FMI - For Mama's Information

Toddler Yoga with Ann-Kathrin

(No, this is not one of the postures you will be asked to try at this class. Here is one way, though, to show the world the warrior that you are when you are a mama.)

One of the fun things about this job is trying out all the great services, products and ideas for moms or their wee ones that are available in our city. The latest fun thing Natasha and I were lucky to try was Toddler Yoga.

Led by Ann-Catherin with the help of her son Joao, this class was not about putting our children into postures and telling them about their bodies, like I thought it would be. Instead it was a group of moms doing yoga, often modified postures, while singing songs about the movements we were doing. Coming from a yoga background, I knew what the postures were that we were doing or trying to do, and the songs that went along with them were fun, catchy (I'm still singing the Bicycle Man song) and appropriate for our audience. Ring Around the Yogi and our good bye song, Surya Namaste, introduced the language of yoga to our 2-year-olds, and using already familiar tunes and songs kept it comfortable for mom and baby alike. Natasha was singing Surya Namaste for days after our one class!

After telling people about the class, I realized that the structure Ann-Catherin uses is very clever. She is teaching moms how to do the postures and sing the songs so that they can then lead their own classes at home. I don't think I saw one child do one posture at the class, but I can imagine that with repetition, just as with Natasha's music class, she would be singing the songs and doing the postures at home. She already knows about mama going to yoga all week long, so this would be a wonderful bonding experience and a fun way to start her yoga journey.

Ann-Catherin will be passing on the torch of teaching the class to a successor soon, but her spirit and fun activities will continue to be available. This one-hour class is offered Monday mornings from 10:30-11:30 at the Mothering Touch Centre, 975 Fort Street.

Yoga is much more than just a form of exercise. Within the philosophy of yoga lay the answers to most of life's questions raised by being human. By starting and sharing yoga, you can keep active, even during your crazy schedule, and share your time with your toddler. You will be teaching her how to take care of herself and how to find and follow a passion.

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