Janet Williams had barely started studying yoga when her instructor pegged her as a future teacher of the centuries old posture and breathing exercises.
Children try yoga moves featured in a new book "What I see, I can Be" at a parenting and family literacy centre at Northern Heights public school in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
That was in 1988 when the Sault Ste. Marie native was a second-year English major at University of Western Ontario.
"When I was doing the yoga I felt, 'This is amazing.' When I left, I felt so good," said Williams.
"I was so calm and so relaxed."
Her teacher's prediction was accurate. Williams started teaching yoga in 1996 and has studied the art not only in Canada, but also in Australia, England and Spain.
Earlier this decade, friend and former schoolmate Gratia Giovanatti suggested that with Williams' educational background, she's also a York University faculty of education graduate, she pen her own yoga book.
It took eight long years, but her first work is now published.
"What I See, I Can Be: A Guided Yoga Flow for Children" was released Sept. 1 through her own publishing effort, Light Connections Press.
The book and accompanying CD of "soothing" music encourages teachers, parents and youth group leaders with no yoga experience to lead youngsters aged three to nine in 13 different moves.
"We have to model (physical activity) to our children," she said.
"If we do not show how important exercise is, how important to move your body is, how are children ever going to know that's an important thing?"
Children, said Williams, benefit from strengthening, stretching and concentrating during traditional exercises with kid-friendly names such as dog, tree and cat.
"The kids love it. They want to move their bodies. They're designed to move their bodies," she said.
"Children cannot grow into healthy adults if they haven't moved during their childhood."
Williams hopes her work can be used by elementary school teachers during mandated 20 minute daily physical activity in their classrooms.
By Brian Kelly
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
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