I’ve always been a big advocate of yoga and it’s benefits for pre-natal energising and postpartum healing that a mother’s body needs. Yoga isn’t just about stretching and breathing, it is a system of physical, mental and spiritual practices that has been around for thousands of years. Yoga is about flexibility of body, and stillness of mind. It’s a practice that I have grown up with, and I want to make sure my little one grows up with too.
If you’ve been following us on Instagram (wait, why not? Go now! @practicalmum), you’d have seen stories and posts of my little darling looking like he’s having a lot of fun being upside down and jumping all around while doing some cool yoga asanas. For the past year and a half, ever since he’s found his balance, our little toddler has shown a great affinity towards repeating whichever pose he sees mumma trying out. Of course it makes for fun photo-ops, but I’d been on the lookout for something that can actually channel this enthusiasm more productively.
Enter YogiToday.
An initiative started by Ruchi and Shilpa, YogiToday is an effort to bring together products and experiences that connect with the yogi of today. They aim to reach the modern urban yogi living in cities, going to work, taking care of family, interacting socially, living a normal urban life. But also seeking to touch base with other higher sides of the self, by using yoga as a tool. As Ruchi says, “We don’t want people to wait till they’re old or injured to explore Yoga. We want them to do it as early as possible, and enhance their quality of life and experiences using this age old science of living.”
One of the unique experiences they offer is a so called summer camp for little Yogis. It’s a week long hour-a-day workshop, and it seemed like an ideal way to introduce my threenager to the basics. And I know now that I definitely made the right choice.
Ruchi & Shilpa have curated a perfect 5-day camp introducing yoga to children by focusing on different themes each day. They use music, stories, puppets, poetry and movement to make sure the children have a whole bucketload of fun while learning about the basics of breathing, balance, focus, stretching and even meditation. Each day is a new adventure, from a space tour on a rocket ship, to a farm ride with animals. These two happy souls make sure the hour is filled with positive energy, catchy songs, little life lessons, and of course the basics of asanas. Kids love animals, and this is indeed the best way to get them excited about regular yoga poses – by naming them in a fun and simple way. My little one couldn’t get over that he can become a horse, then a grasshopper, then a doggie who shakes his tail (absolutely adorably by the way!)
A super fun workshop for sure, and if you’re in Mumbai with a child aged between 3 to 6 years, do check out their Facebook page for details of upcoming events.
I caught up with team after the week to dig for some more gyaan on why they feel yoga is so important for all ages. Read on..
What gave you the idea to start a yoga camp for such young ones?
We strongly believe that children are born Yogis. They don’t need to be encouraged too much to practice yoga. For instance, if they see their parents do something they follow. The physical asanas are fun for them, it gives them pleasure. Children are also more connected with their physical bodies. We all see this from the youngest age, like when a baby is full, she will refuse to nurse anymore, or how diligently infants follow their biorhythms and routines. Unfortunately the way our modern lifestyle is set up, they end up losing this intelligence. We believe that if one introduces yoga to them in a fun way, it helps them to stay connected with that inner yogi. As they grow up and the pressures of studies and social obligations increase, even though children may not practice the asanas everyday it will remain in their subconscious somewhere and they will return to yoga to seek answers.
Just like swimming, we definitely feel yoga is a life saving skill; an essential requirement. Given the kind of stress that is in store for our kids, yoga can equip them to deal with it.
A lot of people are concerned about what is the right age to start yogic practice. What do you recommend?
First things first, any parent who believes that their child should learn yoga should themselves join a yoga class. It’s as simple as that. You will not even need to teach yoga to them. Your kids are like sponges absorbing every little thing. When they see you getting stronger in the body and mind, gaining more control of your diet and emotions, they will follow you.
Technically, the right age for formal classes could be around 8 or 9 years. For younger yogis, it can be addressed as workshops, like our summer camps, which incorporate a fun way of learning.
What benefits can a child get from yoga when they don’t yet understand the concept of sitting still in one place?
This might come as a surprise but we have actual pictures of 3-year-olds enjoying meditation and Pranayam.
As parents who constantly keep mobiles in our hands, or the TV on, we ourselves are distracted. So when we shout instructions at them – they tune out. The parents’ instructions become background noise. If we become more focused and calm (hopefully by joining a yoga class!) they can definitely sense it. Our workshops have proven to us time and again that kids crave the calmness and that ‘me’ time. They love to breathe and connect with the inner body. In fact we as parents have not been able to give the opportunity for them to express this side.
When my son was younger he used to come sit in my lap while I practiced my pranayams. The rhythm of my breath used to soothe him. So don’t judge your kids (saying that they have no concentration, are hyperactive… etc) practice yourself what you want to preach. And you might just be surprised how easily they are able to sit calmly.
Someone once warned me that little ones supposedly have more sensitive auras, and it might not be really appropriate to introduce them to yoga. What’s your take on this?
I feel things like auras, energies etc are more intuitive and a matter of faith. If you believe in something, you see it manifesting. If you don’t, then it may or may not happen and you don’t even register it.
But whether it is yoga or anything else, I believe that you should not approach things with fear. Keep your hearts open, ready to love and receive from the universe and everything will be ok. Of course the choice of what is best for your child rests with the parents, but consider things logically and don’t let fear guide you.
Are there any tips you’d like to share for mothers to make yoga a part of daily lives for children?
Like I said before, more mothers should join yoga classes. Yoga automatically will become not just a part of their life, and their kids’ life, but a way of living for the entire family. Everyone wants to be healthy and happy, and in today’s world we all strive for stress-free living. If mothers lead the way, the whole family and maybe community can follow too.
Lastly, how frequently do you run yoga camps / training for toddlers and where can people enrol?
Since our kids are already doing so many things through the day we don’t believe in regular classes for yoga. We prefer to arrange workshops so that little seeds of age-appropriate yoga can be planted in their young minds. We work around the school schedules conducting yoga workshops and camps for the little ones.
We also work on yoga themed birthday celebrations. We organise activities that are fun but connected with kids yoga, and we have a fantastic return gift called the Yogi Box which has a curated mix of products which the little yogis love. It can be modified as per your budget and works really well with the kids.
For more on the great work these Yogis are doing, check out YogiToday on Facebook (YogiToday) and Instagram (@YogiTodayIndia), and of course their online home, YogiToday.com.
They speak and believe after my own heart.
Yoga, anytime anywhere.
