Yoga4Kids is run by Sara Kent.

What is Yoga4Kids?
Yoga4Kids is a series of programmes devised specifically for the ages 0 to 10 years and children with special needs. These are split into two groups: baby classes - 0 months to 3 yeah and toddler/child classes - 3 to 10 years.
For centuries people have benefited from the positive effects of yoga. Unfortunately, the inclination is to wait until maturity and only then to look for a natural safe therapy to overcome the stresses of living in today's modern fast paced life. However, starting yoga front a very early age can prevent suffering from the strains of later life. It can be of particular benefit to children with special needs by helping them to develop the necessary skills to progress successfully into their mature years.

How Does Yoga4Kids Work?
Yoga4Kids has been designed with children in mind and consists of a series of exercises combining balanced body postures with breathing techniques which help to increase awareness of one's own body. It also helps to recognise the body's strengths and flexibility promotes muscle tone and balance and improves posture, motor co-ordination and concentration.

Classes are kept to a maximum of 6 children. Each class involving children of a similar age and developmental stage. An initial assessment each child is placed in the most beneficial programme to encourage and awareness.
Compared to the more serious side of adult yoga (i.e. chanting and meditation), Yoga4Kids is fun and uses easily identifiable references and analogies specific to a child at play.

Yogci4Special Kids
Yoga4Special Kids stems from an American organisation called "Yoga for the Special Child" founded by yoga teacher Sonia Sumar who was inspired to devise this programme following the birth of her baby who had Down's syndrome. Sonia worked with her own child and then other children with special needs such as Down's syndrome, cerebral palsy. autism, microc ephaly and those with learning and behavioural difficulties. She noticed that those children undertaking yoga therapy appeared to benefit and progress far more quickly and suffered less from their disabilities than those who had not practised yoga therapy.
She took this a stage further and upon growth extensive research, devised a programme specifically for children with special needs.
Parents of child yoga participants also benefit as they are encouraged to become actively involved in the sessions which give than a greater understanding of their child's needs together with a renewed closer bond. They are also taught various exercises to practice with their child away from the class environment to ensure his or her continued progress.

Already a qualified Yoga teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga, Sara travelled to the U.S. to qualify with Yoga for the Special Child. I have now brought this practice to the UK offering various programmes, either in a class situation or on a one to one basis, depending upon your child's needs, abilities and disabilities. This again will be determined at an initial assessment.

Yoga4Kids

Sara Kent,  Dip.BWY

Merline Cottage, Nelson Road, Bishop's Stortford, Herts CM23 3LH

Tel: 01279 655 674  email:merline@ntlworld.com

Yoga4Kids sessions at Palace was set up with support from
The Down's Syndrome Association London Branch