen everywhere you go.

Jasmine and Liz are fantastic!  The kids love them, and so do the parents.  I cannot say enough good things about them.  They know each attendee on a personal level, likes, dislikes, and personalities.  They are always positive, and have the ability to get kids and parents to be comfortable with the most nerve-racking of tasks.  Even hanging upside down on a rope.  It is clear that they understand the body mechanics behind each skill that they teach, as well as the psychological implications; including self-esteem building aspects.

Their schedule of classes as well as complete descriptions for each can be found online.  They have something for everybody, including classes that overlap in age so that if a child is a little bit ahead or behind the curve there are different options for your child.  The classes increase in independence as the children grow which is so nice to see, especially since (A) was there when the classes were mommy and me.  He is now in a class where he participates on his own :o).  The gym also offers two sessions of “Practice and Play” which are open gym sessions.  So (A) goes 3 times a week some weeks.  In addition to regular GYM classes, they also offer an introductory sports program, birthday party packages, camps, and parent night outs.

Since (A) attends already, I visited a different class.  The one I chose was a Gymsters class.  This class typically begins around 23 months and is the bridge class between mommy and me, and becoming independent.  What fun we had, it was a great group of kids and parents who were there.  They were all very participatory, one student even jumped in and helped Jasmine with the opening movements during circle time.

During class Liz and Jasmine seamlessly lead the attendees through a series of different skills, sometimes together and others that are separate.  There is always something for the kids to do, and no standing in line.  There is often fun music that accompanies the skill, and in conjunction with the attitudes of the instructors really helps the kids to get into the activity.  Many of the kids were performing skills that they were uncomfortable with at first with no problem (including a head stand on a balance beam).  Interwoven into the activities are many “teachable” moments where they practice some core educational skills with the students.  These include but were not limited to; spatial relationships (over, under, through, in, above), counting, and colors.  This is all while still working on the basic physical skills of balance, timing, and coordination.

Most importantly (although all of the aforementioned are priorities) the kids love it.  They really have a good time.  They make friends there, and build relationships with each other as well as the instructors.  The parents who attend are open and inviting, cheering on not only their children but those of the others in the class.  Everyone walks in and out of the gym with a smile (plus a sticker and a stamp or two).  In short, I highly recommend MY GYM to anyone who is looking for a gym class for their child.  It is a fantastic value with the potential for 3 visits a week, and the smiles make the experience priceless.

For more information or to see their current offerings for MY GYM please visit their website http://www.mygym.com/nanuet , call (845)624-0811 and check them out on Facebook www.facebook.com/mygymfun .

If you have a business or service that involves children and would like for RocklandNYMom to review it please contact MJ at RocklandNYMom@yahoo.com.

Jasmine begins class by leading circle time.

A student helps lead the warm-up.

During rotations, Jasmine helps a student with a somersault and Liz helps another on the balance beam.

The tunnel is a group favorite!

The class delights in Jasmine and Liz’s antics!

Liz and Jasmine seamlessly tell the class a story.

Liz helps a student in her headstand.

A student takes advantage of some time after class to jump!

There are so many fun obsticles to play with at MY GYM!

Students work on balance as well as color recognition and listening skills.

A student receives his sticker and stamp!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as I was invited to a “Future Sluggers” class.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Today we had the opportunity to check out a “Future Sluggers” class at RBI Sports in Valley Cottage, NY.   RBI sports is a baseball and softball training facility.  They hold small classes like the one that we attended, have personal training, hold birthday parties, mini-camps, and also run a sports camp over the summer at the JCC in West Nyack, NY.  I was really looking forward to checking out this class because of my coaching background.  I love to see how coaches approach different sports with the younger kids.   So when given the opportunity to check this one out, I jumped at the chance.

The “Future Sluggers” class is an introduction to baseball for boys ages 4-7.  The purpose of these 50 minute sessions is to teach the children the basics of the game which include: fielding, running, throwing, hitting, and the kid favorite; sliding.  This is accomplished in a small group setting with a ratio no larger than 8:1.

As this was (A)’s first experience with baseball I inquired about equipment.  All that a player needs to participate is comfortable clothing, sneakers and a good attitude.  RBI has gloves and bats that players can borrow, and the knowledgeable staff will even help you to pick out your equipment when the time comes to purchase your own.

Erik, our coach was fantastic with (A) from the start.  This was the last of a four class session that was finishing up and the other players had already been there.  When we first walked in (A) was a little shy.  Coach Erik introduced himself right away and told him that he could join when he was ready (which of course he was moments later).  He really made (A) feel comfortable and got him to try it out.

As the class began, Erik hit it out of the park.  He broke down the fundamental skills of the game into manageable pieces that the kids could digest.  Erik gave them many ways to remember the specific body positions necessary for mastery with little reminders such as “thumb to thumb” and “pinky to pinky” for fielding.  The atmosphere was light and fun.  The kids really enjoyed being there, and it was evident that they were learning.  The players who had been there for 4 weeks were able to tell Coach Erik how to replicate the positions when asked, and then put them into practice with ease.

After working on the basic fielding skills they played a bit of a mock game where all players had a chance to bat and run the bases.  The other “team” worked on fielding.  The fielders were given dots to stand on that showed them the correct places to stand in relation to the bases.  No one was tagged out, they practiced fielding the ball and throwing to first base.  All players got to run the whole progression of the bases and were allowed to slide into home.  This was a great culminating activity for the session.  The kids had a blast and would have played all day long it seemed.

RBI Sports has lots of space with state of the art equipment, and even though there was a private session going on right next to our class the players were not distracted. You didn’t even know that they were there.  There is also a seating area right outside of the cage where parents can sit and watch.  A very nice environment, the parents and staff were all super friendly, stopping to chat and welcome us.  Al Conti the owner of RBI said that they have great parents and that they love that many parents stay and watch.  They welcome the idea that the parents are learning the necessary skills and correct fundamentals that their child will need for success in the sport.

For more information on RBI Sports please visit their website at www.rbisports.net or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RBI.Sports.Academy. They can also be contacted at info@rbisports.net or 845-268-9900.  

Coach Erik shows the class the fundamentals of fielding above the waist.

(A)   Practices catching.

Once they have the mechanics down, the class practices in their ready stance.

 Coach Erik’s helper works with (A).

The class practices their ground balls.

The team readies themselves for a hit.

Batter up!  (A) uses a tee since it’s his first time.  Coach Erik gives him some pointers.

Sliding into home.

Coach ends the session with everyone taking a knee, and a cheer.