More than 15 percent of Americans ages 6 to 19 are overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Author Lizzy Rockwell writes, “The number of seriously overweight children in the United States has tripled in the past 20 years.” that could help reverse the trend:
Wai Lana’s Little Yogis: Fun and Healthy Yoga, ages 3 to 8
Wai Lana has had success with yoga video instruction for adults, but now she turns her attention to youngsters. Shot at O’ahu’s Ko Olina Resort, the exercises start with lying on your back, relaxing, and focusing on your breathing. Children are asked to imagine their belly to be a balloon, filling up and releasing air.
After the warmup comes the Butterfly. Feet together, bouncing your knees, imagine you are a butterfly, fluttering from flower to flower. The Tree requires balancing on one leg—not easy for some, as evidenced in our own living room and among the children in the video. Wai Lana recommends leaning against a wall for support. Meantime, she shares a thought to consider: “Think of how tolerant a tree must be. Birds nest in it, animals scratch against its bark, children sometimes play in tree houses built between their branches. We should strive to be as tolerant as a tree.”
Animated characters and brief cheerful songs kick off each of the exercises, about 10 in all. By the end of the 30-minute program, children and adults will feel peaceful and relaxed. A wonderful option for settling the mind and body before bedtime.
— Honolulu Advertiser, April 4, 2004
