A Yogi Weighs in on the Importance of Kid's Yoga
It turns out that a new year’s emphasis on new, healthy habits isn’t reserved for adults. In fact, Fort Worth’s first and only children’s yoga studio, Nanda Yoga, caters primarily to children. Established by local yogi, Kate Murphy, Nanda offers yoga classes and workshops for little ones ages six weeks to twelve years. It’s a cheerful, play-oriented studio and community that introduces kiddos to the joy and balance of a yoga practice. And beyond the obvious benefits — coordination, positive playtime, body awareness, and the like — Nanda Yoga facilitates something even more powerful.
With their spring semester in swing (but still accepting new students), we chatted with Founder + Owner, Kate Murphy, about yoga for littles and exactly why it’s so important. Hint: there are lifelong benefits.
The Scout Guide Fort Worth: Kate, you’ve created something adorable, fun, and wildly impactful with Nanda Yoga. Can you speak to what inspired you to open Fort Worth’s first and only children’s yoga studio?
Kate Murphy: In our fast-paced world full of tech, messages of inadequacy, and competition, children are living in a state of overwhelm and confusion. I wanted to provide a safe space for children to slow down and understand that relaxing is not only ok but encouraged. My experience told me that yoga was the perfect way to do this!
The Scout Guide Fort Worth: We’re familiar with how yoga classes are structured for adults. What format does Nanda take with little ones?
Kate Murphy: Classes are created based on developmental needs for each age range to provide an integrated learning experience your little one loves. We teach basic and challenging yoga poses, partner poses, group poses, and yoga games.
The Scout Guide Fort Worth: What classes do you currently offer?
Kate Murphy: We offer Movers & Shakers, Toddler & Me Classes, 3-4 Year Old Classes, Yoganastics (ages 4-5), 4 – 6 Year Old Music Mindfulness & Movement, 7-9 Year Old Classes, Girl Power Yoga (ages 10-12), Family Yoga, and Storytime Yoga + Process Art. We also have Prenatal Yoga and Vinyassa Flow + Childcare classes coming soon!
The Scout Guide Fort Worth: What are the benefits of yoga for children?
Kate Murphy: It the gift that keeps on giving. Not only does yoga help children gain strength, flexibility, and balance, but it also encourages them to regulate their emotions, form coping tools, build confidence, and improve focus and concentration.
The Scout Guide Fort Worth: Can you elaborate?
Kate Murphy: Children who practice yoga learn self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making to help them thrive as they transition to adulthood. As a result, they are more likely to be positive and optimistic about life and less likely to succumb to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
The Scout Guide Fort Worth: What is your hope for your little Fort Worth yogis?
Kate Murphy: My goal is to introduce kids to the true meaning of yoga: union, expression, and honor for oneself and the community that surrounds them.
CLASS OFFERINGS
PRENATAL YOGA | This class is designed to help expectant moms deepen the experience and enjoyment of pregnancy while growing a strong connection with their baby. Find comfortable ways to replenish your energy, improve sleep and reduce stress. Increase endurance and strength in the muscles needed for delivery and help relieve pain in the low back, hips, chest, shoulders, and neck. Coming soon…
VINYASA FLOW + CHILDCARE | Finally a class for grown ups with childcare provided! Rooted in bodily autonomy and awareness, this class will gently flow from pose to pose. You can expect creative sequencing and guided meditation aimed to help you find a few moments of tranquility while your little ones play and create in Nanda’s playspace. Coming soon…
BABY & ME | This class is for both baby (6 weeks to pre-crawling) and grown-ups—filled with stretching, breathing, singing and moving playfully with your baby yogi. Yoga stimulates all bodily systems and assists in transitions to different developmental stages. We will end class with a joint relaxation which enhances non-verbal communication between you and your baby. Register…
MOVERS & SHAKERS | This class is for both baby and grown-up! Your exploring baby will love stretching, breathing, singing and moving playfully. This class is specifically created for our yogis who are crawling but pre-walking. Register…
TODDLER & ME + SENSORY PLAY YOGA | This class is a chance for grownups to explore the world of a toddler! You will meet toddlers where they are to move, sing, play, breathe and relax. This class aids in socialization, listening skills and deepens the parent-child bond through play. After play yoga, the class moves to the Flex Space for some fun and messy sensory play! All sensory play is taste safe. Register…
TODDLER YOGA & ME + MUSIC, MINDFULNESS & MOVEMENT | This is a zensational collaboration between Nanda Yoga + Music Junkies that fuses music and yoga for a fun class that will fill your littles ones heart with joy! For Strong walkers to 3 years old. Register…
3-4 YEAR OLDS | Fun, inspirational classes encourage a child’s natural thirst for knowledge. In this imaginative series, Nanda combines simple yoga poses with engaging songs, puppets and stories that exercise social, sensory and motor skills while increasing flexibility. Register…
YOGANASTICS | Your child will learn the basic elements of gymnastics guided by the yogic philosophy of listening to the wisdom of the body. They will cultivating strength, flexibility and mindfulness in the fun and new fusion class. For 4-5 year olds. Register…
4 – 6 YO MUSIC, MINDFULNESS & MOVEMENT | This is a zensational collaboration between Nanda Yoga + Music Junkies! We will fuse music and yoga together for a fun class that will fill your littles ones heart with joy! Register…
7 – 9 YEAR OLDS | Improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. Children will learn how to focus and center themselves with various breathing and visualization techniques. They will also learn self-respect and respect for others with the practice of fun and challenging poses, partner and group poses, lots of yoga games, breathing and basic anatomy. Register…
GIRL POWER YOGA | In this class Nanda focuses on how to lift each other up, be an important member in the community and love ourselves for who we really are. Classes will include: journaling, meditating, play group games and activities for supporting, sharing, and creating a better world. For 10-12 year olds. Register…
FAMILY YOGA | Yoga for families is a fun-filled way for children and parents (grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) to spend quality time together while enjoying a fun and healthy activity. Practicing yoga together helps strengthen the bonds between grown-up and child. This class is filled with partner poses, group poses, silly flowing sequences and yoga games! *This class will be offered once a month and is a drop-in opportunity. Please refer to main calendar.
STORYTIME YOGA + PROCESS ART | During Storytime Yoga your child is given the opportunity to explore and challenge their bodies, expand and connect physical movements to themes and stories, and increase their vocabulary which allows them to better express themselves both physically and emotionally. Storytime yoga is a great way to connect with your child and enjoy some mindful moments together. *This class will be offered once a month and is a drop-in opportunity. Please refer to main calendar.
You can still sign your littles up for Nanda Yoga spring semester (January 17th – May 7th) for a prorated rate. Use code “WINTER2023” for 10% off your purchase. Nanda Yoga also welcomes parties, making it the perfect place to celebrate your little yogi’s birthday.
