The Benefits of Kids Yoga Camp

By Donna Freeman

Q: Why should I enrol my child in kids yoga summer camp?

A: Summer camps for kids are a time honoured tradition with numerous benefits. Many camps are an opportunity to further a child’s talents in sports, the arts, academics, etc. Yoga camp in particular addresses a child’s interests and enthusiasm while providing a fully integrated learning experience allowing for transformation, empowerment and positive change.

The greatest benefit to attending kids yoga camp is that the activities address the whole child, nurturing the development of each individual, promoting successful, well-rounded young people. This includes the following elements:

Physical

At yoga camp participants acquire and practice good health practises. Yoga poses, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques are skills that will last a lifetime. Children learn to listen to the body and respect it by providing proper nutrition, invigoration and relaxation.

Mental

Children flourish in a stimulating and engaging yoga environment by nurturing their innate desire to learn. Academic skills are seamlessly integrated throughout a well-balanced kids yoga program while imagination is fostered through guided visualization, crafts and stories.

Emotional

Mindful awareness is essential to developing empathy and appreciating the wonder of life. At yoga camp children are invited to discover and rejoice in their individuality, developing their self- knowledge, self-esteem and ability to relate to others in caring and truthful ways.

Social

Yoga camp provides opportunities to make friends and develop social skills. Partner and group poses are interactive, developing interpersonal skill such as cooperation and communication. Children also learn risk taking by trying something new and build confidence by succeeding at challenging yoga poses.

Spiritual

Societal values and morals such as kindness, compassion and service are modeled and taught at kids yoga camp. Each child is encouraged to find identity, meaning, and purpose in life through connections to self, to the community, and to the natural world.

Kids yoga camp is the equivalent of a yoga intensive for adults simply tailor made for children’s minds, bodies and spirits. It is a week of investigation and learning, engagement and self-awareness. Above all kids yoga camp is a place of caring, understanding and creativity steeped in playful exploration and fun.

This summer Kids Yoga Camp is offered at The Water Garden at The Enjoy Centre. Running July 11-15^th  from 9:00-12:00 or 1:00-4:00, children aged 5-11 can experience the above benefits first hand. Register by contacting william@health-hub.ca or calling 780-504-5022.

Expert in yoga for kids and teens, Donna Freeman is the founder of Yogainmyschool.com and the author of Once Upon a Pose: A Guide to Yoga Adventure Stories for Children. Her classes are inspired by children’s personal interests and filled with enthusiasm, creativity and joy. She believes that yoga is for anyone, anywhere at anytime and loves to share the joy and benefits of the practice with all.