LITTLE YOGIS: HOW YOGA CAN HELP YOUR CHILD

Rocco Forte Hotels

Whether they’re permanently attached to their favourite device or studying hard for exams, there’s no denying that children today lead busy lives. As adults, embracing conscious living by practicing yoga is a lifestyle choice that many of us make to calm the frenetic pace of life – and it can benefit children, too. As the fastest growing fitness activity, it’s little wonder yoga has picked up a burgeoning group of young followers.

London’s TRIYOGA is one of the city’s premiere destinations for children’s yoga. With 15 years’ experience teaching youngsters, Annie Carpenter is an expert on little yogis. Today, she practices in Chelsea. “Yoga is an excellent practice for children” she explains. “It can increase their coordination, concentration, self-awareness and self-esteem, whilst boosting stamina and developing good posture. It is a wonderful tool for both body and mind.”

Yoga is also a great stress and anxiety alleviator. “By practising yoga and mindfulness in a safe environment, they can learn tools to calm down, slow down and feel better when they are sad or upset. For instance, gentle breathing exercises like blowing their sad feelings away in a balloon, or using a breathing buddy to relax them, are fantastic techniques.” 

While travelling it’s important to maintain both you and your child’s fitness routines, with a wealth of Rocco Forte Hotels recognising the importance of wellbeing for our younger and older guests. At Munich’s The Charles Hotel, the Spa has an exceptional program of special classes and treatments for children. From yoga or Pilates personal training to chill-out massages and mini makeovers, you can treat your family to a range of extraordinary wellness experiences whether they’re seasoned yogis or new to the practice.

Children are adaptable and take to yoga incredibly quickly. “Kids live in the moment”, Annie reveals. “They tend not to worry if they are doing it exactly right, or if they can't do it. They just throw themselves in and play. Yoga is non-competitive, so there are no set levels or grading that they have to achieve - just whatever their bodies can do that day.”

Image credits:

iStock/FatCamera


You may also like

Secret Florence: The Unseen Haunts of Botticelli

A cornerstone of the Florentine Renaissance, and widely considered one of the most influential artists of all time, Sandro Botticelli's legacy continues to impress over half a millennia since his death. His captivating depictions of mythological themes, characterised by graceful lines and pale hues, have inspired generations of creators across art, film, and fashion. Today, along the walls of the Botticelli rooms within the Uffizi Gallery, crowds queue ten-deep just to catch a glimpse of his most iconic works, The Birth of Venus and La Primavera.

Family Treasure Hunts Across Edinburgh, Brussels and Florence

As Christmas comes to Europe, it’s the perfect time for literary-minded families to write their own festive stories. This year, embrace the magic of the written word on a snow-dusted adventure, exploring cobbled city streets and uncovering clues and treasures at every turn. Guided by favourite characters who have inspired generations, embark on a unique excursion with your little ones before returning home to one of our warm hotels to tell Yuletide tales, gathered around a crackling fire.

The Perfect Family Christmas in Italy

A beguiling melange of light-strewn shopping streets, piazzas filled with market stalls and churches alive with candlelit concerts, Rome at Christmas is like a movie set come to life. Enjoy an extra-special celebration with your extended family at Rocco Forte House Rome, where five palatial apartments in a meticulously renovated 18th-century palazzo provide perfect home-from-homes for the festivities.