Do you think children don't have the attention span to practice yoga? Several instructors in Berks who offer kids yoga classes might make you think otherwise.
They say kids can and do focus on the art, and they reap most of the same benefits as adults. A local pediatrician also gives a thumbs up to this alternative form of physical activity for your child.
Amy Sharkey of West Reading and Stacey Campbell of Wyomissing are both yoga instructors armed with special training in teaching kids yoga as well as master's degrees in the field of education.
Sharkey, 32, instructor and owner of Kindred Spirits Yoga, operates as an independent contractor. Sharkey tailors age specific yoga programs on site to meet the needs of clients ranging from preschools to organizations such as Girl Scouts. She also conducts classes for private birthday parties and will even conduct a family class in your home.
Prior to becoming a yoga instructor, Sharkey was no stranger to working with children.
"In my former life I was an elementary school teacher," she said. "I taught for 12 years."
After participating in a special yoga training course in New York for kids, she realized a new career was on the horizon.
Sharkey is used to people reacting in disbelief when she discusses the age of the students in her new profession.
"It's so much fun," she said. "It's amazing to see a 3 year old be able to focus for a half an hour. People don't believe me when I say I teach 3 or 4 year-olds yoga class."
Her 4 year old son, Aidan, enjoys practicing with her on occasion, she said.
'When is yoga?'
Sharkey encourages skeptical parents to come out and try it with their kids for the first session.
By Courtney H. Diener-Stokes
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
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