Calm4Kids – Guiding Children To Find A Calm And Happy Place In Their Busy Worlds
Formally known as YogaBugs Australia, Calm4Kids classes bring stories to life. Through a combination of storytelling, moves inspired by yoga and gentle cardio, we create a magical class where children extend their physical and emotional health whilst having fun. Children go on wild adventures where they may roar like a lion, fly like a bird or blast into outer space!
Delivered under a franchise model, Calm4Kids is aiming to be the largest children’s yoga inspired activity in Australia, offering classes for children from toddlers to eight years, with our programs taking the adventure through to pre-teen in the future.
Join Echo the Gecko for some Yoga Inspired Fun!
Today’s children (and parents) live in a fast paced, highly scheduled world. They are surrounded by technology and are often encouraged to be high achievers from a very early age. The time for active free play is often substituted for screen based learning. Consequently young children can be less familiar with using their bodies in a flexible, strong way, which can ultimately affect physical health and seated/standing posture. Also linked to a busy lifestyle is the potential impact on mental health. Children are never too young to learn the behaviors associated with resilient mental health.
During a C4K program, children begin to stretch their physical ability with yoga inspired moves, improving balance, flexibility and coordination. The story telling focus, where all the characters and features of the story are yoga shapes, means children are actively moving from shape to shape, without realising just how much they are working their bodies!
Throughout the program, children are also taught breathing techniques. The need to focus on their own breathing enables children to learn to focus inwardly and begin to ignore the distractions of the world around them. This technique builds concentration, oxygenates the blood and activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the off switch to our fight & flight response). Associate Professor Dr Craig Hassed Science of Mindfulness, explains on YouTube that it is this that creates the calming effect and is a skill that is invaluable throughout life.
Each session finishes with eye pillows, relaxation and visualisation, where the key message is ” a little bit of quiet time everyday, is like medicine for our brains!”
C4K is well suited to children with languages other then English as they can follow the physical demonstration of each shape, and not be limited by unfamiliar words.
Equally their are many children with additional needs, who find the C4K program is a useful adjunct to their pre-existing therapy program.
Importantly C4K is non-competitive (a plus for many young children) and above all, FUN!
Some of the key benefits of a C4K program are:
Emotional Benefits:
- Improves self-confidence
- Develops skills to manage emotions
- Releases day to day anxieties
- Improves concentration
- Improves memory retention
- Develops creativity
- Promotes healthy sleep patterns
Physical Benefits:
- Strengthens muscles
- Improves flexibility
- Extends fitness
- Maintains joint mobility
- Develops good posture
- Balances energy levels
- Supports the immune system
We pride ourselves on our excellent team of teachers operating across Australia. All of our teachers go through rigorous training and are assessed before becoming Calm4Kids teachers. All are fully insured and hold a current Working With Children’s Check. Each is committed to ensuring your children and young people develop the skills to enjoy a healthy and happy life.