When I started back into a regular yoga practice Donovan always asked, “Mommy, when can I go to ooga too?” And for the longest time, “When you are older” was the answer.
Last week I tried out a new yoga studio in town, it is most defiantly not the same work out at my other practice was, but it is a nice change of pace, and a good way to get back to the “yoga basics”. I still very much want to get back into a “work-out” style yoga, but just needed a little break from my previous practice. When I was signing up for a Hatha Yoga class, and lamenting that the power yoga, and Ashtanga/Vinyasa Yoga classes (my true yoga love) were at times there was just no way I could make, my eye caught the “Family Yoga” session. Ages 5-8 with parents. Hmmm, I asked about my son, who “will be five in July!” and she said, “of course, come out next week and give it a try.”
I was SO excited to be able to bring Donovan to yoga with me. He was the perfect like Yogi!! The cute of him in his shiny Adidas pants, with bare feet, and Beatles shirt (of course), stretched out on that yoga matt was almost unbearable. And he was good! The teacher had everyone’s matt’s arranged in a circle so we could all see each other, and started the class with a “kid friendly modified” Sun Salutation. Donovan’s downward dog, was perhaps the best thing I’ve seen in a while! He listened and tried really hard for the whole class, only getting frustrated one time when he couldn’t do a pose.
The class was so open and inviting, I was able to help him the odd time if he didn’t understand where exactly his hands were to go. The teacher even stopped to complemented him on his Tree pose, asking if he’s ever done yoga before? “Nope, this is my first time!” he said, and she beamed at him about what a great job he was doing. I of course stood beside him in my tree pose grinning from ear to ear, because not only was he doing so well, tree is one of my favourite poses of all time.
The class was 45mins with a short Shavasana at the end. I was curious how he would do in this pose, since it is just laying flat on your back with your eyes closed breathing. I peeked over and saw him laying perfectly still peaking back at me. I quickly closed my eyes, waited a few mins and peaked again, sure enough my little yogi was laying there perfect still eyes closed, not making a sound.
As we drove home I asked him what he liked best, “Um, I think the Shark pose!” he said. I was so happy that not only is he able to do something with me that I love, but that the class was made kid friendly enough that he loved it too. “But Mommy,” he added, “I didn’t really like the Lion pose, it’s too tricky to stick out my tongue and roar at the same time.” Frankly, I couldn’t argue with him on that point.
We ended the day showing Daddy some of our favourite poses from class in his room before bed, and it truly did turn into “family yoga” at that point. It turns out that yoga with a four year old, is pretty much the best kind of yoga there is!
*****
I’ve entered a photo in a contest through Snap My Life, and the winner gets a trip to New York City!! If you would be so kind to click this link, and then under my photo click the facebook “LIKE” button, that would be swell. The photo with the most likes wins!! Thank you!! 
