by Elizabeth Connolly
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Recently, Pint Sized Yoga premiered at the Needham Free Public Library (NFPL). The 35 minute yoga program, which is specifically geared for children between the ages of four and seven, guided children through yoga poses in a fun and playful way. It was, as one young participant put it “a great way to start the day!”
Pint Sized Yoga is led by experienced yoga instructor Carol Kagan, who has been teaching children specifically for over 17 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Early Childhood Education from Cornell University, and holds a certification in yoga for children from Kripalu Center for Yoga in Lenox, Massachusetts. “I try to make it fun,” Ms. Kagan explained. “And it’s okay if they don’t participate right away, or even at all. They learn by observing, and get what they need out of the program”.
Saturday’s class contained about a dozen participants of various ages, though the library strongly recommends that children be at least four to attend. Small yoga squares were provided for the children, and chairs in the back were for the caregivers. Registration took place online in advance, as each class size is limited for maximum enjoyment. In addition to classic yoga poses and breath work, a fun game of freeze dance was played. The children danced until a song stopped, and then froze in a yoga pose. All of the kids seemed to love it, and there were smiles all around. One little girl kept running to her grown up to say how much fun she was having.
“It was a great group today,” Kagan said. “Both the kids and the adults were wonderful. I’m looking forward to coming back next month!”
This program was sponsored by both the Friends of NFPL and the Needham Library Foundation. It is scheduled to be held monthly, on a Saturday, and all pertinent information can be found at NeedhamLibrary.org.
