Kids relax with yoga on Long Island

Published: March 31, 2009 4:24 AM
By BETH WHITEHOUSE beth.whitehouse@newsday.com

Quick Summary

Sure, our kids are already overscheduled. But how about scheduling something that helps them relax? Yoga studios across Long Island offer weekly classes for children and families. Just smile and say, "Om."

Photo credit: Newsday Photo / Joel Cairo | Alexis, Jonathan, and mother Robyn Corbin during a family yoga class held Absolute Yoga.

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March 31, 2009 - Sure, our kids are already overscheduled. But how about scheduling something that helps them relax? Yoga studios across Long Island offer weekly classes for children and families. Just smile and say, "Om."

NORTHPORT YOGA CENTER: 245A Main St., Northport, 516-996-3399, northportyoga.com

Who can participate: Children ages 3 to 4, 5 to 9, or 10 to 13. The classes for younger children incorporate playful games as they teach poses such as Downward Dog and Turtle, says owner Guzin Potente. They address yoga-related themes as well, such as love or being grateful, she says. A "Mommy and Me" class meets weekly as well, for caregivers with children up to age 2. A family class meets the first Sunday of every month.

Cost: All classes are eight weeks and cost $120.

YOGA ROCKS!: 127 South St., Oyster Bay, 516-624-YOGA, yogarockskids.com

Who can participate: Ages 3 to teen, divided into groups ages 3 to 4, 5 to 8, 9 to 12 and teens. The winter/spring session lasts through May. At the end, there's a recital-like "showcase." "You can demonstrate yoga poses that you've learned," says owner Jeannine Smolinsky. For families, there are six-week sessions, including Toddler Rocks for parents with 18- to 36-month-olds; Baby Rocks for babies 6 weeks to active crawling; and family yoga for families with kids ages 3 to 12. They specialize in mainstreaming children with autism, ADHD or anxiety into children's sessions.

Cost: First trial class is free; after that, the children's classes are about $17.50 a class for any remaining classes in the session. Family series costs $135.

ABSOLUTE YOGA: 1 Guilles Lane, Woodbury, 516-682-YOGA, absoluteyogastudio.com

Who can participate: Children ages 5 and up are put into groups of ages 5 to 8, 9 to 12 and teen. A "YogiBaby" class is for mothers with their infants through crawling age. A weekend family class allows parents or grandparents to practice with their children ages 5 and up. "We try to throw in a little bit of education with it," says Leslie Luft, owner. "When they're learning tree pose we might talk about trees and roots and trunks."

Cost: $136 for all sessions except family; six-week family session is $150 for two family members and $30 each additional family member.

BODY REFORMERS: 131 Main St., Suite 3, East Rockaway, 516-763-2066, bodyreformerspilates.com

Reader pick: "It is the best kids class," writes Alison Hagen, 10, in an e-mail

Who can participate: Tweens ages 10 to 12 meet weekly for a one-hour class. Pregnant women can take a prenatal yoga class. "It relieves back pain during pregnancy," says co-owner Dale Eisert. New mothers can take a "Mom and Baby" class until their babies start to crawl.

Ongoing registration.

Cost: Tweens can pay for a single class for $20 or a 10-class pass for $150. Pregnant women pay $105 for an eight-week session or $15 a class. Mom and Baby costs $115 for an eight-week session or $20 a class.