Yoga offers a range of benefits for kids as well as adults. Kids can build body awareness while improving flexibility and strength, and yoga can help with calmness, focus, and relaxation.
Still, finding the right yoga class for your child can feel like a challenge when you don’t know where to look. That’s where Crème de la Crème of Ellisville comes in. We’ve put together this guide to finding great yoga classes for kids in our area.
How To Choose the Best Yoga Style for Your Child
“person doing yoga on floor” used with permission via Unsplash by jmason
First things first. When you’re looking for yoga classes in the area, how do you know what’s right for your child? You’ll want to think about the different options out there and how they fit in with your child’s unique needs, age, and personality. Take some time to look into what a given yoga style means and consider if that style would work well for your kid. For example, younger kids might need a simpler style like Yin yoga, while older kids can dive into more complex yoga styles such as Vinyasa yoga.
You’ll find yoga classes that focus on breathing exercises that are great for kids that need some guidance learning how to calm their minds as well as classes ideal for kids that want to build strength and flexibility. No matter which style you think your child will enjoy, you’ll want to explore classes that go beyond just perfecting yoga poses. Breathing and meditative activities can offer even more benefits for younger yogis. Here are four options in the area to get you started!
Complete Harmony
You’ll find an amazing option for kid-friendly yoga in Maplewood at Complete Harmony. Kids yoga classes here use asanas, or postures, as well as pranayama, or breath, like some of your favorite yoga classes geared toward adults. However, these classes also bring in creative activities like art, games, and music to make yoga into a fun and ongoing practice for kids.
Classes focus on how poses and various activities feel instead of forcing kids to fit into a “proper” alignment, creating mindfulness practices in a safe space perfect for kids. In fact, Complete Harmony is the first trauma-informed youth yoga studio in St. Louis, offering services for kids who experienced trauma or have anxiety. The trauma-sensitive approach uses creativity and compassion, empowering kids to connect with themselves and the world through mindfulness and yoga. Classes give kids permission to explore different postures and ways to solve problems, express themselves, and work as a team.
All in all, the approach gives kids control over what their yoga sessions look and feel like, so they can make the yoga practice unique and beneficial. Children can move at their own pace as they learn, exploring beyond their immediate comfort level and developing a sense of safety. You’ll find classes and services for newborns through young adults, so you’re sure to find a class that meets your kid’s needs. You can also reach out to develop a personalized experience.
Kid Partners Creative Therapy for Kids
Kid Partners Creative Therapy for Kids in St. Louis serves kiddos of all ages and varied abilities through creative pediatric services. One awesome offering? Their Kid Partners Yoga classes! These classes and events draw on yoga poses, breathing activities, movement, music, relaxation, and more to give kids tools for finding calmness and focus. The non-competitive and nurturing environment allows children to become more comfortable and confident with their bodies.
You can find a range of monthly classes through Kid Partners, including the “Little Yogis Kiddo & Caregiver” classes designed for preschoolers. They also offer pajama yoga for school-age kids and a girl power class for girls between 9 and 12 years old. You can even plan a birthday party or group activity for kids!
If you’re looking for one-on-one yoga therapy, you can find it here as well for children of any age. The direct attention allows for appropriate modifications, yoga games, and relaxation activities that focus on individual strategies and participants’ specific needs.
Mindful Movement & Art at Masterpeace Studios
Masterpeace Studios, located in Webster Groves, offers a Mindful Movement & Art program perfect for kids looking to get into yoga. The studio as a whole aims to bring together people dedicated to health and happiness, striving to inspire and empower people of all ages to follow a mindful, holistic approach to healthy living. Their Mindful Movement & Art program engages kids’ imaginations, helping kids learn ways to express feelings in healthy ways.
The program is great for schools and organizations serving children. You can take a field trip to the studio or book them to come to you. No matter what you choose, you can look forward to treating your child to an activity that builds self-esteem, all while having tons of fun. Girl Scout Troops can sign up for private yoga classes or book a session with an instructor who can help the troop earn age-level awards, too.
Want to get in on the fun? Masterpeace Studios plans to offer these workshops for adults as well, so check their schedule for an upcoming workshop you can join.
Salveo Yoga
Salveo Yoga, another amazing option in the St. Louis area, offers yoga classes for both kids and adults. After all, this studio believes yoga is a practice everyone can enjoy, so they offer classes and programs for all ages and skill levels. The independent studio helps participants explore yoga’s benefits at parks, local schools, and more.
When it comes to kids’ classes, their age-appropriate sessions integrate learning and movement to teach children about yoga and mindfulness. Yoga becomes a pathway to building healthy minds and bodies, all while supporting the emotional, physical, and social well-being of class participants. Kids get to take part in playful classes that spark curiosity, directing their energy and building confidence while discovering their own inner strength.
Breathing techniques, positive affirmations, relaxation practices, and more characterize the kids classes Salveo Yoga offers. Kids find inspiration for making mindful connections to the world that surrounds them, discovering focus and calm they can use in and beyond their yoga classes.That concludes Crème de la Crème of Ellisville’s guide to finding kid-friendly yoga classes close to home. Does your child have a yoga studio or class they love in the area that we missed? Let us know so we can add it!