"Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind and the harmony of the soul, create the symphony of life." 
- BKS Iyengar

Yoga is not just for adults! 
These classes intend to discover how to improve motor skills and self-expression using yoga and mindfulness as a tool for children.
Each session will inspire children to move and learn with fun, creativity, and interaction sparking their imagination and developing an awareness of their bodies and how to move them.
The principles of yoga and mindfulness also offer self-calming techniques that will help them when it’s time to relax and go to sleep.

BENEFITS

DEVELOPS FOCUS AND CONCENTRATION
One of the top benefits of kids’ yoga is that the different types of moves require children to focus and work on their memorization skills, so they can better perform in school and other activities they enjoy.
​Eases anxiety, stress, and tension so that they can focus on the positive aspects of life and lead happier lives.

REFINED BALANCE AND COORDINATION
Balance is a key element of yoga. Balancing poses were created to promote mental and physical poise, as mental clarity and stability emerge from the effort of trying the poses. Even if a child has difficulty standing on one foot, they learn mental and physical balance if they can stay calm when they fall and when they get up to try again.

BOOSTS SELF-ESTEEM & PATIENCE
Yoga for kids can do wonders for their self-esteem. Perfecting a pose or improving their balance and flexibility can give young children a sense of personal empowerment. Yoga teaches them to persevere, be patient, and work toward their goals.

HELPS MANAGING EMOTIONS
The breathing exercises and relaxation techniques learned from practicing yoga can help children with managing their own emotions. Yoga can reduce challenging behaviours in the classroom by providing a physical outlet for children to express themselves. It also teaches children about discipline as they work on clearing their minds and perfecting their poses.

ENHANCES PHYSICAL FLEXIBILITY
Yoga promotes physical strength because kids learn to use all of their muscles in new ways. Increases flexibility, strength, and balance increasing their self-confidence thereby promoting a healthy body image and creating healthy habits around physical activities.

​THE SESSION
- Welcome,
- Warm-up, 
- Partner Games,
- Learning Asanas, 
- Relaxation
- Farewell

DURATION
3-5 yrs : 30-45mins
6-9yrs : 45-60mins
10-12yrs: 60mins

INFO & BOOKINGS

Holistic Development - Kotahitanga

"For Maori the spiritual dimension is fundamental to holistic development because it connects the other dimensions across time and space"  - Te Whariki, Early Childhood Curriculum

MANA ATUA
Well-being

"Te whakahua whakaaro"
​1. Their emotional wellbeing is nurtured,​taking time to discover and talk about their feelings and needs; this regularly happens at the beginning and the end of the session by sharing thoughts and emotions with the attendants.

MANA WHENUA
Belonging

"Te waihanga hononga"
1. Connecting links with the family and the wider world are affirmed and extended; this happens by making connections between people, places and things in their world using books, pictures, arts.

"Te mani whakaute"​
​2. They know the limits and boundaries of acceptable behaviour, this is encouraged by showing respect for kaupapa, rules and rights of others, and happens by involving children in trust-building activities.

MANA TANGATA
Contribution

"Te ngakau makuru"
​1.There are equitable opportunities for learning, irrespective of gender, ability, age, ethnicity and background; this idea of equality is reinforced by the use of partners-game. The children will be encouraged to treat others fairly and include them in the games.

MANA REO
Communication

"He korero a-tinana"
1. Develop non-verbal communication skills for a range of purposes. This is introduced with the use of gestures and movements. To learn and perform Asanas and Yoga sequences encourage participants to connect with their body, and express themselves in a way that many have never experienced before.

MANA AOTŪROA
Exploration

"Te whakaaro me te tuhurahura i te putaiao"
1. Their play is valued as meaningful learning and the importance of spontaneous play is recognised.This is observed while developing a storytelling activity, and reinforced by the use of Asanas. The children will have the opportunity to develop confidence in their body, as well as inventing their own stories with the use of Yoga poses, which will enhance and encourage their creativity and imagination.

ABOUT ME
Early Childhood Teacher, Yoga Teacher & Mindfulness Coach

Giulia Mattioli started working with children when she was 15yrs being a swimming teacher and dance teacher.
After gaining her bachelor degree in Education in 2013 and her 200h Yoga Teacher Training in 2019 she had realised that teaching was what she was passionate about and wanted to pursue in life.
During her time in Scotland, she worked as an Early Childhood Teacher and followed a number of trainings in Pediatric-First AID and Child Protection.
Once arrived in Aotearoa and after teaching Yoga in different centres (Kawai Purapura, Sand Castle in Pohara) she decided to combine the two qualifications together and create a way to inspire children to move and learn with fun.

Giulia: “After reconnecting with my inner child and my spirituality I become conscious that children are actually natural teachers, I have learned and keep on learning so much from them.
I strongly believe children should learn through their own experiences and we, as educators, should guide and support them without interfering with their individual learning process.
My purpose is to be a positive role model for children to support their physical, behavioral, emotional, cognitive, social and spiritual aspects.”