Calming Camps

If planning your kids’ summer staycation is stressing you out, just breathe. There’€™s a yoga class for you’€”and the kids. A place where you can reap the double benefit of getting in bathing suit shape while you zen out.
While our kids might not share our care about their poolside silhouette, they do experience the same perks from a little mat time, including increased strength and flexibility, as well as sharper mental focus that will contribute to school-year success next fall.

Best of all, studies show that little yogis are actually happier.

Yoga Playground is a Calgary-based company with a mission to expose as many children as possible to the physical, mental and emotional benefits of yoga. During the school year, certified teachers share their specialized training at schools, preschools and studios.

This summer Yoga Playground is introducing full-day yoga camps ($249) for 6 to 12 year-olds and half-day camps ($179) for the 3 to 6 year-old crowd. Before and after camp care is also available.

Camps are located within blocks of Marda Loop in the central SW neighbourhood of Altadore (plan to snag a coffee at Phil and Sebastian’€™s after drop-off) and include a wide variety of games, such as toga (yoga with your toes), circus clown acts with props like straws, feathers and ping pong balls, guided meditation and relaxation’€”and of course, yoga poses presented in fun kid-friendly ways (think imaginary journeys and animal acts).

Camps are run by owner and SavvyMom of three, Heather Johnson, and Yoga on the Move owner, Maureen McGarry. They are taught by trained preschool teachers and occupational therapists with kids training from Yoga Ed. and Rainbow Kids.

Yoga camps also include lots of outdoor time on the playground and field adjacent to the camp location.

Cross stress-inducing summer organization off your to-do list with a trip to your own mat and a week of yoga for your kids this summer. Om. Tested by Robyn B., Calgary