What is an asana practice?

Asana is a Sanskrit term most often translated as "posture" or "pose." It refers to the physical practice of yoga. In the West, when we speak of "yoga" we most often mean the practice of yoga asanas. An asana practice has many benefits. Physical benefits include increased strength, flexibility, and balance. Additionally, an asana practice improves motor planning skills and brings a sense of mindfulness to one's movement.

How does Bodymind Learning use yoga?

Although all yoga is therapeutic by nature, there is a difference between a typical children's yoga class and the group or private yoga sessions Bodymind Learning provides. This difference is largely due to intention. Whereas the purpose of a children's yoga class is to teach students how to practice yoga, our focus is on managing symptoms or behaviors that are the result of specific conditions. Some of the conditions we support include ADHD/ADD, learning disabilities, and anxiety and stress. What we have in common with a traditional children's yoga class is an emphasis on mindfulness, social connection, and fun. Your child's physical and emotional safety is always our highest priority.

Is yoga a religion?

Yoga itself is not a religion, however yoga shares the same "common ancestor" of three world religions: Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Out of respect to the sensibilities of all our families, at Bodymind Learning we teach yoga using a secular approach. In particular, we use kid-friendly, English names for postures (as opposed to their traditional Sanskrit names) and we do not include chanting. Some families do choose to integrate their religious or spiritual background into their home yoga practice. We highlight the universal benefits found in the yoga asanas, ensuring they are accessible for all.

Brain Boost Yoga℠

Brain Boost Yoga℠ is a 30-minute, small group, yoga class that meets before the school day begins. It is aimed at preparing students for the academic demands of the school day through the use of breath work, acupressure, yoga postures, cross crawl exercises, goal setting, and mental rehearsal. Brain Boost Yoga℠ has been designed for students in 3rd through 5th grade. We meet in the Boreum Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the school year.

Private Yoga for Youth and Teens

Private Yoga is a yoga session customized to your child's specific needs. Unlike our Mindfulness-Based Tutoring, the entire session is holistically focused on individual goals for mental, emotional, and physical health through the specific modality of yoga. Initial sessions are focused on information gathering and intention setting, allowing us to build rapport and establish a direction for growth. As sessions progress, students develop a body of knowledge that can be applied to daily life.

Sessions are typically scheduled weekly and include practices to enhance body awareness, mindfulness, breath, mental focus, and self-regulation. Sessions are always customized to meet each student’s unique disposition and needs. Therapeutic Yoga is offered in 45- or 60-minute sessions for both youth and teens.

Anxiety and Stress Reduction

Instruction combines yoga postures, relaxation techniques, meditation, breath work, and aromatherapy to manage anxiety and reduce stress.

Learning and Attention Support

Instruction combines yoga postures, cross crawl exercises, meditation, breath work, mental rehearsal, and aromatherapy to improve learning and attention.

6 Benefits of Yoga for Children with Autism – Autism Parenting Magazine; www.autismparentingmagazine.com; Shawnee Thornton Hardy, author

7 Ways Kids Benefit from Yoga – MBG; www.mindbodygreen.com; Karen Fabien, author

Bending Energy: ADHD Kids Benefit from Yoga – Everyday Health; www.everydayhealth.com; Dennis Thompson, Jr., author

Kids Yoga May Help Relieve ADHD – HuffPost; www.huffingtonpost.com; Elaine Gavalas, author

Say Yes to Yoga for Kids with ADHD – ADDitude; www.additudemag.com; Stacey Turis, author

Yoga for Anxiety and Depression – Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School; www.health.harvard.edu

Yoga for Kids: How to Calm Little Minds – Today's Parent; www.todaysparent.com; Lisa Evans, author

Yoga for Kids with Disabilities – PBS Parents; www.pbs.org

Yoga for Special Needs Children – Gaia; www.gaia.com; Marcela De Vivo, author

Yoga for Youth