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Monday, June 22, 2009

Yoga for Kids

My two year old son has a bit of a reputation for being hyper. He has an endless supply of energy and it's extremely difficult getting him to calm down. Basically, he runs around all day like a mischievous little puppy until he literally "crashes" and we're able to move him to his bed. There is only one movie that he will sit still for (Kung Fu Panda), but after he's watched it once he won't watch it again. Therefore, I've been trying to find another video that will calm the madness around here, at least for a little while.

I believe I've found that video with YogaBuddies. YogaBuddies is based in California, and has provided yoga instruction to numerous children. They have released a new Bedtime Stories DVD, which combines the tradition of storytelling with the calming practice of yoga. I decided to try this out on my son one afternoon, as he busied himself with "painting" the table creatively with water from his sippy cup. I reasoned that his creativity could be put to better use by practicing yoga.

Bedtime Stories includes three stories read by founder Danay DiVirgilio. Each story features one or two children (the Yoga Buddies) demonstrating the yoga poses. I liked how the poses fit in seamlessly with the story lines. The poses are clearly described, and include animals such as cat, giraffe, and lion, as well as other poses like tree, baby, and around the world. There are 42 poses in all. The DVD is recommended for ages four and up, so I questioned whether my two year old would really benefit from it. It turns out I had nothing to worry about. This video is actually perfect for my son. It showcases older children than him, which he seems to prefer, allows him to move and he gets read to. He even mastered some of the poses. Here's a picture of him performing down dog pose:

YogaBuddies was a hit with my son, but it's also a hit with me because I like the benefits that go along with it. It helps my son relax and be calm, prepares him for a restful sleep and increases his strength and flexibility. In addition, I can see this lasting a long time. As he gets older and gains more understanding and awareness of what he's watching, it will take on a whole new meaning for him and it will be something new for him to enjoy. You can check out YogaBuddies for yourself and view a preview of the DVD here.

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive a copy of YogaBuddies Bedtime Stories. To enter, leave a comment on this post prior to Monday, June 29th at Midnight. Go to the YogaBuddies website and tell me something interesting that you learned. Please include your email address with your comment. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

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36 comments:

  1. I learned that Kelly Ripa has talked about it a couple times on Live with Regis and Kelly! :-)

    khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  2. I learned that a few elementary schools are using it to provide alternative exercise for kids.
    lkziegler[at]gmail[dot]com

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  3. What a fun way to get our children to exercise --- which many do not get enough of these days.

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  4. I learned about the Emo cards and how they help the students get in touch with their feelings. Which is so much better than looking like Pete Wentz.

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  5. I learned that it helps kids get a good nights sleep.

    brandon_ralston@hotmail.com

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  6. I learned the DVD includes 3 bedtime stories.

    tamara_ann@hotmail.com

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  7. I learned that it helps kids get a good nights sleep.

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  8. wow, great contest

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  9. I learned they have a pose of the month.

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  10. I learned that YogaBuddies was created by combining Danay's valuable experience with her care for children and her passion for yoga.
    pkildow at gmail dot com

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  11. The DVD running time is 40 minutes.

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  12. The DVD has 3 bedtime stories on it.

    colleenyamamoto(at)yahoo.com

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  13. I learned that Kelly Ripa has talked about it on Regis and Kelly!

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  14. There is a pose of the month.

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

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  15. I learned that Bedtime Stories includes three stories read by founder Danay DiVirgilio. Each story features one or two children (the Yoga Buddies) demonstrating the yoga poses.

    I love yoga. Wouldn't it be fun to make it a family practice?

    bgcchs@yahoo.com

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  16. I learned that The founder Danay has dedicated her life to making a difference for children and teens. She has experience working as a behavioral therapist for children with Autism, teaching teenagers a relationship-based approach to business and Masters degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica.

    ilovebabynoah707@yahoo.com

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  17. I learned that there a number of Distinguished YogaBuddies® Schools throughout California. That's cool.

    kneecree at gmail dot com

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  18. I learned that they give private lessons

    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

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  19. I had learned that it helps kids get a good nights sleep.
    erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

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  20. I learned that the founder Danay has dedicated her life to making a difference for children and teens. She has experience working as a behavioral therapist for children with Autism.

    jesskaufman at hotmail dot com

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  21. I learned that there are Yoga Buddie Schools in California and now one in Co. and Id.


    Thanks for the giveaway! The video sounds great.

    fcscheermom@aol.com

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  22. I learned that YogaBuddies is dedicated to making a difference for kids health and well being through the practice of yoga. Thanks!
    lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  24. I learned that you can find a pose of the month on their website.

    our5bunch@aol.com

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  25. From their site I learned that their mission is to inspire each student physically, mentally, emotionally and socially through the practice of yoga.


    fly18grl21(at)aol(dot)com

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  26. I learned that they have some press articles from a Review by Time out Chicago and Yoga Buddies was also mentioned on Live with Regis and Kelly.

    ladylourdes1(at)aol.com

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  27. Danay is a 3-year breast cancer survivor and that is remarkable

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  28. I learned that this is used by elementery schools as an alternative for helping our children exercise. Thanks for this education.
    Barbara Rawe
    tykelly1@yahoo.com

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  29. YogaBuddies was created by combining Danay's valuable experience with her care for children and her passion for yoga. Because she lives the life she teaches, the YogaBuddies program continues to be a learning and growing experience for Danay as well as for the entire YogaBuddies team.

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  30. I learned that a few elementary schools are using it to provide alternative exercise for kids.
    :)

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  31. I learned that the DVD running time is 40 minutes.

    lilyk@mail2world.com

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  32. Yoga is very good for health. Sometimes children don't find it interesting. So for them one can teach yoga with some interesting animal poses like owl pose, bird pose, butterfly pose, cricket pose etc. By such poses, they will learn yoga and also they will find it different and interesting.

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