Discover the book "Yoga for Children", interview with Claudia from Yoga Passion

Today, I have the pleasure of presenting you the interview with Claudia, yoga teacher and creator of the blog Yoga Passion , who has just published her book "Yoga for children".

Patricia: How did you come up with the idea/desire to write a book about yoga and children?

Claudia: The very first Yoga classes I gave after obtaining my Yoga teacher diploma were classes for children! In fact, I taught in nursery schools and leisure centers for 2 years, with children aged on average 4 to 7 years old.

This transmission of Yoga to children has always been close to my heart. I find that Yoga is a wonderful gift that we can give them to give them simple and concrete tools to guide them towards daily well-being.

Hachette contacted me in June 2017 to propose that I write a book on Yoga for children. Personally, this period was full of changes for me because I had just met my new lover, already the father of a little girl of 4 years, of whom he has custody full-time. So I experienced something very new, for me, by moving in with them both. And I must say that it is a great and beautiful transformation to suddenly live with a child at home :-)

I took care to read a lot of books on parenting, on positive education and on blended families, in order to take on, as best I could, my new role and be up to the challenge...

If you are interested in these topics, I invite you to read my article: “Gentle parenting in 8 keys”

So it was with joy that I accepted the project of writing the book and threw myself intensely into the preparation of the book's outline, then into the writing. In all, I worked for 6 intensive months on the book.

Patricia: I imagine that you practice yoga as a family, can you tell us more?

Claudia: I practice Yoga on my mat almost every day, usually in several sessions :-)

Often, in the morning, I start the day with a few sun salutations. Then, I usually plan a longer session before lunch. I also often practice a few postures, especially stretching, when I get home from my classes. This allows me to create a pleasant transition between my work day and my romantic evening. Indeed, when I get home, Margot, my boyfriend's daughter, is already in bed...

At the moment, Margot and my partner see me practicing and observe… Sometimes, Margot gets on the mat with me and she imitates me. Sometimes, she even gets on top of me when I'm in downward dog or child's pose hahaha!! I also try to introduce her to meditation and the importance of breathing. Sometimes, I see that she tries it.

I also have my goddaughter Aelys and her sister Katel who have been practicing Yoga for some time :-)

I sincerely believe that it only takes one person practicing Yoga in a family for it to have very positive effects on all the members of the family .

Indeed, the practice of just one person can already change the atmosphere, the overall ambiance of the home, and bring calm, gentleness and kindness.

As children learn a lot by imitation , when they see one of their parents or step-parents or even both practicing, then I think it inspires them and it plants seeds. So, when they want, they can set up an independent practice and take care of themselves.

Patricia: What are the 3 main tips you give to mothers to practice these 7 minutes of daily yoga?

Claudia:

• Always offer the practice as a moment of pleasure, as a game. Never impose, never force
• Choose a place in the house and dedicate it to the practice. If possible: always practice at the same time of day . This helps to establish a ritual.
• Observe how your children are also your best teachers, your little Zen masters , and how they make the practice inspired, creative, fluid and spontaneous.

Bonus tip: Find a medium that “speaks” to your child for practice. Some children prefer to read, and in this case, a book will be perfect. Other children are more receptive to video format.

It is also to meet the different needs of children that I created, to accompany my book, a video program of Yoga for children that you can discover

Patricia: What are the benefits for the child? And for the mother?

Claudia: I will mention 5 essential benefits for children:

1. Refocus
2. Calm down
3. Relax
4. Better understand and know your body
5. Gain self-confidence

In my blog post , I cite even more benefits of Yoga for children.

The mother benefits from the same benefits as her child.

In addition, she will be relieved by the calm and relaxation that the Yoga session can induce. And she will undoubtedly be amazed by the transformation that she will see appear, little by little, in her child, who will become a little yogi or a little yogini :-)

Patricia: And finally, I love the illustrations. How did you collaborate with the illustrator to stage the chapters of your book?

Claudia: Thank you Patricia, I also think the illustrations are superb. They were made by the talented illustrator Marysia Machulska . I chose photos or made drawings myself for each Yoga posture. Marysia then drew and colored each of the techniques presented.

We are delighted to have staged a little boy and a little girl, to allow children to identify with the little characters. And also to have found a playmate for children, in the form of the little yogi cat! The cat represents, in our opinion, the very archetype of the yogi, both fast and precise, like a cat chasing a piece of string, and at the same time very Zen, very fluid, who takes the time to live, by allowing himself beautiful naps and regular stretches…

I wish a wonderful discovery of my book to those who do not yet know it.

Thank you Patricia for this interview, which I responded to with great pleasure.

If you want to buy his book, I invite you to go to his blog by clicking here !