Strike A Pose

June 23rd, 2016

With yoga making a resurgence, one Adelaide Hills local is bringing the discipline to young children and their families.

Yoga instructor Tammy Pahl has introduced yoga classes for toddlers and kindergarten age children and is seeing a raft of benefits.

Focussing on a number of activities including music, dance and storytelling, Tammy's classes are more than just your average kindergym.

“It is a very social class and children are learning how to interact with other children and their families,” Tammy said.

“The yoga part in particular helps children with their hand-eye coordination and teaches them about their bodies and what they can do.”

Parents are encouraged to participate with their children and engage in a range of activities that brings them closer to their child.

“It's a class with no other distractions – a time to be with one another,” Tammy said.

“It is beautiful to watch the children laughing with their parents and watching them enjoy time together playing.”

Studies have shown that yoga has a number of benefits, particularly for young children which has been well documented over the past decade in a number of scientific studies.

It's physical advantages include improved flexibility as well as balance and coordination but its psychological and emotional benefits are just as important.

Studies have shown that particularly in young children, yoga helps to develop focus and concentration.

Yoga has also been seen to help children who live with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as well as some disorders on the autism spectrum.

With concentration on breathing and mindfulness, some studies in these areas have yielded results indicating less aggressive behaviour and a decrease in hyperactive behaviour.

Kirstie Beaumont-Holmes attends the weekly class with her three and a half year old son, Matthew, and says that there is an equal amount of benefits for parents too.

“I had always wanted to do yoga and had done a number of other fitness type classes,” Kirstie said.

“This class is just fantastic because it encompasses so many things – doing physical activity, storytime, a mothers group – all of which are really important.”

Matthew enjoys Tammy's classes so much that the family have organised a 'back up person' to take Matthew to class if Kirstie can't.

“He absolutely loves it and gets upset if he can't go,” Kirstie said.

“He is an energetic little soul and the class gives him the opportunity to be free and to be calm.”

As a working mum of two, Kirstie enjoys the weekly scheduled time that she gets to spend one-on-one with Matthew.

“He really enjoys the calming breathing exercises and Tammy always ties in the theme of the lesson with a story book which he really loves,” she said.

“He loves Tammy as a teacher – we have a pet goat that he calls Tammy.”

Tammy has a packed timetable of classes with something for all ages and has recently added pre-natal yoga.

“People come and do yoga for a whole variety of reason and its great because everyone can do it regardless of their age or ability,” Tammy said.

“It improves your ability to stop and listen to your body in a non-competitive environment and complements so many different sports by helping to improve performance and prevent injury.”

Classes are conducted at Blooming Hearts Yoga and Wellness - upstairs, Building 20 at the Old Woollen Mill in Lobethal.

For more information, search Blooming Hearts Yoga and Wellness on Facebook, or call Tammy on 0432 980 550.

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