Yoga, meditation and exercise in general are all great ways to clear your mind and stay healthy–especially during this time of stress and uncertainty.

While there are lots of free online yoga resources (for kids, I HIGHly recommend Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube), there are also small, community-based yoga studios which have been hit hard by the closures of COVID-19. One that is near and dear to my heart is Sweetwater Dance and Yoga over on Gerard Ave, near Yankee Stadium.

This yoga studio is amazing. So welcoming and warm (and not just for the hot yoga, yuk yuk), this place makes you feel like you’re part of a family. In years past, I’ve been to quite a few of their yoga classes, but also Salsa, Belly Dance–you name it!

They have adapted amazingly quickly to this new e-world we are living in and now offer online classes on a sliding scale bases ($5-$20). If you’re able, I highly recommend supporting them by trying out a class or two..or three, etc.!

There current roster of online classes aren’t geared toward kids specifically, although I think many kids, especially older ones could really enjoy even these adult classes. To spark their interest even further, you can read these e-books available from NYPL:

 

 

Peaceful Piggy Yoga by Kerry Lee MacLean

• Even the piggies are needing some peace of mind! Join them as they try out different poses.

I Am Strong by Suzy Capozzi, illustrated by Eren Unten

• In a scary time, it is important to remember that we are resilient and capable. This book will help young ones do exactly that.

Mindful Day by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez

• It is never too early to start cultivating your mindfulness muscle. Help children slow down and check in with their minds and bodies.

Your Respiratory System by Judith Jango-Cohen

• Sometimes understanding the science behind something helps us to feel less scared and confused by it. With so much talk of the respiratory system in news coverage of COVID-19, this nonfiction book could help kids begin to understand this part of how their bodies work.

Your Muscular System by Rebecca L. Johnson

• If your young scientist enjoyed learning about the respiratory system, chances are they’ll be fascinated by their muscles as well. They will be amazed at all their body is capable of!