Goddard School Encourages Bending, Balance; Opens Yoga Studio

Kim Satalino, a teacher at , stood in front of a group of 3- and 4-year-old students Tuesday morning, prepping them for yoga class.

The prekindergarten class is full of energy, and Satalino has no small task in keeping their attention as she leads them through the cat pose and the star pose and the turtle pose in ’s newest addition: a yoga studio.

The yoga studio opened on Jan. 19 and provides a specific space for Goddard teachers to lead the 12- or 25-minutes classes offered daily to its students, said Michele Clark, owner of , 4561 Princeton Ave.

"We have always had yoga as part of the curriculum. But before, it was implemented in our classrooms," Clark said. "We had some extra space so we thought, why not create a specific space for yoga."

Yoga is taught to all ages at Goddard — from infant to its oldest students who are 6 years old. For infants, that means teachers gently moving the child’s arms and legs into the poses while saying the name of the pose, Clark said.

"They love that physical touch and that movement of their bodies," Clark said.

The yoga studio has been popular with Goddard’s students. Clark said children excitedly line up when it’s time to head to the studio.

"The yoga studio gets the kids in the yoga mood and spirit," Clark said. "They are proud of the exercise they do."

Why Yoga?

There are many benefits for children who practice yoga, Clark said. The most obvious benefit is the physical as well as the mental exercise yoga provides for a child. Also, it teaches children self-coping skills, Clark said.

"We all know 2- and 3-year-olds have temper tantrums. It helps them calm down and their minds are taken off whatever is bothering them," she said.

The balance required in yoga forces "both sides of the brain to coordinate with each other," Clark said.

"Yoga stimulates brain activity," she said.

While some day cares have multipurpose rooms or gymnasiums where children can run around and exercise, Clark said Goddard's yoga studio sets its business apart.

"We are really proud of our studio and it's something unique to the community," Clark said.