The journey began with Simon Kerle, the visionary behind Yoga Bears Kids Yoga, pondering the benefits he reaped from his yoga practice. The question echoed in his mind: "Why not extend these advantages to children?"
Fast forward to 2023 and Grow Early Education to date has eight (8) of its long day care centres across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria with children’s yoga provided as an extra-curricular activity - offered through Yoga Bears of course!
Simon speaks about the collaboration between Yoga Bears and Grow Early Education, “We believe that you’re never too young to benefit from and fall in love with yoga. This is why we formed a strong partnership with Grow Early Education and their long day care centres across Australia. We place our accredited children’s yoga teachers into their childcare centres to host yoga classes for 1 to 5-year-old children,” said Simon.
Children's yoga is gaining popularity as a holistic approach to fostering physical fitness and nurturing emotional and mental well-being in children. Simon thinks that providing children’s yoga as an extra-curricular activity in our centres is a great reason for parents to choose a Grow Early Education centre for their child to attend.
“If parents see the benefit of yoga for children and realise that they (Grow Early Education) are offering something unique in their childcare centres and that it will really help their kids, I think it would be an easy choice for them,” he said.
Children's yoga is more than a physical activity—it's a holistic approach to nurturing the mind, body, and soul of a child.
The Yoga Bear classes for children are of course, very different to an adult yoga class. They incorporate games, storytelling, singing, and other engaging activities tailored to captivate young minds with shorter attention spans.
Simon describes their Yoga Bear classes as “A mix of song, dance, yoga postures, stories and games, all designed to keep children engaged and aware. Relaxation time with breathing & meditation techniques brings about mindful behaviour at the end.”
Despite the difference between an adult’s and a child’s yoga session, the benefits are evident—higher engagement, a regulated nervous system, improved concentration to name a few…
The Benefits of Children's Yoga
Physical Health: Children's yoga poses are designed to enhance flexibility, balance, and strength. Through these gentle exercises, children develop better coordination and body awareness, laying a foundation for a healthy lifestyle.
Emotional Regulation: Yoga encourages children to connect with their emotions and understand them better. Through breathing exercises and mindfulness, they learn how to manage stress, anxiety, and anger, promoting emotional resilience.
Improved Concentration: Yoga teaches children to focus on their breath and body, enhancing concentration and mindfulness. These skills can translate into improved behaviour.
Boosted Confidence: Mastering yoga poses boosts children's confidence and self-esteem. As they achieve physical milestones, they develop a sense of pride in their abilities, fostering a positive self-image.
Social Skills: Children's yoga classes often involve group activities, encouraging social interaction and cooperation. This collaborative environment helps children learn important social skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork.
Certified yoga instructors visit Grow Early Education centres weekly to deliver the yoga program as an extra-curricular activity. Best of all, this is included as part of our daily fee so there is no extra cost.
We are proud to provide children’s yoga as an extra-curricular activity at the following childcare centres:
- Grow Early Education Frankston, VIC
- Grow Early Education Narre Warren North, VIC
- Grow Early Education Kelso, NSW
- Grow Early Education Riverton, QLD
- Grow Early Education Maroochydore, QLD
- Grow Early Education Toowoomba, QLD
- Grow Early Education Darling Heights, QLD
- Grow Early Education Bridgeman Downs, QLD
By integrating yoga into the weekly routine, Grow Early Education equips children with invaluable tools to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience, guiding them toward a healthier, happier, and more balanced future. Namaste!
If you are interested in finding out more about our children’s yoga program and other extra-curriculars we offer as part of our service, please phone us on 1300 934 769.
