Sweat Pea Yoga

• What makes Sweet Pea KIDS Yoga different?
  Sweet Pea KIDS was developed as an original, educationally-based yoga class by Sweet Pea Yoga founder Alexandra De Collibus. Alexandra witnessed through years of teaching that kids had a remarkable ability to understand the importance of yoga--an understanding that seemed to go beyond their years--even at a very young age. That the children found joy in practicing yoga was not surprising at all but it was the reverence they held for yoga that was truly exceptional. It was this that inspired Sweet Pea KIDS. 

  Sweet Pea KIDS is different. Alexandra believes in the great capacity children have for developing awareness, concentration, and mindfulness, and this program is designed to support that. In class we are not "playing yoga" but rather we aim to "be yoga" which is to live in a way that invites love, compassion, awareness, patience, and peacefulness in our time together in class and as individuals outside of the classroom. Of course this isn't to say we aren't playful! In fact, the activities the children are introduced to are fun, active, and accessible so kids can readily learn in a joyful, relaxed atmosphere free of competition. Kids are encouraged to express who they are by tailoring their yoga practice to challenge themselves or to try new things. Sweet Pea KIDS empowers the children to know themselves best by trusting them to be responsible for their own well-being and choices. Sweet Pea KIDS Yoga is a flexible curriculum that can build on the interests and dynamic of each class, not just session-by-session but from week to week.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Sweet Pea KIDS Yoga 

• My child has never done yoga before--is it necessary for him to have prior Itsy Bitsy Yoga experience before joining the Sweet Pea KIDS class?
  You'll be pleased to know that no prior yoga experience is necessary for children to enjoy and comfortably learn yoga in the KIDS class. In all classes with Sweet Pea Yoga, children are encouraged to learn at their own pace by drawing from their own abilities and strengths. Children will find some poses are easier to get the hang of while other poses will be more challenging. We believe in allowing children to discover their own greatest potential by introducing them to a range of poses, exercises, and meditation styles so children can learn what works best for them, where their strengths are that day, and see which areas can be developed further with more attention and awareness. 

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• My child suffers from anxiety--how can yoga help bring relief? 
  In Sweet Pea KIDS, children are always given space to participate at their own level and comfort. Some children jump right in while others need time to warm up to class each week and this class is conducive to both personalities. Kids will learn a variety of proven yoga techniques that can be beneficial for relaxation, concentration, self-soothing, and developing better awareness in their bodies, minds, and actions. As any student of yoga knows, the practice of yoga takes us well beyond the postures we might recognize in a given picture. This educational class will teach children a variety of breathing techniques and activities that can be useful for calming the mind, body, and spirit. When we are able to calm and relax our minds, we can begin to learn and live more fruitfully and joyfully. The practice of yoga--the techniques introduced in this class--will provide your child with a toolbox of skills they can draw from when they are feeling anxious at home, school, or anywhere. By discovering which techniques work for them, children can gain a sense of control by knowing how to help themselves through difficult or anxious episodes.  Children are encouraged to practice these techniques and postures at home and to share what they've learned with family members. 

• Is Sweet Pea KIDS Yoga the right fit for every kid?

Sweet Pea KIDS was developed in a way that can be adapted to the group as a whole, their interests, and to be able to explore more deeply when the group is drawn to certain concepts, poses or meditation techniques. Our KIDS class is a distinct and different program than Itsy Bitsy Yoga—the parent-child classes we offer.

Just as no two children are alike, Sweet Pea KIDS is not a one size fits all yoga class. Kids with a diversity of interests and personalities can thrive in Sweet Pea KIDS—they are able to just be themselves—but it’s valuable to recognize that our approach is just one of many approaches to yoga. If a parent is questioning whether their child is a good fit for any class they are encouraged to reach out prior to registering.

Quite simply, some kids are happiest in a parent-child (family yoga) class or thrive more fully in a semi-private or very small yoga class. Some children are a natural fit for a yoga class that is more play-focused or get extra support in a therapy-based yoga setting. It is essential that each child participates in a way that is responsible and safe for their own body as well as supportive of the safety of the other children in the class. When a child is unable to meet that important qualification (intentionally or unintentionally) or if the instructor perceives a risk, it is at the discretion of the instructor that the child may be asked to discontinue the session immediately, with no refund. To this end, we promise honesty and clear communication with the parents when it seems that a child may be better suited to a different approach to yoga. We share the same goal of supporting your child and wanting the very best for him.