Each successful step forward has been founded on a positive childhood experience. As a twig is bent, the tree is shaped. It is a very great thing to practice yoga at a young age and continue throughout later life. As the body, mind and emotions are growing and developing, they need to be kept strong, healthy, supple and one pointed. Early experiences can lead to lifelong, healthy passions. You may remember your own first impressions.

Starting yoga when young gives children a wonderful foundation in life. Children exude a natural flexibility and ability to place their bodies into different postures without effort or force. They love to extend their limbs and twist their torsos, so what a perfect way to do so with the practise of yoga. Children are naturally adventurous and enjoy pretending they are a cat, a dog or a tree in the postures. Not only is yoga a wonderful way to keep a child’s body subtle but it helps to steady and focus their minds. Trying to balance in a tree pose or an eagle pose means they have to concentrate to be still and steady. The deep breathing opens their lungs and helps respiration as the chest expands. Yoga relaxation calms their beings and helps them to find a peaceful place within. Bring all little folk along for a stretch and relax.

Yoga is a panacea for children and something they will love to practise for years to come. Our children live in a rushed world of busy parents, school, pressures, video games and competitive sports. We usually don’t think these influences are stressful on our kids but often they are. This hectic pace can have an unfortunate affect on a child’s happiness and natural spontaneity. Yoga can help counter these pressures. When children learn techniques for self-health, relaxation, good posture and basic stretching, they can navigate life’s challenges a little more easily.

Children’s ShantiYoga™ opens up a world of peace, creativity, joy and discipline for children from all walks of life. This knowledge is a wonderful treasure for children everywhere, because throughout life they will get the best out of everything they do and enjoy glowing health. Yoga is a system of many different things to practice and ways to think and feel, which make the body and mind strong and healthy and help children to be happy, peaceful and full of good energy. Asanas (yoga postures and exercises), Pranayama (yogic breathing), Meditation (antar mauna) and Relaxation (nidra) underpin childrens’ Shanti yoga.

Shantiji has written some insightful, practical yogic material, helpful to children and their parents to start you on your way. These include:
• Meditation for Children on 2 Cds
• The Childrens’ Book of Shanti Yoga™
• As a twig is shaped. Yoga Education in Consciousness. Support material for Teachers
• Peaceful Warrior. Workbook cultivating victory over war within our hearts and minds.
• Your future is in your hands. How to create a life, motivate yourself and manage your time, your life and your self.
• Concentration. How to organise and focus yourself in study and work.
• Intimacy, Love and Transformation. Using spiritual principles to guide your relationships and parenting.

Course recommendations
Course duration: One year.
1. On the mat for your own practice at Shanti Yoga. Self funded
2. Week-end tutorial: August 27-29 2010
August 27, Friday 7-9pm. August 28, 29 Saturday & Sunday 10.30am-5.30pm.
3. Practicum: Kidz yoga once a week, Mondays 4.00-4.45pm (optional)
during Queensland school terms, for one year.
Note: this training will be held at Shanti Yoga, 47 High Street, Southport
4. External placement and kindy-yoga internship may also apply.

Completion: one year after commencement
Venue Shanti Yoga Meditation Institute, 47 High Street, Southport
Fees Full payment in advance $2500