Yoga 'elephant' in the room

Tiny yoga students stretch like cats and shake like dogs in Carolina Freund's Kids Yoga Garden classes.

"Kids are so amazing when they are given an opportunity to express themselves through the poses," Freund said. "The results can really be extraordinary. The kids are so open and receptive, they end up teaching me so much."

Freund holds classes at Three Jewels, 314 E. Sixth St., and Tucson Yoga, 150 S. Fourth Ave. There are classes for ages 2-5 and 6-12.

Yoga, which originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, is a system of exercises for the body, mind and spirit.

Parents are discovering that yoga is a fun activity to do with their kids. It also helps children's flexibility, coordination and concentration.

Freund uses rhythms, music and reads books to keep the children interested.

Randi Dorman said yoga was a perfect fit when she was looking for an activity she could do with her 2-year-old daughter, Skye Paulus.

"I have found yoga physically and mentally expanding. I hope that Skye can get those things from it, too," the Tucson mom said.

Dorman brought her daughter to the class after Skye started watching her practice yoga at home.

"We did the yoga poses at home, and she really liked them," Dorman said. "She also loves to be around other kids, so the class is great for us. The class is gentle and interesting. It takes the yoga poses and does them in a fun and childlike way."

Freund explained what to look for in a kids' yoga class.

"Parents should look for comprehensive yoga classes, not ones that just focus on correct postures," she said. "Some parents are afraid that yoga will conflict with their religion. But the practice is really about brain balance and values. It can be spiritual, but it certainly doesn't have to be."

Yoga is unlike other children's activities, Freund said. "The one thing that differentiates yoga is that it is not competitive. It is cooperation-based. It is a safe environment with space for kids to be themselves."

Childhood emotion can be tempered using yoga principles.

"It can be really apparent in the children that they are using things they learned in yoga," Freund said. "They learn how emotions affect their bodies and what they can do to deal with those emotions. It directs energy and emotions to the right place.

"My son has learned to direct his angry feelings to the volcano pose," she said of Andres, 3.

Dorman said yoga is making an impact on Skye.

"When she cries, I tell her to take deep breaths like in yoga. She will stop herself and do the breathing. It helps her calm herself down. She learns how to self-soothe."