Promoting healthy lifestyles

Times Reporter

 

Promoting healthy living now that will follow our children into the future is just one reason why Strathmore resident Kelly MacDonald offers children’s yoga classes. 

“I teach adult yoga classes and it was just something that intrigued me. I just know how busy kids are right now, with all of their sports and everything,” said MacDonald. 

“I thought this would be, as much as it is somewhat fitness related, it’s more about flexibility and slowing down, and just taking time for themselves, they don’t get that time anymore and it was more about that.”

It all began about two years ago when MacDonald took her certification through an international company called ‘Rainbow Kids Yoga.’ 

“I went to Seattle and took the training, the gentleman’s name is Gopala and he travels worldwide to teach, to instruct instructors. The closest place at that time for me was Seattle,” said MacDonald.

Some of the children who participate in her classes may come with friends, and some may not know anyone. She said it is also like having a peer support group. Since she began offering the program, MacDonald says she has had a good turnout. Some of the kids return for new classes, and there are a few kids who started in the three to five age group who have moved up into the next age group.

MacDonald runs the program out of her home, and teaches children ages three to 14.  The younger kids have a 30 minute class, while the older groups take part in a one hour class. 

 “We get a little more advanced, but we also do lots of stuff through games. I’ll teach a little bit of a class and then the ones who have been coming for awhile I’ll say, ‘alright, your turn you guys. Get together as a group and this is what I want you to do’,” said MacDonald.

What she calls a pose for an adult class is not necessarily what she would call it in a kids class, and MacDonald said everything is the same but different.

MacDonald said there are lots of boys taking her classes, which she finds interesting, some of which are hockey players.  Yoga provides the kids with knowledge about how their body works, and how they can fix it if they have any discomfort.

Classes have already begun, but anyone looking for information can contact Kelly MacDonald at 403-629-7465 or via email at f3fitness08@gmail.com.