Kid's Culture

Yoga — a great introduction to fitness

By Haley Reen

The New Year is here and many people look towards physical wellness, so why should kids be any different? Becoming stronger and more coordinated is good for all body types and all ages, and yoga is a great introduction to fitness. Its nice when studios have spaces for kids so that families can go together, and kids can take a class with or without a parent. Do studios like that exists? Some do, so lets find them!

Yoga Alameda-  Alameda
 Here is a place for kids two and up to stretch with parents while listening to stories and doing fun activities. Great for little ones, and admission includes three family members, with additional members costing $5.
Yoga Alameda, 1502 Park St., Alameda. 510-263-8700, www.yogaalameda.com

Yogalayam- Berkeley
Yogalayam knows how hard it is for parents to get a workout while kids are small, so they offer toddler playspace and childcare during classes but also do not object to children joining parents to stretch if the kids need to be nearby. There is a 15 minute snack break mid class to check in and get refreshed before finishing up. This class serves parents of children crawling to 3 years old. There is also postnatal workout which allows infants to be present.
Yogalayam, 1723 Alcatraz Ave., Berkeley. 510-655-3644, www.yogalayam.org

Loka Yoga- Oakland
Friday nights from 4-5pm, kids age 4-8 can do yoga with their caregivers and under age 4 siblings for $15. Loka Yoga offers this class with games, song, and play.
Loka Yoga, 2701 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 510-207-2594, Loka Yoga can be found online via Facebook.

It’s Yoga Kids- San Francisco
This studio offers classes both with and without parents. Parents can do a class with their infants or toddlers, and bigger kids can do a fun class on their own. This is a good place for a wide range of ages.
It’s Yoga Kids, 569 Ruger St., San Francisco. 415-750-9990, www.itsyogakids.com

Pomegranate Family Yoga Series- San Anselmo
This is a great place for infant and parent classes, family yoga, or a place for parents to do yoga while utilizing onsite childcare.
Pomegranate Family Yoga Series, 25 Tamalpais Ave.San Anselmo.415-785-3173, www.pomcenter.com

Mom & Baby and Mom & Toddler Yoga- Palo Alto
Blossom Birth offers yoga classes for parents with babies and toddlers. Restore core strength, relax with calming music and allow the kids to do as they will – all part of a class at Blossom. You can even bring multiple children of various ages to the Mom & Toddler class.
Blossom Birth, 299 S. California Ave.Palo Alto.  blossombirth.org

Bloom Retreat- Walnut Creek
Bloom retreat offers classes for kids and tweens, ages 4-12. While kids are in their class, parents can take their own class!
Bloom Retreat, 1444 S. Main St., Walnut Creek. 925-939-6262, www.bloomretreat.com

SensationAll Kids Gym- Concord
This gym does not offer parent and child classes but offers a super fun yoga class for toddlers walking to age three. They incorporate tutus and capes and songs and silly fun, and one hopes the class is followed by a great nap after all that fun.
SensationAll Kids Gym, 1770 Willow Pass Rd., Concord. 925-798-1888, www.sensationallkidsgym.com

Haley Reen is an East Bay-based freelance writer.