Wee Yoga

Presented by Amy Johnson Chong, LICSW, LMT

Radiant Child Yoga Instructor

Owner and Operator of Mindful Body of Maitland, LLC 

Amy is a licensed Massage Therapist and Clinical Social Worker and is trained in Radiant Child Yoga Levels I and II.  Amy has worked with a diverse population of children from the average school age child to children separated from their parents due to abuse or neglect and living in residential treatment.  In addition, she is a mother of two vibrant and ever changing little ones!

You may have asked yourself why introduce children to yoga?  Yoga is an ancient art of breath and movement and has been practiced by adults and children for centuries around the world.  Today, in our country, more and more adults are finding that yoga has benefited them immensely, not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.  And so it is true for children. 

Children are already sensitive individuals, incredibly tuned into the world around them, influences in their lives and thoughts and fears manifested through their bodies.  Wee Yoga’s purpose is to inspire children to breath, balance and believe in their own strength and wisdom.

Classes are divided along age-appropriate developmental lines and create a fun and accepting atmosphere where children can be at ease and concentrate on improving their own abilities and confidence.  Wee Yoga classes incorporate various activities such as craft projects, music, games, videos, and story telling to engage each child and ease them into the core tenants of a yoga practice.

Wee Yoga classes are appropriate for children who want to increase their athletic ability or those who are simply looking for a place to have fun.  The more active exercises can be callisthenic and aerobic, increasing the child’s heart rate and tapping into their dynamic energy.  The holding of poses increases focus, coordination and muscle tone, while brief meditation activities help a child learn how to manage their impulses, and self regulate.  Increasing a child’s ability to calm him or herself down without external assistance can never be a bad thing!  Yoga and meditation help a child to become aware and sensitive to the feelings in his or her body and for older children, emotions or thoughts that may not be serving them in a positive way.

Wee Yoga uses enthusiasm and imagination to promote the following benefits:

• Improves left and right coordination
• Promotes better listening comprehension
• Increases flexibility and endurance
• Promotes and increases positive thoughts toward others and self
• Increases self motivated discipline
• Promotes team work based on the need for cooperation rather than competition
• Relaxes anxiety
• And increases Bi-lateral coordination