This was way back in Johor Bahru. There was a lovely Iyengar Yoga teacher named Ms. Devi that rented a small lot in (at the time) famous shopping mall, Holiday Plaza in Taman Century, Johor Bahru. My mom, which was rather into numerology, astrology and at the time yoga, was practically beaming with joy when she found Ms. Devi! So that started my little yoga journey with my other 2 siblings.
Susan Leow and her little Kids Yoga class Saturday group. The kids yoga I attended back then had the same 'feel'! Different ages, different sizes, different colors - but we really didn't care about differences.
So where is this story going?
Speaking to Susan, I realized that I DID in fact benefited from those Kids Yoga classes, which at the time, being a little preschooler didn't know what was happening at all, I just followed everybody in the kids yoga class. Bits of memories came back and I remember sticking my tongue out, on all fours pretending to be a lion and watching my older sisters doing headstands! One thing for sure, as I look back.. those weekly trips to Holiday Plaza to go for Ms.Devi's class truly meant quality fun time with my siblings.. and of course, White Castle burgers with mom and dad right after. It's these little treasure drops of memories that we would like to give our children for sure. My parents did a great job in this aspect.
Kids yoga gives children a stress-free and technology-free environment to play
Okay, now back to my conversation with Susan..
She expressed rather passionately that despite the advantages of fast-paced technology and the birth of iPhones and iPads (we both grew up only knowing that, if you want to reach your parents when they are late to pick you up from school, you need to find a - most of the time, broken down - payphone), that this very technology is robbing our children of the many childhood experiences most of us had before. Running around the field doing cartwheels to impress and show off to our friends, playing 'batu seremban', jump rope with linked-up rubber bands and using the earth as our canvas to draw and leave 'SMS's' to people. It all boils down to how we used our imagination. Even with leaves, sand and a few flowers - we could make make believe pots of rendang playing 'masak-masak'.
Socializing skills and the importance of team work is a focus in Kids Yoga
The 'not so good' parts of children growing up with too much technology around them:
- They feel tired and lethargic very fast. This I believe is due to the lack of physical engagement.
- They get addicted to social media apps and use all their spare time playing games on their iPhones/iPads. Susan used the words 'cannot let go' which pretty much sums it all. Hence, the word - addiction.
- Eyesight and posture problems. Which if I may add, for a growing child may cause other problems in future.
- More prone to getting headaches
- They grow up having very short attention spans (and sometimes, short temper as well - since everything evolves around instant gratification).
Kids yoga is for kids aged 3 - 11 years
Builds confidence and strength in children
Susan, explained to me further how Kids Yoga (for children 3-11 years) helps to even out the playing field. Counter attack technology so to speak. As she nibbled on her rice salad, she gave me these few interesting snippets of information.
- Kids yoga helps distract children from being glued to their computers and iPads and encourage them to socialize with other children through fun exercises and games
- Kids yoga, for the lack of a better word, actually 'tricks' children to exercise through use of class themes such as 'a trip to the zoo', 'family love', 'friendship' and much more.
- Storytelling and fun music used in Kids yoga classes encourages children to use their imagination and natural creativity.
- Partner yoga, which is often a focus in Kids yoga classes teaches children to learn the value of trust and the importance of working as a team
- Kids yoga participants tend to be more focused, less hyperactive (and more calm), have better posture and breathing (Susan teaches easy breathing exercises).
Susan teaches simple breathing exercises in Kids Yoga
Kids yoga is not competitive, with no grading system.
Children are allowed to grow at their own pace.
What is a Kids Yoga class like?
Truly, I have watched several of Susan's kids yoga classes in motion, and it almost seems like a 'quick getaway' for the kids. Getaway from the stress of school and yes, tuition classes. Susan then said something that made so much sense, but of course never dawned upon me. Have a mentioned that her son, Allen attends her classes as well? This is what Susan told me - a light bulb moment for me. So leave you with this. It is definitely something to ponder over.
Children are able to just 'let go' and be themselves
"Children tend to thrive in a non competitive, fun environment. Yoga is not really looked upon as a skill compared to perhaps ballet, playing the piano or even more competitive sports like even figure skating. But what really is considered a 'skill'? We don't have exams in Kids Yoga and there is no 'grading system'.
Kids yoga allows children to just 'let go', helps them learn to be comfortable in their own skin and just be themselves. Every activity or exercises in class is built up naturally and at a slow but steady pace to make sure every child stays on track and doesn't get left behind.
We let children, just be children. There is no real hurry in growing up."
~ Susan Leow, Surya Yoga Kids Yoga teacher
Namaste
Elirus
please visit http://www.suryayoga.com.my/
to find out more about Susan Leow's Kids Yoga classes and
upcoming Kids Yoga 'Back to Basics' workshop
13 July, Sunday 11am-4pm (lunch included)
RM 45 per child
RM 45 per child
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